Prospective campers have many options for their summers, but here’s why girls “get hooked” on The Heart: INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE: With enrollment capped at about 150 girls per session, The Heart fosters a friendly environment where campers quickly get to know each other and form lasting friendships. INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION: All campers contribute to their Sisterhoods by earning points in various camp activities. Our non-traditional games and events promote teamwork and healthy competition, ensuring everyone is involved—no one is left on the sidelines. LIFELONG SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIP: Our philosophy is centered around fun, goal setting, and character building in a safe environment. Campers develop leadership skills and build friendships that last a lifetime.

Absolutely! The Heart is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the state health department. We are also a member of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress and have been recognized as one of the nation’s Top 50 camps.

We have a registered nurse on site, a pediatrician available when needed, and counselors certified in CPR and first aid. Our low camper-to-counselor ratio ensures personal attention and a safe instructional environment.

We maintain a low ratio of campers to counselors that exceeds national standards. This ratio ensures that all of our campers receive personalized attention and that we can provide a supportive environment to all of our campers across all camp activities.

ELECTRONICS POLICY: Campers are not allowed to bring electronics. Parents can call us anytime for updates on their camper’s status.

Homesickness often results from adjusting to a new environment. Our counselors are trained to help campers through this adjustment, keeping them busy and supported. If homesickness persists, we encourage parents to contact us for assistance. If you need tips on how to prepare your camper for being away from home, just let us know! We can email you some thoughts on that.

The Heart is known for its friendly atmosphere. Campers quickly make new friends, and our programs are designed to build confidence and create a supportive environment. Options like charter buses, pre-camp presentations, and Heart pen pals help ease the transition.

Our counselors are carefully selected for their experience and qualifications, with many holding college degrees. We prioritize role models who are energetic, motivated, and fun. About a third are former campers, and all undergo a rigorous hiring process, including background checks.

Counselors attend an extensive pre-camp orientation covering behavior management, emergency procedures, age-appropriate activities, and leadership training. They also receive certifications in first aid, CPR, and other relevant skills.

Camp birthdays are special! Birthday girls enjoy a large cake and ice cream at lunch. Parents can send presents to be held for the special day.

Your camper will not need any cash during her stay with us. Tuition covers all supplies for camp activities, snacks, and laundry. You may provide a deposit with our Trading Post for small items like toiletries, postcards, and stamps, but no cash is needed for camp expenses -- the tuition covers it all.

We have a dress code rather than a uniform. Campers and staff wear white on Sundays. On other days, they can wear any camp shirts and shorts that are red, white, blue or green. Clothing sold in our Trading Post is acceptable.

New campers are welcomed with a ceremony where they draw from a basket to determine their Sisterhood—Thunderbird or Crossed Arrow.

While camp is an investment, it offers invaluable benefits. The tangible aspects include diverse activities and great food, while the intangible benefits include socialization, emotional growth, and exposure to role models. We offer early payment discounts and flexible payment options.

The Heart provides many unique experiences, from bonding with family members and friends to gaining confidence and making new friends from different backgrounds. It’s a place for growth, exploration, and making lasting memories.

We pride ourselves on our healthy, home-style meals prepared by an international kitchen staff. Fresh fruits and vegetables are served daily, and our tradition of homemade ice cream after lunch is a favorite! DAILY OFFERINGS: Breakfast includes a variety of options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Lunch and dinner feature diverse, nutritious choices, with supplemental salad bars and snacks provided. NO CANDY POLICY: To support a healthy lifestyle, we limit candy and non-nutritious snacks. We ask parents to avoid sending food items in care packages.

Well for starters, it’s like a month-long sleepover with at least four other girls in one room. Campers are given an age-appropriate ‘Health and Happiness’ chart to update every night, with questions like: Did you brush your teeth? Turn off lights as you left a room? Not only do they have a personal checklist, the campers are also responsible for the Daily Inspection of their cabin. The floor must be swept, beds must be made, and trash taken out daily. Bunks that get “Perfect” inspections for five days in a row can earn picnics on camp. Girls are taught how to share their space and to manage time well when living among a handful of other girls. Our counselors ensure lights are out on time every night (well almost every night). Cabin life teaches living independently through guidance, and to prepares girls for their first night at college on their own.

Assignments are made according to camper’s age, year in school, size, and maturity.

If campers have a bunk request, it needs to be submitted in writing and mutually agreed upon. It is our policy to do our best to honor mutual requests but we cannot promise or guarantee any such special cabin arrangements. We must be able to focus on the overall success of each and every camper at all times.

Yes, our campers enjoy fully air-conditioned cabins and dining hall.

Almost all of the HOH activities are optional, so each camper can pick and choose the ones that most appeal to her. There are just a handful of exceptions: All campers participate in swimming and field sports. Seniors also take Life Skills with Jane.

Electives are chosen based on a camper’s interests and availability. Activities are scheduled strategically, and campers are encouraged to complete the Activity Preference Form before camp to ensure they get their preferred classes.

Activities are pre-assigned for our youngest campers - Minions and Sophomores - based on their preferences. Our older campers (Juniors, Seniors and Teens) select their activities once they are at camp.

Advanced classes such as English jumping and polocrosse are offered, with participation based on skill demonstration and tryouts.

No, there are no additional charges for any activities at Heart O' the Hills. All activities included in our camp programs are covered by the standard camp fee. This means that campers can enjoy a wide range of activities—from adventure sports and performing arts to waterfront fun and creative arts—without any extra costs. We believe in providing a comprehensive and enriching camp experience without the burden of additional expenses.

Applying to camp early has its advantages! They include: -- We limit the number of campers in each session so we can give all of our campers personal attention. Applying early ensures that the session you want is still available. -- All campers that register before Christmas will receive a limited edition silver charm as our gift. -- Camp is important enough that the rest of your summer should be planned around it!

Deposits and payments may be made with any major credit card, cash, or check. Monthly payment plans are available. To arrange this, call Monique or Jane at our office, at 1-830-238-4650.

Tuition is priced to cover laundry, linen service (if desired), yearbook, video memento, special art supplies, lessons, ammo, and all other activity expenses. Camper families are requested to keep a credit card on file (with prescribed spending limit) for stamps and other personal purchases. Soft drinks and snacks are not sold. Rather, a treat is given to campers each day at the end of siesta as a part of the regular camp fee. Transportation to and from camp, and clothing are additional expenses.

Deposits are 80% refundable until March 1 of the year registered to attend. Deposits are not refundable after that date although a one-year courtesy carry-forward will be offered. Deposits are not transferable other than to immediate family. Fees are fully refundable until 30 days prior to the first day of the registered-for term. After that time, fees are not refundable except for medical reasons per written doctor's orders. Should the camp physician recommend withdrawal because of an injury or illness occurring during camp, one-half of the remaining pro-rated fees will be refunded. In the event of a dismissal or withdrawal for homesickness, misconduct, inability to adjust to camp life, or any other reason, there is no refund. There are no fee reductions for late arrival or early departure. All fees are due and payable the first week of May of the year attending. Early pay options during the year offer discounts for fees paid in full.

Some limited camperships are awarded at The Heart, thanks to the GTS Family and Friends foundation, a 501©3. Contact Jane for details.

We do like to have up-to-date information on every detail about our girls! The state mandates that all health information is updated each year. Other information -- for example, 'Activity Preferences' -- do change as campers grow and are exposed to new things. So, please fill out and submit new forms each year!

No. Every camper is required by law to have a medical examination within 12 months prior to her arrival at camp.

You can upload completed forms on CampInTouch, or you can fax them to us at 1-866-361-0116. If you fax them, do NOT include a cover sheet. the forms are barcoded with your camper's name ensuring that they will be attached to her account.

All forms are due on or before April 25th. This may sound early to you, but getting the paperwork filed away before campers arrive here helps us to focus on the GIRLS while camp is in session. As camp approaches, we'll send email reminders about the forms. Let us know if you need help!

There are lots of options for getting to HOH and the best one for you probably depends on where you are coming from. On the first day of our regular terms, we offer a charter bus from major Texas cities. Some camper families drop off their camper by car, and others travel by plane. Just let us know what your plans are so we'll be prepared for your arrival!

You may do as little or as much as you want! We’re giving you a chance to experience a number of activities that we offer during camp, such as horseback riding, canoeing, arts and crafts, and a bunch of other fun activities. A schedule is provided to everyone upon arrival, and you can pick and choose what you like.

Moms sleep in a tepee and campers are assigned a room with other girls about their age. All rooms are air-conditioned and have private baths.

Yes! Just like at camp, we gather in the dining hall three times a day and eat together. After lunch and supper, we sing camp songs and make announcements about the next round of activities. It’s a special time to interact with other.

No! Our Mother-Daughter weekends are open to everyone! Many people come to get an up-close look at The Heart before enrolling, so we do have a good number of first-time campers. But others return each year to share the excitement of camp together and experience fun, rewarding 'mother / daughter' time.

We’ll provide all bedding and bath towels, so don’t worry about packing those items. Here’s what we recommend: play clothes, swim suit, shoes for walking in the river, beach towel, camera, flashlight (optional, but fun), long pants and boots for riding (a must if you want to go horseback riding), a hard hat for riding, it you have one, and leisure reading.

Do as much or as little as you please! We find that the more things you try your hand at, the more fun you’ll have!