While we here at the Heart know the wonderful reasons Heart O’ the Hills is so great, we’d thought we’d outline it a little more clearly for our first time camp families.
ACTIVITIES – Thanks to Katniss, the love for archery is on the rise, but finding an archery range at home to practice your newly acquired hobby, may be a little difficult. Heart O’ the Hills has a full archery range, bows of every size and level, and instructors that are trained through USA Archery’s SafeSport. During the term, campers are encouraged to work towards achieving medals and pins of the Camp Archery Association.
- ENTHUSIASM – Though some of our counselors may not have been campers themselves, they quickly learn the love of the Heart. Campers and counselors alike are comfortable in being themselves at all times and providing a cornerstone in moments filled with enthusiasm of their whole selves. Silliness to sing at the top of their lungs, courage to audition for a leadership position, and loudly cheering for their tribes all happen with the utmost enthusiasm.
3. FRIENDSHIPS – Once a Heart girl, always a Heart girl. Over the past 60+ years, Heart girl friendships have continued to blossom. The late nights, early mornings outside playing and competing, reinforce friendships that will last forever. These are the kind of frienships that are like the stickers in your socks. You know they’re always there and you just can’t quite shake them.
4. NATURE – At Heart O’ the Hills, the sounds of nature abounds. Only the noise of passing cars disrupts the chirping of crickets, hooting of owls, and whispers of wind through the Cypress trees. Field Sports happens in the big field, horseback rides trails among the hills, and we swim daily in the Guadalupe River. Late night tepee bonding is spent peering through the arms of the Milky Way for shooting stars.
5. NO TECHNOLOGY – Read a book, determine cloud shapes, star gaze, at camp campers are not in front of a screen. Campers engage in conversation, learn social cues, and must manage sharing personal space within a tepee, without the escape of looking down at their phone. Campers become familiarized with the action of setting their phone down and taking on new adventures.
6. THE STAFF – If pictures speak a thousand words, this one speaks many more. The excitement shown on Opening Day for a first time counselor only sets the level of passion throughout the term. Our staff are well rounded, highly skilled, intelligent, beautiful young women who each bring their own touch to Heart O’ the Hills. Some are former campers, some come from around the world. Together they mesh together to fabricate a place for girls to call home.
7. WORSHIP – Jane often says the greatest of Cathedrals could only compare to the beauty of God’s work along the Guadalupe River. Every Sunday as campers gather beneath the Cypress bows, we are reminded through the camp prayer that we must stand for the hard right against the easy wrong and ask that He teach us to work as hard and play as fair in His sight alone, as if the whole world saw.
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