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

The nature center is an extension of the Boerne City Park. Admission is free but donations are…read moreencouraged. I'm encouraging you as well. These folks put their hearts and souls into conserving nature...& it's not free to do so. There's a visitor center, gift shop, and walking trails. Spring-fed marsh, wildflowers, wooded areas, tall-grass, and so on. You can sometimes spot an armadillo or two scurrying about (along with other critters). There's a Monarch Butterfly research field to check out too. They have learning center and auditorium too. Really beautiful way to spend a day in nature.

We had my sister's bridal shower here at The Gathering Hall and it was perfect! We had access to…read morethe kitchen, fridge, and there were quite a few plates and drink containers available for us as well as tables, chairs, and linens! It was in August and incredibly hot outside, but it was so nice inside and we had a great view of the farm in the back! Lots of room to fit 35 people comfortably and it would be even more beautiful with more space in cooler weather! Staff was INCREDIBLY sweet, informative, and helpful!!

Hands down the BEST children's learning center/day care in Boerne. They took great care of our 1…read moreyear old for the past 2 years. He loves all of his teachers and runs into School each day. The staff is extremely professional and watch over your child like it's their own. We hate that we are moving , it will be difficult to find another daycare as wonderful as Mini Texans! Marcy and John are the best !

This company needs to give lessons to other businesses. They hire absolutely amazing staff that…read moresmiles when you enter...seeing a smile changes lives. They care, they run everything so orderly and professional Everything is clean and their communication is amazing. All 3 of my children have gone here or are there now. The teachers really teach the children and my kids have SO much fun. MT is a gift from God to my family!!! During COVID they handled everything perfectly, given the difficulty of the situation.

I've coordinated events all over Central Texas for more than 20 years, and I've had the privilege…read moreof working with some outstanding organizations--but T Bar M set a whole new standard. Their service and staff were top-notch from start to finish. We hosted a four-day event for about 60 adults, which is probably on the smaller side for their team, but you'd never know it by the way they delivered. Everything was seamless. I wish I could name every incredible team member we worked with, but Zack, Lily, and Chase stood out as true servant leaders. The food was fantastic--well-prepared, on time, and served with care. Huge thanks to Pepe, Elizabeth, Alyssa, Shayna, Daniel, Deidra, and the rest of the kitchen crew for taking such great care of us. Our group is already counting down the days until we return in 2026!

Such a lovely retreat campus for kids, families and couples. It's faith-based, so perfect for youth…read moregroups and other church programs. My hubby and I came with a nonprofit organization and had the best couple of days. So much to do on the grounds! Athletic/sports activities, softball field, swimming pool, wading pool, indoor gym and, a playground for the littles, meeting rooms, multiple types of accommodations, different dining halls and the accommodations are comfortable and clean and the food is WONDERFUL! Love the little store on the property and enjoyed the staff very much. Highly recommended!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Our sweet & shy 14 year old daughter had the most amazing time on the 8 day River Safari. She…read morelearned so much about team work, leadership, and outdoor survival from the wonderful leaders and had an overall excellent time. Her only complaint was bug bites. But seriously; that's expected on an outdoor adventure. lol.

I just picked my 13 year old son up from the 12 day Texas Hill Country trip and all I can say is…read moreWOW! When I mentioned this camp to him he wasn't interested at all! He said there was nothing he could gain from it, nothing that interested him. All he wanted to do was sit around the house all summer. I signed him up anyway... Needless to say I was nervous picking him up. When I got there he was hugging everyone and high fiving and talking about how he was going to miss everyone and how all of them were going to do it again next year. Even though he was away from his beloved cell phone for 12 days, he was much more interested in telling me all the wonderful things he did than texting with his friends! That's a pretty big deal there! This has been one of the hottest summers in Texas in a long time, but he never once said anything about how hot it was or anything else. The only complaint I heard from him was about powdered milk and peanut butter ramen noodles! What's even better is that he is happy to have gone but also happy to be home! He even thanked me for making him go on the trip!! The trip isn't cheap, but with the reaction I'm getting from my teen, I think it is WELL worth the money! I'm going to start saving so he can attend the 16 day Big Bend trip next year!