Hiking, Mud Fighting, and Storytelling - Oh My!
One of the biggest reasons parents tell us why they would want to send their kids to summer camp is so they can experience great fun in the great outdoors! Parents often tell us “My kid spends too much time watching screens!” or “My kid could use a break from video games!” We’ve seen over and over again that when today’s kids are unplugged from technology, removed from distractions, and surrounded by nature, they really get to focus on living in the moment and fully engage with others. The best playground can just be found outside!
Yesterday on a sunny day, our campers went off the beaten path and hiked to the Carving Trees. There, they got to cool off in Penson Creek…with a MASSIVE mud fight!! Mud was flinging and slinging everywhere. No one could escape - not even the counselors! There were a lot of big smiles on kids’ faces as they were able to let loose and not shy away from getting dirty. When the mud war had been won, campers were rewarded with lots and lots of watermelon, which was especially refreshing during this hot summer afternoon.
Returning back to main camp, campers cleaned themselves up for Huawni Cookout! A beloved camp tradition, Cookout is a special time where, after a long day of activities, cabins get to hang back and relax together while enjoying grilled burgers and hot dogs and playing lawn games. We ended Cookout with Storytelling, where campers got to hear the stories of Joe Shields, the Blue Wolf, and the Wild Woman.
When the sun set and the skies got dark, campers brought out their flashlights to hunt for the Wild Woman. Believe-it-or-not, we spotted her multiple times throughout camp that evening!!
It’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through this first session! But we still have lots of fun coming up!
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Guides for choosing a summer camp
- Camp Ozark vs Camp Huawni: Big Camp or Small Camp? Camp Ozark hosts thousands of campers in Arkansas; Camp Huawni caps a session at 170 in East Texas. An honest look at which size of camp suits which child.
- The Best Summer Camps in Texas: A Parent's Guide How to compare overnight summer camps in Texas — camp types, session length, real cost ranges, accreditation, ratios, and phone policy — plus a 12-question shortlist you can take to any camp tour.
- Austin Summer Camps: A Parent's Guide A guide to summer camps for Austin families — day camps in town, Hill Country overnight camps, what each costs, when to book, and when driving east makes sense.