Restoring a Retreat: Group gives Peaceable Kingdom a new start
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of PEACEABLE KINGDOM
“Forty people showed up — in the rain — with chainsaws, trash bags and weed trimmers, ready to help. That’s when I knew this thing was much bigger than us,” said Dr. Blayne Alaniz, Peaceable Kingdom’s executive director. “We want Central Texas to know that Peaceable Kingdom is back!”
A beloved part of Central Texas since it was founded by the Bowmer family in 1984, Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County has served Central Texas for more than 40 years as a place where children and adults with special needs can experience the outdoors. But when the camp was abandoned by its owners and put up for sale in late 2025, a group of local families — led by the Yowell family — decided that Peaceable Kingdom was worth saving.
They believed that the mission and legacy of this camp were worth investing in, and they chose to invest locally and give back to Bell County so that many more generations of kids could experience the outdoors in a disability-friendly way. This generous contribution from the Yowell family made saving the camp possible, and today Peaceable Kingdom is once again a fully-functioning, state licensed youth camp and retreat facility on 115 acres in Bell County, offering an accessible campus built specifically for campers of all abilities.
“The people leading PKRBC live here, know this community, and are invested in it personally. We are your neighbors and we want Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County to be a special place, just as the Bowmer family had intended,” Alaniz said. “Most of all, we believe in this mission. We are committed to this adventure, and we are in it for the long haul. This is not a short-term project for us. It is a lasting investment in Central Texas and in the families who call it home.”
Their mission has not changed, and they are ready to serve people of all abilities. Whether it be their summer camps, retreats, field trips, outdoor education, respite or special education programming, Alaniz and his staff are eager to bring Peaceable Kingdom back to what it once was.
“Every part of our camp, from the pool to the ropes course to the archery range, is designed to be accessible,” Alaniz said. “Families who’ve been told ‘We can’t accommodate your child’ have a place here and we are very proud of that!”
The camp, which had lain dormant for almost a year, transitioned owners in March. Alaniz was hired in April and they hosted a camp in June. Alaniz believes that the state licensing process, the support from the community, and the success of our summer camps were a testament to the impact of this camp and the desire our community has to bring it back and continue its legacy.
“We offer a safe, welcoming place for families and individuals with disabilities and differences — a space where they can experience the outdoors, build friendships, and be included,” Alaniz said. “For many of the families and organizations that serve people with disabilities that we work with, places like this are difficult to find.”
The Peaceable Kingdom organization also hopes to continue building and rebuilding relationships with local stakeholders, including schools, hospitals, and disability-serving organizations across the region, reaching families who might not otherwise know they are here.
“Strong partnerships are how we reach the families who need us most,” Alaniz said.
The organization also plans to keep investing in the camp by improving the grounds and infrastructure, which is a long-term investment for both the board and Alaniz personally. More than anything, they desire Peaceable Kingdom to be a place Central Texas is proud of — a camp where children with special needs and their families feel they belong, and where the community sees the impact firsthand.
Peaceable Kingdom’s programs provide inclusive, outdoor experiences designed for individuals of all abilities. Through recreational activities and structured programming, participants build confidence, develop independence, and form meaningful connections. But the camp also offers retreats and respite programs, giving individuals and families a peaceful setting to rest, recharge, and connect and providing caregivers with reliable, short-term support while ensuring participants enjoy a safe, enjoyable, and supportive environment.
Field trip and day camp experiences are also available, providing hands-on outdoor education experiences that encourage exploration, learning, and environmental awareness. These programs are designed to be accessible, engaging, and aligned with educational goals.
The retreat center also provides a beautiful and unique setting for corporate groups to gather, collaborate, and build stronger teams. Through customized experiences, organizations can connect with their team while experiencing nature.
Over the years, Peaceable Kingdom has become a trusted resource for families across Central Texas, serving thousands of children and caregivers. Today, made possible by the remarkable generosity of the Yowell family and supported by the Bass and Dorroh families, Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County continues this legacy — building on a strong foundation of compassion, inclusion, and community while creating meaningful outdoor experiences for individuals of all abilities.
