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.

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.

We (Medina Community Church) had a marriage retreat at Deer Creek Camp in September of 2022. It…read morewas our church's first marriage retreat, and everyone at Deer Creek went above and beyond to make the retreat successful. The Camp is beautiful, and you know you will have a good experience from the moment you start down the drive. There are a variety of activities available for all ages. Our retreat was primarily in the pavilion, but our attendees enjoyed spreading out over the camp for our break-out sessions. It was a joy to work with the full-time staff! They are wonderful Christian people, and we loved having the staff join us at different times. They make you feel like you are part of their family. Deer Creek Camp catered all three meals for us, and the food was wonderful. The breakfast and lunch were tasty, and there were a number of options to please everyone. Our evening dinner was a nice sit-down dinner, and the food was delicious. Alma knows how to cook! The coffee and smoothie bar was also enjoyed by our couples. The drinks were delicious. The staff and the interns who served us at dinner were fabulous. They were respectful young men and women who went out of their way to make sure the meal was a pleasure for our married couples. They were obviously well-trained, as they were better than servers we have had in nice restaurants. We strongly recommend Deer Creek Camp for your retreats or other events. It is our go-to place for events for all ages.

2021 will be our son's third year attending Deer Creek Camp's Friends Week. He has the absolute…read morebest time while he is there. Even the first year I had no reservations leaving him in their care. This is the most amazing camp ever. My only regret is that we didn't know about them sooner! Lynda N. 04/10/2021 Odessa, TX

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!

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.

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.

Kickapoo Kamp , was my home away from home . I wished I could have lived there all year . Amazing…read moreexperiences. I loved everything about Kickapoo . I loved it so much my children went there and had the time of their lives . Very fond memories at Kickapoo . GO CHEROKEES

My daughter has attended every year since she was eight. Highly recommend. She's made lifelong…read morefriends and loved each year.

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.