Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center

Historical Information

The Camacho Activity Center building opened in September of 2000, dedicated in honor of community matriarch Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho. Mrs. Camacho lived on Canterbury Street for more than 40 years and was a passionate advocate for children and the strength of her community. She volunteered for many years with the Reading Is Fundamental program and became a trusted figure among neighborhood children, offering them protection and guidance as if they were her own. Her home served as one of the first McGruff Houses, a safe house for children in need. Mrs. Camacho dedicated countless hours to improving the lives of her neighbors and the children of her community. Her legacy of service and care continues at the Camacho Activity Center, where her commitment to community thrives.

Fall 2024 Programs

Youth & Teen Programs

Dirt Divas is a fun outdoor adventure program for girls 7-12, featuring biking, kayaking, crafts, and more, all led by an all-female staff to build leadership skills!

Cubs Club is an outdoor adventure program for kids 5-11, split into two age groups, with awesome activities like kayaking, biking, hiking, archery, and more, all tailored to keep them engaged and having fun!

Our Learn-2-Ride program is designed to teach kids how to ride a bike quickly and confidently, helping them master the skills in no time!

The Easy Riders program is the next step up from Learn-2-Ride, where we help new riders improve their skills through guided group fun rides, teaching them how to navigate trails and enjoy biking with confidence!

The Youth Bike Club is the next level up from Easy Riders, dedicated to increasing mileage, enjoying the health benefits of biking, and socializing while having fun riding together, all while continuing to enhance biking skills!

The Teen Bike Club is designed for teens of all biking levels, focusing on fun, exercise, and fostering mental, social, and physical health through mountain biking. We explore trails all over Austin and beyond, including some out-of-town trips, while helping teens learn new skills, gain confidence on the trail, and enjoy riding in a supportive group setting. Join us for a season of adventure, learning, and fun on the trails!

Our C-Day Camps are full-day programs focused on outdoor recreation, designed to keep kids active and engaged during AISD school breaks, excluding longer holiday, spring, and summer camps. With a variety of fun outdoor activities, these camps offer an exciting way for kids to enjoy their time off!

Our Break Camps are designed to provide engaging activities during prolonged school breaks, including Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break. With options like filmmaking, biking, rock climbing, and more, these camps give kids the chance to stay active and explore new interests while having a blast!

Varsity (ages 50+) & Family Programs

Join us on Friday evenings for our Family Kayaking program, where we'll paddle as a group on the beautiful Lady Bird Lake towards downtown Austin at sunset. Enjoy the chance to see some wildlife and maybe even catch a glimpse of the bats at South Congress Bridge while creating lasting memories with your family!

Varsity Kayaking is a fun program for those ages 50+ looking to enjoy kayaking in a guided group setting. We paddle on Lady Bird Lake and also offer off-site trips to explore various waterways in Central Texas. Join us for an exciting and social kayaking experience!

Varsity Hiking is a great program for those ages 50+ who want to explore the outdoors and stay active. Join us for guided hikes in beautiful locations around the Austin and Central Texas area, offering a chance to enjoy nature, socialize, and get some exercise while having fun!

Holly Shores Vision Plan

Camacho Floating Dock and Kayak and Canoe Storage

At the Camacho Activity Center, we love getting our participants out on the water in our kayaks and canoes. For over 20 years, we've been hauling boats in and out of storage containers and up and down a hill to reach our dock. That’s why we’re excited to announce that a new storage space and dock will be installed as part of the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon at Festival Beach Vision Plan!

Equipment storage for the Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center water programming was initially proposed as part of the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. at Festival Beach Vision Plan. However, due to budget constraints the plan to provide storage was initially removed as a goal. Fortunately, Parkland Dedication Funding has since been allocated to provide for a new floating dock with storage.

This floating dock will provide on-water storage for kayaks, canoes, and other boating equipment, replacing the containers we currently use. By streamlining access to our equipment and improving our storage space, we’ll be able to accommodate more participants and provide an enhanced experience in our water programs.

Additionally, the dock will feature enhanced ADA access, allowing individuals of all abilities to fully participate in our activities. The dock will also have a designated public area, separated from program use by a lockable gate. We’re excited about the positive impact these enhancements will have on our programs and our participants!

Anticipated Schedule

• Design: Spring to Summer 2024
• Permitting: Fall 2024 to Spring 2025
• Construction: Summer 2025

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Site Supervisor:  Ryan Eaker

Program Coordinator: Athan Bernal

Program Specialist:  Theron Sweet

Program Specialist: Elena Christopher

Building and Grounds Assistant: Art Torres