Central Texas ranch to host Coca-Cola camp

By MANDY JOHN | Central Texas Edition

Karl Cloninger, ranch director, poses with Parrie and Expo. Photo by Mandy John -Staff photo by John

January 16, 2003 -- For the past ten years the Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch, which is located in Killeen, has offered young people from across the state an opportunity to come out for week-long summer camp sessions to learn hunting, boating, fishing and other outdoor skills. Starting this summer, the Coca-Cola Foundation will offer their Camp Coca-Cola program at the ranch.

"The Haynes family own and operated these camp facilities for about 60 years," stated ranch director Karl W. Cloninger, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "The late Parrie Haynes, widow of Alan Haynes, donated the Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch property to the State of Texas in 1957 to the orphaned children of Texas through the Texas Youth Commission."

Cloninger said that the ranch was in use for various purposes over the last twenty-five years. In 1993 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department leased the property and established the basis for an outreach program.

"In February 2002 representatives of the Camp Coca-Cola Foundation contacted us about the possible reconstruction of the ranch facilities and sponsorship of Camp Coca-Cola," Cloninger said.

"Throughout the summer of 2002 negotiations were held between the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Texas Youth Commission, and the Camp Coca-Cola Foundation and we finally acquired a fifteen-year lease. Camp Coca-Cola will occupy the ranch exclusively for ten weeks throughout the summer months and for two weeks during the off-season in exchange for their donation.

"The rest of the time we can rent out the facility to offer lodging, meeting space, camping sites, and food service for different groups and organizations. There are 4,425 acres at this ranch for people to choose from. Prices vary depending on what facility the group wants to use," Cloninger said.

He explained that at the moment, construction projects such as the remodeling of existing bunkhouse and kitchen facilities, building a new office and a new seasonal camp director's residence, and adding a new equestrian facility to the camp are in the works.

"Camp Coca-Cola is offered to those kids who are economically disadvantaged and might not otherwise have a chance to attend camp. They are looking for applicants in the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio area. In the future, they will consider looking in the more rural areas.

"The camp is offered to teach kids both character and leadership building skills. There are two four-weeks sessions and each session will hold 130 kids."

For more information on the Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch or the facilities, contact the ranch at (254) 634-9761.