The Camp Thunderbird board of directors invites the public to an open house to be held at the Mimbres Valley camping and retreat center on Saturday, August 17th.

Founded in 1947 by the Reverend Harold Johnson, the facility originally served as a Boy Scout camp, with buildings constructed by volunteers using logs harvested on the property. The facilities, with additions over the years, currently include three dormitory-style bunkhouses with capacities of thirty each, two rest room/shower buildings, caretaker residence, screened-in recreation building, large, covered gazebo, outdoor chapel and the main lodge, which can seat 125 people for meals. Other amenities include a fire pit, basketball/volleyball court, swing set and picnic tables with barbecues.

Currently operated by a non-denominational Christiamity-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, Camp Thunderbird is open to all and for multiple uses including camping, weddings, retreats, and reunions. “We’ve hosted a variety of groups over the years,” per Camp Thunderbird board president Shirley Mize, “including the Cobre High football team, which held opening practices at the camp, and touring cyclists.”
The open house will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm. Light refreshments will be served. There will be giveaways as well as t-shirt sales and a collection of camp historical photos will be on display.

A highlight of the open house will the introduction of a new Thunderbird-themed road sign, created by Camp Thunderbird board member and Silver City artist, Tom Manning.

For more information on Camp Thunderbird, call 575-536-9560 or visit their web site at http://campthunderbirdnewmexico.org/

The camp is located on NM35, 13 miles from the intersection with NM152.