So to start: the Cafeteria food was pretty darn good. I can't believe I'm saying that. Maybe…read moreafter a day of activities it just tasted better. But I remember going to camp when I was a kid and we got spoiled milk. Like stringy and sour smelling as you poured it. And it was one dish for the entire table. Here it's buffet style. As much as you want. They accommodated for vegetarians. Like on hamburger day they had huge portobello mushrooms to make a shroom burger. Ice cream cups and bombsicles and my favorite Orange dreamsicles in their self serve fridge. Twice a week in the summer they had BBQ down by the river. I think some of the activities you gotta reserve in advance. Like way in advance. For example archery - 1 month in advance. They got zip line and ropes course too that probably require reservations. They're very modest courses. Like zip line is just one line. I think there's a critter museum with some of the local wildlife there (bugs etc). No reservation required for the canoes however. And there are some nice small rapids with natural water slides for young kids to enjoy as well as a free man made slide that looks kinda intense. If you put your feet in the river minnows will come up and nibble on them. Like a fish spa. And of course they have an iconic rope on the tree like all good camps have. Swimming pool is there for those who don't like the Guadalupe river (but river is super clean and you can see to the bottom). Accommodations were surprisingly decent. Clean. No bugs. Shampoo, bar soap and towels provided at least at the Flato lodge which were apartment style with nice little shares balcony with room next door. They have a small cafe on site with soda fountain ($20 tumbler gets you unlimited refills for the year). Little hiking trails. Several resident indoor chill cats who hang out at the various building like Mabee Building, their museum (ask for the key), etc. Mostly multiple church groups booking here at the same time but different facilities. The place is large. Despite being church groups some of the high school campers were dropping the F bomb left and right in the cafeteria. Actually heard some of the staff doing the same. Staff was all polite and are young international folks from various countries like Hungary, Spain, Australia, UK, Mexico and other places. Was a nice getaway and just what the doctor ordered.

I want to start by responding to the review left by "S S" in 2021. Braun House at Mo Ranch was…read moreformerly staff housing, now converted to rental space. The advertising for it that I found online shows pics of all bedrooms and shows the beds, so I don't understand SS complaining about that. The high cost reflects the fact that you are renting the entire house (3 BR, two bath, laundry room, etc., sleeps 10. See https://www.moranch.org/stay-at-mo-ranch/group-lodging-at-mo-ranch/braun-house-mo-ranch/. )There are less expensive options at Mo. It's a valid complaint that the toilet and fridge weren't clean and that there were droppings. The charge of "unresponsive staff" is vague - does that mean she got nowhere with expressing her concerns to the front office? That hasn't been my experience. As far as being unaware that it's a "religious" site, it's a Presbyterian camp & conference center and there is absolutely no pushing of religion on any guest, ever. But I acknowledge that Air B&B or whoever posts it should note that it's part of a conference center property. Okay, here's my take. My family has stayed at Mo Ranch probably 15 times, for several days each time, on both church retreats and family reunions. There have been occasional glitches, which were resolved to our satisfaction. It is a wonderful place for families, with lots for kid to do. The Wynne/Flato lodge accommodations are as nice or nicer than many commercial hotels I've stayed at. We've stayed in both Pheasant Run and Wynne/Flato, which includes cafeteria-style meals, and barbecue by the river on Fridays in the summer; as well as the Guest Lodge by the river, where we had a kitchen and could prepare our own meals. It's a beautiful location with a great history. I'm sorry that "SS" didn't have the same good experience as most every other poster here did. Oh, and P.S.: we've been using the water slide since YEARS before they added the side rails! It is definitely safe.

I am 78 years old. I went to the then-standard six week session at Camp Waldemar for four summers…read morebetween ages 11 and 14. That time remains a highlight of my life. Why? It was my first experience of having my own identity, of not being an appendage of my family, dear though they were. In addition, I learned values not common in a small town in Oklahoma: Grace, beauty, striving to get things right, sometimes by practicing them over and over (swimming, canoe drills, horseback riding, kindness, table manners, pottery, even archery and riflery, for example.) Mainly, however, it was just plain fun! I made sure my sons went to a boys camp in North Carolina of the same philosophy. It paid off.

Camp Waldemar hosted my three-day wedding weekend and they were truly wonderful to work with. Lori,…read morethe event coordinator, answered emails quickly (which was necessary planning the wedding from Boston) and anticipated issues well beforehand. The cabins were clean, facilities wonderful and the food was seriously some of the best my guests ever had. Get the brisket! If you're looking for a real Texas destination -- where guests don't need to drive all over the Hill Country for a river, BBQ, horses and some truly gorgeous landscape, this is the place!

We had our wedding at Camp Tecaboca and it was an amazing experience! When deciding where to have…read moreour wedding several locations came to mind but nothing was more exciting than Tecaboca. In college, I went to retreats here and have wonderful memories of the Marianist Brothers and the staff. Now, years later, I hoped to find the same love and Marianist spirit that once managed this property. I was so happy to find that Tecaboca is still going strong! Kay and the team were great at communicating with us to make sure all our needs were met leading up to the wedding. They also connected us with Fr. Jim Mueller who was amazing and perfect for our wedding. We rented Tecaboca for the weekend and were able to give our guests a mini-retreat with a beautiful wedding on the lake. Everyone kept talking about how beautiful, relaxing and perfect everything was. We are so grateful for Camp Tecaboca and the amazing people that keep it going!

I went to this camp twice when I was a youngster. The first time, I was six and very homesick…read more The second time, I was 10 and my male cousin went with me. It taught me a lot of skills such as making my bed like in the service, cleaning the toilet and sink of our bath, etc. Every morning, we had to go to mass early and kneel on the concrete floors. The second time I went, on my last day, they said since I was not Catholic, I did not have to kneel. Great timing. Seriously, a very nice place, archery, swimming, riflemanship, were taught with the student having respect for himself and his game. This was nearly sixty years ago, and I remember it like yesterday. The entrance, driving over the one lane bridge over the water sticks in my mind. Prepare your son for the loneliness at first, but it will be worth it.

I went in 1962 as a boy 6 years old. I did the first session and I stayed through the second…read moresession. I had a blast. Swimming, hiking and archery.

Was a long time Camper at Camp Stewart. If there is one thing I could do for the rest of my life…read moreI'd be a kid at Camp Stewart. So many great memories created and many skills learned.

My daughter had so much fun at Camp Heart O' the Hills! She enjoyed her 7 years there.read more

Summers spent at Heart O' the Hills are invaluable! It's the perfect setting for a girl to be a kid…read more-- spending her days having fun in a tech free environment, creating lasting friendships, trying new things, conquering fears, becoming strong, resilient and independent. Spending my formative years at The Heart have made me who I am today, which is why my daughters are doing the same. I couldn't ask for a better girls summer camp than Heart O' the Hills.

My grandson had the best time at Rio Vista and can't wait to go back in 2026! He loved the people,…read morethe activities, the whole camp!

Spent the month of June at Rio Vista, two years in a row, many years ago. It was a great…read moreexperience, and I would have stayed the entire summer had I been given the opportunity.

I was a volunteer counselor for multiple weeks and everyone had an amazing time. Health care staff…read moreis fantastic and prepared for anything. All staff are well trained and can accommodate anything. Wide array of activities from archery, swimming, horseback, night time dance and a carnival. The community here is amazing and if you're thinking about it then this is your sign to go.

This is a very special CAMP. For one, the place prides itself on the lack of barriers for campers…read moreto gain entry. They accept campers with severe disabilities which makes them unique not just to the state of Texas but to the nation. This place changes lives, helps build confidence in children, and enriches the lives of all that it serves.

Everyone around us had mentioned going to this camp when they were little and all the memories and…read moredescribed the fun they had! I'm was hesitant to send my children away for an entire week without any form of communication other than a post-card, but from what people described they would have an amazing time and boy did they! I would recommend doing the open house when you have an opportunity. It gives you a little peace of mind knowing what they will be doing and how it all works. Riverside is a little older but it doesn't disappoint! Hilltop is a newer camp with nicer amenities but both camps were awesome. I sent my children, one boy, one girl to the second week of camp. My daughter was at Riverside and my son at Hilltop. They separate the camps between boys and girls. I think it gives the kiddos a sense of freedom from having to be around the opposite sex and just focus on sister/brother hood. They do a lot of activities with each other though and each camp visits the other camp quite often. They do dances, plays, competitions! The camp takes photos daily of your kiddos and I lived for them! They uploaded them sometimes by the hour, but usually by the next day! When I would see photos of my son and daughter smiling, laughing and having a great time it really eased this mama's aching and lonely heart. When I picked them up, they both were talking over each other describing how amazing this camp was. I had to make them talk one at a time. Not just from the activities but the counselors who made it amazing! The camp really focuses on ensuring they have quality, caring, professional, compassionate and amazing counselors! These counselors have all been to the camp themselves so they know they have big shoes to fill! They ensure every kid is looked after and ensure each child is cared for. They understand how scary it can be to be away from their family so they make sure every kid is taken care of. They do not tolerate bullying and ensure, if it happens, it stops immediately. No child is ever alone, well except taking a shower and using the restroom. However, they are escorted pretty much everywhere to ensure their security! The entire way home, my kids were sharing with me their wonderful experience, the songs they sung and of course the friends they made during the camp! My kids wanted to go back! So back we went to another week but to Hermann Son's first ever co-ed extended 10-day camp! Boy oh boy! If I missed them for the one week, I definitely missed them more during that long week. However, again, seeing my kid's smiling faces and then coming back to them being so incredibly happy and excited! I'm thinking about sending them several weeks here because it's always different! They are engaged and just had a wonderful time! We will definitely be back again this summer but possibly more weeks! We shall see how this mama does!! You and your kids will NOT be disappointed!! They will LOVE this camp!

Buyer beware. To attend the camp You must sign up for a…read morelife insurance policy which is difficult to cancel. Additionally the customer service is poor at best. I would avoid at all costs. The camp itself was underwhelming, look elsewhere

I worked at temporary job at Lyons camp so I really didn't meet Lions camp employees. The camp…read moreitself is nice. I used to live next-door to it so I know exactly what it's about.

As an 8 year camper myself, daughter who was a Mystic summer counselor while attending University…read moreof Texas during her school years, grand-daughter a 10 yr, camper, now a counselor in training, our Family loves all the wonderful things in our life at Mtstic, like sharing, caring and loving all peoples ,listening to others, respect all, following rules, making new and lifelonf friends and many more good traits, memories, and friends! I hate that grand-mothers cannot go back and swim in the Guadulpe one more time!!! You cannot get any better than this for your daughters,grands,cousins,sisters,etc, Mystic is family at it's BEST! Angele Schleeter Fanning '56-'63

This is something I sent to Camp Mystic expressing my gratitude:…read moreI just want everyone to know how grateful I am for the life altering experiences you have given to Mica. I'll never forget when she was barely seven years old, speaking to her about your camp (which we had thoroughly researched and had many wonderful recommendations!). I thought MAYBE she could go that first year for the short term. Or even start the following year. But Mica is a determined young lady and she let it be known she wanted to go the full term that first year. I think (no, I KNOW) it was much harder on me than it was on her that first year!!! But, it turned out even better than I could ever have imagined! And with the online access to photos and events and her letters, my feelings were assuaged. And then I saw her happiness that first moment at Round Up... Mica had fallen in love with Camp Mystic and everything it represents. My only concern is when she is too old to go or return hopefully as a counselor!! Camp Mystic has helped form and reinforce values at the core level. By going every year since she was little, it has had an amazing impact on her that will continue throughout her life. AND the friendships formed will be life long, I'm sure. As her Mom, I owe everyone there eternal gratitude. It is one of the best decisions we have made for her. I don't mean to be overly sentimental, but everything I say is true and then some.