It's Christmas at Camp!

Campers woke up to the joy of Christmas carols and surprise trinkets from Santa!

For lunch, we enjoyed delicious tamales and homemade ice cream. Instead of our usual camp songs, we sang Christmas carols and celebrated camper Scarlet F.'s birthday with a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday."

It was a magical day full of festive cheer!

Tonight's awards ceremony was a night to remember, celebrating the unique contributions and talents of our campers and counselors. Here’s a quick recap:

Award Highlights:

• Footprint Award: For the camper who left the most memorable impact.
  • Brooke S.
• Picasso Award: Celebrating the most artistic person on camp.
  • Riley H.
• Golden Dustpan: Cleanest cabin on camp.
  • Buckeye Bunk
• Flush Above the Rest: Recognizing a counselor’s unique contributions.
  • Poppy Y.
• Unsung Hero: For those working tirelessly behind the scenes.
  • Raine J
• Radiant Personality Award: To the camper with the brightest personality.
  • Brooklyn P.
• Space-time Continuum: For the camper always fashionably late.
  • Lexi S.
• Main Event: Loudest and most enthusiastic cabin.
  • Abrigo
• Trailblazer Award: For always pitching in without being asked.
  • KK H
• Stick with It Award: Recognizing perseverance and determination.
  • Amber B
• P’s & Q’s Award: For the camper with the best manners.
  • Emma F.
• Camp Clown: For the camper who keeps everyone smiling.
  • Casey M.
• Foreign Correspondent Experts: The cabin that gets the most mail.
  • Abrigo 
• Super-Star Award: Celebrating exceptional efforts and achievements.
  • Sage W.
• Happy Camper Award: For spreading joy and enthusiasm.
  • Jada B.
• Tough Cookie Award: For resilience and strength.
  • Olivia L. and Carson S.
• Burning Bright Award: Honoring dedication and generosity.
  • Ann L.
• Red Hot Award: Recognizing bravery under the sun.
  • Zoe B.
• Radiant Influence Award: For the camper with the most positive influence.
  • Lee F.
• Bookworm Award: For the camper who reads the most books.
  • Hunter B
• Top Shot Award: Excelling in archery.
  • Vivian H
• Butterfinger Award: For exceptional skill in a unique talent.
  • Mia M.

Performances:

• Singing by Micaela Rosette, Isa V., and others.
• Magic tricks by Claire M. and Claire F.
• Gymnastics and videography acts showcasing campers' talents.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this camp experience unforgettable. Congratulations to all our award winners!

Closing Day Parking

Today, the entire camp was abuzz with excitement for Counselor Mountain Top!

Instead of the usual division gatherings, we had an all-camp gathering on the Ark. This is where the Firelighters and Sponsors revealed to the camp which hill the counselors would be ascending for Counselor Mountain Top. For the former campers who are now staff, this was a special time to relive some of the cherished moments with their sisterhoods. It was also the moment when campers discovered which sisterhood their counselors had been a part of in the past.

After each counselor was assigned a sisterhood, the Crossed Arrow campers and counselors remained on the Ark, while the Thunderbird campers and counselors headed to the pickleball court for some spirited cheers before lunch. This all-camp gathering was quite eventful and set a fantastic tone for the Counselor Mountain Top festivities.

Tonight, the much-anticipated Counselor Mountain Top took place. The counselors joined the campers in climbing the hills and cheering. This night is incredibly special for everyone at camp as it allows the staff to experience the magic of mountaintops firsthand. We are so grateful for this night and love seeing all the counselors fully participate alongside the campers.

After everyone returned from Mountain Top, we announced our Sisters O’ the Week, capping off a truly memorable day.


Minion Ivy M.
Sophomore Catalina S.
Junior Leah B.
Senior Grace M.
Teen Nola G.
LITe Freedy G.
​Counselor Jada B.

It’s hard to believe that in just two short days, you’ll be here to pick up your campers, and First Term 2024 will come to a close.

We hope your campers had the best time this summer! From swimming in the Guadalupe to running through the sprinklers in the big field, this term was action-packed.

Sadly, we know it will soon be time to go back home. The truth is, most campers really miss camp after they get home — some campers miss camp a lot. They call this campsickness… and trust us, it is real.

“Much like homesickness, campsickness is a natural response to the sadness and loss that may accompany the end of the camp season or session.” - Camping Magazine

Luckily, we have some simple tips to help campers deal with campsickness!

1. Encourage your camper to talk about camp and share stories.
2. Have them teach you a camp song. Camp songs are a huge part of our summer, and they will have many to share with you.
3. Use the photos on Campanion to drum up conversation and help them remember fun times. Did you know that Campanion photos are free to download? Why not make a photo album together!
4. Encourage your camper to keep in touch with camp friends. Some campers like to write real letters to each other to keep the communication campy. Each camper should go home with a list of addresses for the campers in their cabins to make keeping in touch easy.
5. Keep up with The Heart on our many social media sites. We are on Facebook and Instagram! Both of these are great ways to spark fun memories and let you know what’s going on around The Heart when your camper is away!
6. Talk about camp plans for 2025 and start a countdown calendar for next summer!

We look forward to seeing you soon and hearing all the wonderful stories from this incredible summer!

We started our day with a relaxed Sunday morning, complete with a cozy PJ breakfast and nothing scheduled until 10 am.

Promptly at 10, the fun began! Two lucky cabins enjoyed donuts as part of their carnival prizes, and we kicked off award show try-outs in the village.

The following acts have been selected to perform in the All-Camp Revue on Tuesday:
Individual Talent

• Micaela Rosette: Singing "Hope You're OK"
• Claire M. and Claire F.: Magic Trick
• Isa V.: Guitar/Singing "Country Roads"
• Savannah and Violet: "Purple Lights"
• Maggie, Ella, Chessa, Sumner: "Pitch Perfect"

Classes

• Videography MWF
• Videography TTS
• Gymnastics 4 MWF
• Gymnastics 4 TTS

At 11, everyone gathered at Cypress Hollow for a Teen-Led Worship. The worship service was enhanced by live music from campers Brynne G., Lee F., and Addison D., who played guitar and led some songs. The 16-year-olds spoke about their time at camp, sharing heartfelt reflections:

• Emma F., a 10th-year camper, said camp helped her become the best version of herself.
• Natalia R. described camp as her reset button.
• Sophia P. encouraged campers to find beauty in everything.
• Katherine B. spoke about experiencing many firsts at camp, from activities to games.
• Sara A. shared that she wasn’t ready to say goodbye and expressed gratitude for camp as a constant in her life.
• Brynne G. emphasized how quickly camp years go by and how important camp has been to her.
• Catalina R. advised campers to always try everything and to chase their dreams.
• Addison D. urged campers to be unapologetically themselves.
• Brooke S., from a military family, appreciated camp for pushing her out of her comfort zone and providing new friends.
• Ellie B. talked about gaining new experiences and perspectives at camp.
• Lee F. credited her camp friends with helping her become a better version of herself.
• Ace K. shared her experience of coming from out of state and how the friendships made it worthwhile each year.

After an extended siesta, we held our Sunday Olympic Festivals with an all-camp gymkhana and swim meet. Results will be shared soon, and campers received ribbons for their achievements.

At flag, we finally announced the results of field day. High point campers were:

• Minion: Aria A.
• Sophomore: Claire F.
• Junior: Elisabeth D.
• Senior: Ella C.
• Teen: Ellie B.

The T-Birds won field day with a score of 687-629.

We also announced our Top 10 Juniors today at flag.

Savannah C, Elisabeth D, Mabel G, Sadie L, Imogene M, Emmy M, Claire P, Micaela R, Gauri V, and Isa V. 

After pizza cheers and a delicious pizza dinner, we returned to Cypress Hollow for another wonderful Vespers, this time performed by The Arrows.

Can you believe it? We’re almost at the end of another fantastic camp season! As we gear up for our closing days on June 27 and June 28, here are some last-minute reminders to ensure a smooth and memorable wrap-up. Let’s make these final days as fun and seamless as possible!

Schedule of Events

Thursday, June 27

• 5:30 PM - Gates Open
• 6:00 PM - Quadrille
• 7:00 PM - Family Picnic
• 9:00 PM - Memorial Vespers
• 9:30 PM - Goodbyes till tomorrow

Friday, June 28

• 9:00 AM - Gates Open
• 9:45 AM - War Canoe Race, followed by an abbreviated Naming O’ the Braves ceremony: Tenure presentations, Star LITe, Kitty’s Korner, Sunflower Award, High-Point Campers, and the presentation of the Sisterhood Cup. Campers must be present to receive awards.
• 11:30 AM - Farewells

Important Reminders

1. No Dogs, Please!
   • We know your furry friends are part of the family, but with so many people around and the warm weather, it's best for everyone if they stay home.
2. Don’t Miss the Trading Post Sale!
   • Swing by the Trading Post for some incredible deals. Some items are 50-75% off! You definitely don’t want to miss out.
3. Bribery Gifts!
   • Make sure your camper doesn’t miss out on the fun! Complete the form below to give your camper(s) permission to sign up and receive bribery gifts. Sign Up Here
4. Professional Photos for Sale!
   • We will be selling activity portraits, sisterhood photos, officer photos, and war canoe photos. These were professionally taken and printed. You will not want to miss getting these memories!
5. Closing of Trading Post Accounts
   • We will be closing campers' trading post accounts on Wednesday, June 26th. Refund checks will be waiting for you with your camper’s activity portraits down by the Art Studios on closing day.

Session Dates for Next Year

• First Term: Sunday, June 1 - Saturday, June 28
  • Split A: Sunday, June 1 - Saturday, June 14
  • Split B: Sunday, June 15 - Saturday, June 28
• Second Term: Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, August 2
  • Split A: Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, July 19
  • Split B: Sunday, July 20 - Saturday, August 2

As many of you know, we had waiting lists for many age groups this year. To secure your camper's spot in their preferred term for next year, be sure to put down a deposit as soon as possible.

Thank you for being part of our camp family and for making this season unforgettable. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all during the closing days!

We have a long tradition (borrowed from Camp Stewart) of "bribing" our campers to sign up for next year before leaving this year.

Each girl who does will receive her choice of a nice "bribe". We will have bribery available at pickup, or if you respond before then, we will go ahead and let the girls choose and receive the gift.

Here is the LINK to the sign up form.

Today was a much more relaxed day—or at least it started that way. Cabin photos were taken throughout the morning, breakfast was come-and-go for about an hour, and we had worship down at Cypress Hollow. Our Volunteer Voices girls, who have been practicing all week, sounded perfect.

After worship, we had our typical Sunday lunch of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Following an extended, much-needed siesta, campers were treated to a performance by an Indian troupe. Head Counselor Jo G. and her family perform all over the state of Texas.

Unfortunately, our evening plans were derailed by a pop-up rainstorm that brought three inches of much-needed rain. Pizza Cheers were canceled, and our LITes delivered pizza to the campers' rooms.

Counselor Vespers was also postponed, so there will be an exciting performance another day!

Hey, at least everyone got an early bedtime tonight!

**Saturday's Highlights at Camp!**

Today was filled with excitement and memorable moments as we continued to make the most of every moment this term.

Our Volunteer Voices met for another practice  to prepare tomorrow's worship songs. We can't wait to hear their beautiful voices!

Camper Claire Fox had a special moment today, losing a tooth! The tooth fairy is set to visit her tonight, bringing a new toothbrush along with some magic.

At lunch, the LITes announced the perfect inspection cabins: Elm Tree, Yarrow Yard 1 & 2, Zinnia, Agarita, and Buckeye! It looks like we’re starting to see a trend here!

After normal classes today, we held our first swim meet of the term! The juniors headed down to the waterfront after 6th period to compete in various races, including backstroke, front crawl, and a fun noodle race. The Thunderbirds narrowly outscored the Crossed Arrows with a final score of 34-32. Great job to all our swimmers!

After flag,  girls enjoyed picnic meals of hot dogs and engaged in many of camp's outdoor games. A new favorite this year is the giant Connect Four game, which has been a big hit!

As evening fell, it was time for movie night under the stars. Campers gathered on the tennis courts with their sleeping bags, candy, and sodas to watch "Inside Out." It was a great way to wind down the day.

And now, the results of the door decorating contest are in! Congratulations to our creative and spirited campers:

- Best Use of Materials: Abrigo
- Team Spirit Display: Daisy
- Most Creative: Cactus Flower Cottage
- People's Choice (social media): Agarita Attoc
- Best Overall: Adobe 1

What a great day it has been! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our camp journey, creating unforgettable memories every step of the way.

Today was Seminar Day, a day where we suspend regular classes and host a variety of activities for the campers to participate in. We have our fan favorites that we hold each and every summer like fiesta and cookie decorating. But with staff from all over the world, this year's Seminar Day featured even more exciting activities. Campers enjoyed Hungarian Dancing, New Zealand Culture Lessons, Netball, Cricket, Touch Rugby, and K-pop Dances. For the art lovers, there were activities like building bird houses, rock painting, piano, musical theater, and face painting.

Additional activities included:

• Baking: Campers got creative in the kitchen, whipping up delicious treats.
• Canoe Drill: Learning essential canoeing skills and safety.
• Card Game Tournament (Speed): A fast-paced card game tournament kept everyone on their toes.
• Casino Night: An evening of fun with classic casino games.
• Color Guard: Honing skills in precision and teamwork.
• Color Run: A vibrant and colorful run through camp.
• Cookie Decorating: Campers unleashed their inner pastry chefs.
• Cooking: Whipping up tasty dishes and learning new recipes.
• Country Western Line Dancing/Swing Dancing: Learning some fun and energetic dance moves.
• DIY Puff Paint Painting: Crafting unique designs with puff paint.
• Fairy Garden: Creating magical miniature gardens.
• Fiesta: A festive celebration with music, dancing, and fun.
• Glass Painting: Crafting beautiful painted glass pieces.
• Harry Potter: Immersing in the magical world of Harry Potter.
• High Tea at Jane's: A sophisticated and delightful tea party.
• Hoop Dancing: Learning the art of hoop dancing.
• Hungarian Culture: Exploring traditions and history from Hungary.
• K-Pop Dances: Learning popular dance routines from K-pop music.
• Master Chef: Competing in cooking challenges.
• Moonlight Canoe: An enchanting evening canoe ride under the stars.
• Netball: Enjoying a game of netball, a popular sport in many countries.
• Pickleball Tournament: Competing in a fun pickleball tournament.
• Soccer: Engaging in friendly soccer matches.
• Songwriting/Guitar: Creating and performing original songs.
• Spa Night: Relaxing and pampering with spa activities.
• Teddy Bear Picnic: A whimsical picnic with stuffed animal friends.
• Top Shot Archery: Sharpening archery skills in a fun competition.
• Top Shot Riflery: Aiming for targets in a riflery contest.
• Water Aerobics: Splashing and exercising in the pool.

In the evening, our senior campers headed to Point Theater to see the performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The campers absolutely loved it. Snacks and sodas were an added treat as well!

Seminar Day was a wonderful opportunity for campers to try something new, break out of their comfort zones, and switch up the routine of camp to start the last week. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to make unforgettable memories at camp!

Today, we celebrated Heart LITe Carissa Smith's 17th birthday. 🎉

The Brother-Sister picnic was a blast! Heart and Stewart Trivia was a hit, with the Horner family taking home the victory. 🏆

Volunteer Voices had their first meeting today, bringing together campers eager to make a difference. 🌟

With the heat and a few long days, we had a mandatory siesta this afternoon. It was a total revival, and the dining hall was filled with rowdy and happy campers this evening.

Good news—Milk Line is back! After some supply challenges, we finally got our hands on the single-serving milks. 🥛

The news of the fire that we sent out seemed much bigger to Jane and the fire department than it did to ANY of the campers and counselors. No one saw anything except smoke, classes carried right on. Attention was turned to tonights division night activities.

Tonight is Division Night, and here's what's in store:

• Minions will enjoy birthday cake-flavored ice cream at Jane's.
• Sophomores join Program Director Carole for Mad Scientist fun.
• Juniors dive into a Mystery Box Game.
• Seniors will test their knowledge with Trivia.
• Teens are playing an epic game of Capture the Mattress.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to create unforgettable memories at camp!

Somehow we managed to miss posting War Canoe Teams. So sorry for the delay in posting! Here are the 2024 First Term teams:

PWC 2024
- Ellie B
-Sophia P
- Emma F 
-Natalia R
-Annelle L
-Carson S
-Coco A
-Elizabeth G
- Emme H
- Ella C
-Casey M
-Parker G
-Rachel S
-Catherine R
-Mary Scott H

SWC 2024
-Catalina R
-Brynne G
-Lee F
-Sara A
-Addison D
-Brooke S
-Olivia L
-Polly P
-Mackenzie L
-Lizzie S
-Lexi S
-Ansley B
-Olivia D
-Grace M

Dear Camp Families,

We want to inform you about an incident that occurred this morning. During a scheduled controlled burn, the fire briefly got out of control. Thanks to the quick response from our friends and neighbors in the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department, the fire was quickly contained, and everyone is safe.

There is no need for concern. The fire department arrived within minutes of receiving the call and did an excellent job in ensuring the safety of our campers and staff. Unfortunately, we did lose our climbing wall in the fire, but we are incredibly thankful that no one was harmed or alarmed!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jane—

Another exciting day at camp with our TTS classes continuing, and it's incredible to see so many campers already picking up new skills, especially in horseback riding and archery.

We have some exciting things to tell you about. So proud of the incredible accomplishments of our campers! First cabin inspections, Elm Tree, Yarrow Yard 1 & 2, Zennia, Agarita Attic and Buckeye all had perfects!

Dinner was a special treat as we enjoyed an Eat Out/Backyard Games tonight. Picnics dotted the front lawn and big field as campers engaged in a variety of fun outdoor activities, including toss across, yard jenga, yard connect four, jump ropes, earth balls, and more. Laughter and friendly competition filled the air!

Tonight, our evening activity was an exciting Door Decorating Contest! Campers had the opportunity to choose their own themes for their cabin doors, showcasing their creativity and teamwork. The doors will be judged during siesta tomorrow, and we can't wait to announce the winners!

Here are the judging criteria for the contest:

• Best Overall Decoration
• Most Creative Theme
• Best Use of Materials
• Team Spirit Award (for teamwork and collaboration)
• People's Choice Award (voted by judges)

Stay tuned for the results.