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

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.

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.

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 sent both of our children all the way from SC to attend Indian Springs. The activities and…read morecounselors are top-notch. Safety is a priority and fun the top goal. As the kiddos like to say, "Everybody is somebody at Camp Longhorn." Our children attended for 12+ years a piece. One is an introvert and the other an extrovert, and they both loved it. Nan, Bobby, Carley, Matt and Mark Manning were WONDERFUL keeping us posted on our kid's spirits from five states away. The email system to contact campers and the daily photos of all the fun under the Texas sun were a bonus! No place on earth where truer friends you'll know... Camp Longhorn!

Camp Longhorn is an unbelievable place!!! I attended as a camper, counselor, and now my children…read moreare campers. While Camp Longhorn is an amazing place, it is the staff that truly makes it a place like no other. It is the highlight of their summer each year. I am beyond blessed that my parents sent me to CLH years ago and I now get to share it with my kids.

Two things I would suggest be done differently. Now don't get me wrong my daughter and I love Sugar…read moreand Spice Ranch. She has no dissatisfaction. So much so I am sending her back for the week long summer camp, summer 2021 which runs at $1100. My daughter and I did a women's only weekend $750. I feel fortunate that Leigh let us have the Ranch to ourselves and didn't book anyone else. I would have been disappointed to share our digs with another family. Accommodations are fantastic for little girls at camp. Four bunk beds, on the main floor and two lofts with two bunk beds each. That was not communicated that if another family booked we would be sharing living arrangements. Also, I would have preferred an itinerary before hand. Leigh did communicate once we arrived dinner was at 6 and at dinner communicated the rest of the itinerary. 3 day weekends: Friday: Check in at 3 PM, dinner at 6. No horse time, but you have free time and there is a pool. Saturday: Breakfast 8 a.m. Horse ride right after breakfast. Lunch 12 p.m. horse ride right after. Then free time till dinner at 6. Sunday: Breakfast 8 a.m and a horse ride right after. Meals are homemade and delicious. Leigh has skills in the kitchen, including homemade breads! Your children will be well fed. Leigh is a likable person and the conversation at meals are fun. I love the time spent learning to groom our horses. You get to know your horse well and you ride the same one all weekend. I would do it again for my daughter, I would just pack pajamas in case we aren't the only ones there. My daughter was in love with all the dogs and cats on the ranch too. There were six dogs and I'm not a dog person but I kind-of loved them all too. Two of them protected us by staying on our porch. Which I liked because at night it does get scary. Its a ranch, out of the way, quiet, huge, and feels very much isolated. Great during sunlight! This is a really nice getaway. My daughter looks forward to returning.

From the owner: Sugar and Spice Ranch Specializes in Mother/Daughter retreats and getaways for bonding through…read morehorseback riding and equine activities

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

This is the best camp EVER! I have been going here for 2 year's and I will defiantly come every…read moreyear that I can. This camp help's you become a better person by practicing the 4 R's (Responsibility, reaching out, reasonable risk, and respect). Everybody there is nice and kind. My first day ever going, I was so nervous that I wouldn't make any friends but when I first met my cabin mates, I felt like we've been friends for ever. The cabins don't have any air conditioning but they do have fans and on the bright side it's cold in the morning but that's the fun of it. The bathrooms are grows but that stuff does not matter. What does matter is the fun of camp. Their is always so much to do. You could never get bored. From sitting at the hearth (the place were fine arts is) too climbing the rock wall, your always having fun. There are also many water activity such as pool, paddle sports, free swim, ski, knee boar, tubing, blobbing, etc.

Our 9 year old son just finished his second summer session (3 straight weeks of sleep-away camp in…read morenon-air conditioned cabins with no direct parental contact or tech devices allowed) at Camp Champions on Lake LBJ in Marble Falls and before we even left the property, he was asking us to sign up for next year. That right there is a glowing endorsement, folks. As budget-minded, practical parents, it was a tough sell for us at first. This camp, while phenomenal on the surface with a long history of success since 1967 and amenities & growth experiences galore, costs almost an arm & a leg. I'm saying our whole family of 3 could go to Europe for the cost of the 3 weeks for 1 kid here (an hour's drive from Austin). Why would we make the sacrifice and commit to this quite pricey annual tradition? As Brian J mentions in his excellent review, it's the 4 Rs that Camp Champions models in every staff member and enforces every day in all of the campers: Responsibility, Respect, Reasonable Risk, and Reaching out to others. You will never find another summer program with such enthusiastic and caring owners, staff members, teen counselors, and youth participants. Sure, it all looks great on paper, but it's truly fantastic in practice. Participants learn how to: live with 8 other "siblings"; share responsibility for their living space; maintain a caring community; manage conflict; support others in need; self-regulate; appreciate nature; honor elders; step up as a leader; and try something new & challenging every day. Yes, these are all lessons that we teach within our family, but there's nothing like having these kinds of experiences in an environment outside of the group of people who have to love you because you're a blood relative. The maturation that I see in my singleton child each year after the Camp Champions experience is priceless to me. What else? Fun, of course! The property is gigantic, with every kind of summer activity you can imagine, from swimming (lake & pool) to ropes course to skiing to sailing to climbing to archery to horses to go carts to arts/crafts to gaga & pickle ball. You can tour the camp virtually here: http://www.campchampions.com/campers/video-map-tour. There are also the Trojan/Spartan color battles, evening torch lighting, Sunday vespers, and hundreds of other little inside jokes, rituals, and traditions that make campers feel that they are a part of special tribe for the rest of their lives. Parents are kept informed about their child during the camp session via daily photos and owner Steve Baskin's inspiring blog. We also have access to a system where we can send as many emails as we'd like to our campers, but if your child is like mine, you won't be receiving many letters in return. Both years, we've received a measly 2 postcards the entire time -- he was having too much fun to write home! A note on diversity. This is a desirable quality which needs improvement at Camp Champions, and efforts are underway to do just that. During Summer 2016, campers and counselors from 7 different countries were represented, with about 1/3 of my son's cabin speaking a first language other than English. Recently, a foundation was started to help fund scholarships for campers who could not otherwise afford to attend. There's more to do, but I appreciate that the Baskins recognize this issue and are acting to address it.

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.

This Goodwill is located in the Greenhills shopping center in Kerrville. It is sandwiched between…read moresome other businesses in a strip center. This is actually one of their smaller format stores of about 15 to 20,000 ft.². About 70% of the floor space is given over to clothing and they have three dressing rooms. This place has very little in the way of electronics and furniture. I will agree with one yelper that anything of real value is not going to hit the floor, but finds its way onto their online store or "elsewhere". They actually have very nice restrooms that do not require a key. This location is clean and well merchandised. If you're looking for clothes, you'll probably find something, but for anything else, don't be so sure.

My weight loss of 140 lbs in a 2 and a half year time frame made it difficult for me to keep…read moreclothes on, especially pants ya'll my pants! If I bought everything new, even from Target, Walmart, or the Tanger Outlet, I would be spending half of our expendable income. With Goodwill, I love the color coded clothes because then I don't buy too much at once. They are so many awesome people there, too, and it's the best part of the Goodwill experience. For example, when my mom passed, I found out that the memory care center at a Nursing and Rehab facility she was at had more patients than they had blankets for. They wanted me to donate a family heirloom that I just couldn't part with. I said no, but I can get several gently used blankets instead of the one blanket. At, Goodwill, I asked if I was allowed to buy all the blankets on display. After explaining briefly why, they came back with several baskets and they loaded the whole lot up. People shopping were watching, and I explained it, some of them contributed to the blankets fund! I know my momma was having a ball watching this! Goodwill and Garage Sales were our favorite past time! I called my husband and told him I was going to take more time and why. He went online and got a list of the closest thrift stores. I got what I could find but Goodwill was by far the treasure trove I was seeking. So,in total, an anonymous gift of nearly 150 blankets went to several nursing facilities with and without memory care. Kerrville and Goodwill went the distance for me and for our seniors! Keep it up!