Retreats, Gatherings & Group Experiences

Where Meaningful Connections Happen

From leadership retreats and team-building events to family reunions, youth gatherings, nonprofit conferences, faith based worship, and celebrations, Camp Carter provides the space, support, and experiences your group needs to connect, grow, and thrive.

  • Just 15-Minutes from Downtown Fort Worth
  • 360 Acres of Natural Beauty
  • Lodging for 200+ Overnight Guests
  • Day Events for 500+ Attendees
  • Facilitated Team Building, Recreation & Adventure Activities
  • In-House Catering & Meeting Services Available

 

More Than a Venue. A Place with Purpose.

At YMCA Camp Carter, every gathering supports our mission of strengthening communities, developing leaders, growing appreciation for the environment, and creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to connect and grow.

Whether you’re hosting a strategic planning retreat, leadership summit, church retreat, family reunion, or celebration, our team helps create experiences that inspire relationships and lasting memories.

Flexible Spaces

Meeting rooms, lakeside views, outdoor venues, dining facilities, and gathering spaces designed for groups of every size.

Adventure & Team Building

Build trust, strengthen communication, and create unforgettable experiences through guided activities and outdoor adventures.

Overnight Accommodations

Comfortable lodging options for retreats, camps, conferences, and multi-day events.

Full-Service Support

Receive a dedicated Camp Host that works alongside you to customize a retreat experience that meets your goals and budget and serves you and your guests onsite for a fantastic experience.

Experiences Designed for Every Group

Corporate Retreats & Team Meetings

Escape the office and re-energize your team through strategic planning, leadership development, team building, and employee appreciation events.

Nonprofit & Community Organizations

Bring mission-focused leaders together for training, planning sessions, board retreats, conferences, and volunteer appreciation gatherings.

Church Groups & Faith Communities

Host spiritual retreats, worship services, leadership weekends, youth gatherings and fellowship events in our beautiful outdoor chapel or indoor gathering spaces.

Schools & Universities

Leadership development programs, student retreats, orientation events, athletic team retreats, and educational experiences.

Family Reunions & Celebrations

Celebrate milestones like birthdays and retirements, reconnect across generations, and create memories in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Weddings & Special Events

A unique natural backdrop for weddings, receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and special occasions.

Turn Your Gathering Into An Experience

Don’t just meet together. Experience something together. At YMCA Camp Carter, groups may customize their retreat with activities that foster fun, develop character, and allow guests to experience activities they can’t get anywhere else! Some popular activities include:

  • High Ropes Challenge Course
  • Climbing Opportunities
  • Team Building Initiatives
  • Canoeing
  • Archery
  • Equine Experiences
  • Field & Recreation Games
  • Campfires
  • Leadership Development Programs
  • Nature Exploration
  • Fishing, Reptiles, and Animal Care

FACILITIES & AMENITIES

Nature meets technology with our quality facilities and lakeside views. Immerse your team in a tranquil environment with locations that feature wrap around porches and nature sightings (like deer, goats, and beautiful foliage) without sacrificing the necessities of high speed Wi-Fi, a complete A/V set up, and a commercial kitchen.

Meeting & Conference Spaces

  • Large Dining Hall (up to 200 guests)
  • Small and Large Meeting Rooms
  • Breakout Rooms
  • Outdoor Gathering Areas
  • Covered Pavilions
  • Lakeside Settings

Technology

  • High-Speed Wi-Fi
  • Audio/Visual Capabilities
  • Tech Support
  • Camp-wide PA System

Accommodations

  • Overnight Lodging for 200+ Guests
  • Cabin-Style Housing
  • Leadership Suite-Style Housing
  • Group-Friendly Layouts

Dining

  • Catered Meals Available
  • Buffet Service
  • Custom Menus
  • Special Dietary Accommodations

 

 

 

Experience Camp Carter Without Booking a Retreat

Looking to experience Camp Carter without booking a full retreat or event? The Comanche Cabin is now available as a standalone Airbnb rental, offering a peaceful getaway surrounded by nature—just minutes from downtown Fort Worth.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, extending a retreat, reconnecting with nature, or exploring Fort Worth, the Comanche Cabin offers a comfortable home base with all the beauty and adventure of Camp Carter right outside your door.

Perfect for:

  • Weekend getaways & staycations
  • Couples and families
  • Nature lovers
  • Camp Carter alumni and supporters
  • Visitors looking to experience camp on their own

What They’re Saying About Camp

"This was our best Teen Retreat yet! We had a great and smooth retreat. The communication, organization and execution has been fabulous. Our Camp Host, Amber, is THE BEST! This summer has been the best summer for our group."
Cancer Care Services
"Everything was great, and thanks for being flexible when the activities went a little overtime. We will definitely book again.”"
Dallas Bulls
"Our Camp Host, Amber, was an absolute joy to work with and was very accommodating of our group's requests during pre-planning and while our group was onsite. She is very sweet and hard working!"
Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
"There was so much to do around the camp that it made each day filled with excitement. The staff is very accommodating and answered all of our questions to make sure this experience was a positive one. The help to prepare and make the whole weekend great was very appreciated."
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
"Thank you for your continued hospitality with the Piper Picnic."
Piper Family Reunion Picnic Group
"The staff and volunteers were great directing traffic and checking in on everything. The fee was reasonable. The parking was golden for vendors... The communication was clear so I knew exactly what to do."
Calhoun’s Country Smoke
Annual Chili Cook-Off Vendor
"Staff at activities were great. Felt safe. Engaged with our youth. Fun. Flexible. All good to say on all staff members."
Retreat Guest
Support

Your Event Creates Impact

When you host your retreat, gathering, or event at YMCA Camp Carter, your investment helps provide life-changing camp experiences, leadership development programs, outdoor education opportunities, and community initiatives for youth and families throughout our region. As the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening community, our goal is to not only serve community and corporate groups, but hundreds of children each year who seek affordable camping and outdoor experiences through our Financial Assistance Program.

Every gathering helps strengthen our community.

This is something hotels and conference centers cannot say.

Frequently Asked Questions

Camp Carter welcomes corporate teams, churches, schools, nonprofits, youth organizations, scout groups, sports teams, families, wedding parties, and any other community organizations or private parties. Whether you’re planning a retreat, conference, leadership event, celebration, or team-building experience, we can help customize your event.

Camp Carter can host everything from small leadership meetings and family gatherings to large events with hundreds of guests. We offer meeting spaces, outdoor venues, overnight lodging, and activity areas that can be customized for your group’s size and needs. Our largest events have been over 1,000 individuals!

Yes! Groups can reserve overnight cabins and, during select seasons, tent camping areas. Overnight retreats are popular with youth groups, churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, and leadership teams.

Available spaces include:

  • Retreat Center
  • Dining Hall
  • Conference Rooms
  • Rec Hall
  • Outdoor Covered Pavilion
  • Outdoor Chapel
  • The Point
  • Nature Center
  • Cabins and Camping Areas

Our team can help identify the best setup for your event.

Absolutely. Our most popular group experiences include low ropes initiatives, climbing programs, giant swing, zipline experiences, leadership development activities, and customized team-building programs designed to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration.

Groups may choose from a variety of activities, including:

  • Archery
  • Canoeing
  • Climbing Tower
  • Zipline
  • Giant Swing
  • Guided Hikes
  • Ceramics
  • Tie Dye
  • Hayrides
  • Swimming (seasonal)
  • Campfires
  • Animal Encounters
  • Equestrian Programming

Activity availability may vary by season and group size.

Camp Carter offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options with menus to choose from. We can provide everything from simple meals to full retreat catering packages. Most groups choose Camp Carter catering, while others prefer to bring meals, snacks, food trucks, or outside catering. Our team can review available options based on your event needs. If we’re able to meet the needs you’re seeking outside of Camp Carter, a catering fee may apply. We regularly work with groups requiring vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-sensitive, kosher, and halal meal accommodations. Please share dietary needs during the planning process so we can create an appropriate menu.

Yes. All of our meeting spaces can accommodate presentations, strategic planning sessions, board meetings, and training events. Available technology includes Wi-Fi, projectors or screens, microphones, and speakers.

Absolutely. We encourage prospective groups to schedule a site tour to explore facilities, discuss programming options, and see how Camp Carter can support your event goals. Common requests include site visits for retreats, conferences, weddings, and large gatherings. We also welcome you to take a virtual 360 tour here: https://ymcafw.org/camp-carter/tour/

Some adventure activities such as the zipline, giant swing, climbing tower, and challenge course elements have participant requirements for safety. Our staff will provide specific guidelines during the planning process.

Our team works with groups to develop contingency plans and can often provide alternative indoor spaces or adjusted schedules when weather conditions change, however, for safety in conjunction with local authorities, the American Camp Association, and Department of Heath and Human Services, we may not be able to fully execute your original plans.

Yes. Most groups create a customized experience that combines facilities, meals, lodging, activities, and team-building elements. We’ll work with you to design a retreat that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for weekends, spring and fall retreat seasons, summer group experiences, and large events. Popular dates can fill months in advance.

Camp Carter offers something traditional venues can’t: meaningful shared experiences in a community-oriented environment. In addition to meeting space and accommodations, your group can enjoy outdoor adventures, team-building activities, lakeside gathering areas, and a mission-driven environment that strengthens relationships and creates lasting memories. This is where people come to connect, grow, and experience something truly different.