The Burke Foundation was founded in 1973 as a non-profit corporation to provide substitute care and therapeutic treatment for children who are dependent, neglected, abused, emotionally disturbed, and/or learning disabled. To date, more than 2,100 children have been helped by Burke Foundation programs. The Burke Foundation is exempt from Federal Income Tax as a 501©(3) tax-exempt foundation.

Pathfinders Camp is located in Driftwood, Texas, approximately 18 miles southwest of Austin. It is licensed by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services as a Therapeutic Camp. Students are boys only, ages 11 to 17. The program is designed to provide services for emotionally disturbed and learning disabled boys lacking skills necessary for successful community living. Most of our campers have failed at home, at school, and in their communities. Pathfinders Camp is not a boot camp, but is an out-of-doors therapeutic adventure in a wilderness setting. The campers sleep in permanent shelters, cook meals over campfires, and are involved in the Boy Scouts of America program. This setting enables them to grow in self-esteem, respect for self and others, and to gain skills in peer cooperation and social behavior. Therapeutic counseling is provided on regular basis for all campers. Accredited academics for campers is provided at the campsite by certified special education teachers under the supervision of the Charter School of the University of Texas at Austin.

The Burke Foundation Child Placing Agency accepts boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in need of a therapeutic family-style program. The program is licensed by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services as a Child Placing Agency. Therapeutic foster homes are located throughout Texas. The typical child needs structure and security to learn how to interact as an effective family member. They are challenged to immerse themselves successfully into the public school and community settings. Through the support and role modeling of well-trained therapeutic foster parents, the children learn to trust and to develop familial bonds. Therapeutic counseling is provided on a regularly scheduled basis. Many graduates of our Pathfinders Camp program have gone on to live in one of our foster homes after successful completion of their camping experience. Children are placed with families in the community, attend public school in their communities, participate in community functions, and live as family members under the supervision and guidance of well-trained therapeutic foster parents.