Smart planning leads to Ultra-Accessible™ experiences at Morgan’s Camp
Morgan’s Camp is a 102-acre recreational oasis, just north of San Antonio, Texas. The camp is located within a majestic geography that transitions from urban landscape to the rolling hills and canyons of the Texas Hill Country. Here, people—with and without special needs—enjoy curated outdoor activities, experiences, and events.
“The camp exemplifies our vision for creating places where people of all ages and abilities can come together for fun and for a better understanding of one another,” says Gordon Hartman, founder of Morgan’s Wonderland theme park, Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, and other fully inclusive, Ultra-Accessible™ entities. “It epitomizes the core mission of parent company Morgan’s Wonderland—to improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages and abilities.”
Completed in 2022, the $34-million venue was constructed in only 16 months. The project involved the installation of 42 vertical improvements, including buildings and other structures, covering nearly 5 acres. Morgan’s Camp provides experiences for up to 500 campers per session, plus Family Weekends and Partner Camps.
“We believe Morgan’s Camp constitutes another of the world’s greatest places for inclusive, barrier-free recreation,” Hartman says. “It features more than 20 major elements, including ziplines and a challenge course like none other. Meticulous adaptations enable those with special needs to enjoy thrilling attractions just like everyone else. All in all, we’re proud to offer our guests an array of activities and facilities in a positive, uplifting environment.”
Building The Vision For Exceptional Facility Design
“Intentional design prioritizes making facilities accessible and enriching for all guests, regardless of ability,” says Dr. Brent Fields, CEO of Morgan’s. “Thoughtful, adaptive design transforms spaces into welcoming environments where everyone can engage fully.” In addition, he says inclusive facilities should incorporate adaptable layouts and features, ranging from adjustable seating to technology that enhances the experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
The camp facilities include a wide range of structures and building types. Highlights include a stable and arena, a nature center, an enclosed sports pavilion, an arts-and-crafts center with a library and a digital photo room, 20 cabins, a 16,450-square-foot Welcome Center (with a 3,293-square-foot kitchen and dining hall), a 5,093-square-foot health center, a camp store, and a maintenance facility.
The dining hall, arena, gym/arts building, and maintenance facilities were all created with metal-building system technology. Metal buildings are typically constructed in about a third of the time it takes to build a wood or concrete structure. In this case, the metal buildings included in the initial camp master plan were designed, manufactured, delivered, and erected in five months.
Planning-Phase Collaboration Enables Cost And Design Efficiencies
From the outset of the planning process, the design team, general contractor, and owner embraced a cost-effective, collaborative, and time-sensitive approach to building the structures quickly and efficiently. This team included Stalwart Contracting, the general contractor; Red Dot Buildings, the metal-building supplier; Luna Architects, the designers; Lehmann Engineering as the engineer of record; and the owner’s representatives.
“While on the project team, we were dedicated to seeing this important endeavor through to cost-conscious completion while striving for excellence,” says Darrell Geisendorff, vice president of sales with Red Dot. “Using our skills for a cause that will impact so many lives gave us a strong focus and an excitement about the project.”
The original design of the 33,103-square-foot dining hall featured a timber drive-in entrance with wooden columns along the front perimeter of the building, as well as tongue-and-groove, under-hanging soffit that integrated with the metal building components. As the design evolved, the collaboration between Red Dot and Lehmann gave Red Dot the opportunity to suggest replacing the timber with steel. During this period, the price and lead time for lumber were increasing, which made the shift to steel an attractive option. Metal roof and wall panels on the exterior were finished in rich earth tones to blend into the ruggedly beautiful Hill Country landscape.
One important consideration in choosing metal-building systems over wood or concrete was design flexibility. The metal buildings allow for the dramatic eave heights, which are needed for many applications, such as the sports facilities and arenas. In addition, the column-free spaces inherent in metal buildings provide impressive open areas in excess of 400 feet. As an added value, the column-free interiors allow for the camp’s unique user requirements, adapting the physical layout to accommodate a wide range of individual needs.
The combined gym and arts building covers 16,644 square feet. One portion houses an indoor gymnasium with a retractable glass overhead door on one side. On the opposite side of the structure is a creative arts studio, which has a lower eave height and plenty of open space for group activities.
The arena is a standalone structure measuring 33,763 square feet, located near the stables. The conceptual design for the riding arena evolved into a straightforward application for a metal building. Red Dot provided a SketchUp design featuring an R-panel roof, complemented by over 40 polycarbonate skylight panels. These allow for natural light to support daytime activities while also providing protection from the elements. Daylight, it should be noted, has also been proven to provide significant health value, benefiting physical and mental/emotional well-being.
Beyond skylights, building-efficiency goals were enhanced by choosing an appropriate insulation solution for the metal buildings. “At Morgan's Camp, the insulation offered significant benefits,” explains Dan Seitz, a regional manager with Silvercote. “Beyond meeting the energy code, the right solution increases energy efficiency by maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing heating and cooling demands. This leads to lower energy costs and a more sustainable operation."
The most palpable benefit is that proper insulation creates a more comfortable environment for campers, staff, and visitors, thus making the camp experience more enjoyable. "Insulation can dampen external noises, providing a more peaceful environment, which is especially beneficial for those with sensory sensitivities," says Robert Tiffin, national account manager with Silvercote. Overall, the right insulation solution is a valuable investment for both the functionality and comfort of the facility, making Morgan’s Camp a welcoming and supportive place for all.
People, Profits, And Philanthropy Unite
Admission fees for Morgan’s Camp are affordable and include options for tiered pricing for families and groups. Individuals with special needs are eligible for additional discounts.
Philanthropic companies provided the initial funds to bring Morgan’s Camp from vision to reality. Valero Energy Corporation is a founding partner of Morgan’s Camp, committing $15 million to jumpstart construction. In addition, Valero’s senior executives added considerably more to that total.
“Morgan’s is amazing, and its simply phenomenal growth has led to the creation of Morgan’s Camp,” says Joe Gorder, former Valero Chairman and CEO. “This camp creates an environment free of limitations and restrictions that allows those with special needs to enjoy the same activities as others, together, equally…it is a blessing to so many.”
A key project partner is the Edwards Aquifer Authority, which funded the $2.5-million, 9,000-square-foot EAA Education Outreach Center. In addition, the Bexar (pronounced “bear”) County Sheriff’s Office provided funding by locating a regional substation at the camp to shorten response times when citizens in northern Bexar County call for assistance.
The location of Morgan’s Camp is a short 20-minute drive from Morgan’s Wonderland, making the two locations convenient for guests from across the state and visitors from around the world. The opening of Morgan’s Camp also furthered San Antonio’s growing reputation as “Inclusion City, USA,” a moniker that its city council instituted in 2015.
Geisendorff summed up the design and construction efforts when explaining the perception and focus of the builder’s team. “We were hyper-focused on this project because it was for a very good cause,” he says. “When you see the significance and purpose of a project that serves so many people, it is easy to pour in your energy for the benefit of all.”
Planning For Success
Constructing and renovating facilities is a challenge for facility owners because it’s not part of their typical professional activities. When planning an organization’s next building project, leaders should keep the following ideas in mind:
- When evaluating design and construction teams, choose those with the experience and credentials that prove they can provide quality solutions. While many firms may have solid track records, ensure they have designed similar facilities so leaders can view those buildings to verify the team’s past work exemplifies the quality that meets a project’s standards and needs. For metal-building systems, look for a supplier that has third-party accreditation with the International Accreditation Service’s AC472 program.
- Be sure that on-time and on-budget delivery is consistently provided by the team under consideration. Contact their clients and make sure past goals were met. Leaders should have confidence that the chosen team will be sincerely committed to on-time/on-budget expectations.
- Look for building professionals who will buy-in to a project’s cause, dream, and goals. Many firms may have the adequate background, but will they be true partners in helping an organization achieve success? Synergy, commitment, and trust are all elements that make a good project great.
Envisioning Morgan’s
With over $150 million in assets, 150+ acres of land, and over 300 employees, Morgan’s serves as the umbrella organization that oversees and supports five Ultra-Accessible™, fully inclusive entities. Serving as an advocate for inclusion and accessibility, Morgan’s strives to improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages and abilities through initiatives that produce fully inclusive, Ultra-Accessible™ experiences. For more information, visit Morgans.org.
