Altria Retreat: A Surprising Taste of Camp

The Retreat side of CBS recently had the pleasure of hosting the Altria Distribution Group's Company Retreat, which, although it may not sound like it, was some of the most fun we've seen since summer camp!

During the first day of their stay, Altria guests had many meetings, speakers, and workshops, but at night, things started to look a lot like Rodeo Round-up! Nighttime activities featured a "Cowboy Dance," complete with a mechanical bull, armadillo races, a longhorn photo-op, line dancing (with guest instructors), and a bonfire at our pond with the traditional s'mores and funnel cakes.

The next day, our guests headed into another round of meetings and workshops, but free time in the afternoon came in the form of enjoying our traditional CBS activities--the zip-line, archery, rock-climbing, the Screamer, hiking, fishing, canoeing, paddle-boating, frisbee-golf, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, and football. That night, a fun, yet more low-key, evening ensued, featuring another firepit and s'mores, a movie under the stars, and the "human" version of games like Jenga, foosball, checkers (coming this summer for camp).

We had a great time with Altria, and we can't wait to have an even greater time all summer! Be sure to visit Camp Balcones Springs today and secure your spot!

PS: We're thinking about adding armadillos to the Rodeo Round-up line-up--any thoughts?

Father/Daughter Retreat 2015

A few weeks ago, the Retreat at Balcones Springs held one of its favorite events of the season -- our annual Father/Daughter Retreat!

Each fall and spring, the Retreat holds Mother/Son and Father/Daughter retreats to give families a chance to bond in the beautiful Texas Hill Country while also getting a taste of what CBS has to offer. With camp just around the corner, it was so fun for us to offer a taste of camp to these guests while we anxiously await summer's arrival!

Visiting dads and daughters arrived Friday night and immediately began the fun with a fishing contest. After dinner, we all enjoyed a traditional camp bonfire (with s'mores of course!) and a viewing of one of the greatest camp movies of all time -- The Parent Trap!

The next morning, daughters enjoyed cartoons and cereal while our visiting dads had their comparable "newspapers and coffee" (though perhaps some of those cartoons as well). After breakfast, the day looked a lot like a typical day at CBS. Dads and daughters climbed the rock wall, took a ride on the Screamer, and played classic camp games like 3Ball and Nuke 'Em (no team affiliations involved, sadly; who do you think would have won? Texas Rangers/Lone Stars or Rough Riders/ Silver Spurs?) before building their own pizza rolls for lunch.

After lunch, Charlotte's Web, the zipline, and the archery ranges were all open for our guests to enjoy. We also had craft-making and cupcake-decorating, horseback riding in the arena, and face-painting.

After dinner was the weekend's highlight--the Glow with the Flow dance! If you were at camp last summer, you should remember this tremendously fun night! Dads and daughters danced the night away at one of the most famous camp dances, complete with light-lasers, disco balls, and of course, lots of glow sticks.

Finally, to close the weekend, after breakfast the next morning, dads and daughters harvested organic vegetables in the camp garden to put into take-home lasagna kits for mom.

If these activities sound like fun to you, or maybe have you thinking about how much fun you had last summer at CBS, make sure you head over to Camp Balcones Springs and sign up for Summer 2015!

Home

Sometimes I wake up in the mornings to the sound of Sweet Pea, the camp donkey, braying and he-hawing so loudly, it resonates through the steel walls of Hunter's and my Barn Apartment. Some folks might find the thought of having a donkey, a pair of llamas, a duo of mini-horses, and 14 horses as neighbors somewhat unnerving or even bothersome--but this is my home!

I talk to people a lot about camp, thats just kind of how it goes with this place. Honestly, how many of your stories start with "this one time at camp..." But some of the most common things I hear from campers, counselors, and everyone really who has ever been a part of camp are "I feel like I can be myself here," "I feel safe here," "I'm totally different at camp than I am at school," "Camp is like a home for me!" If someone asks me about about camp, I tell them these things. I think it speaks volumes more than any amount of stories I could tell.

For the last 8 summers, Camp Balcones Springs has been so much more than a summer camp to me, it has been a second home. Even before I came to camp, I got a taste of the family CBS promises. Martin Ramirez and Dean Martinez oftentimes showed up at my tennis tournaments in Dallas along with other camp folks just to cheer me on and to hang out with me afterwards. They weren't trying to sell me anything or convince me I needed to come to camp--no, they just wanted to be my friend.

When I actually decided to go to Camp 4th term in 2004, I remember getting on the bus from Dallas and driving away from Northpark mall and heading towards camp sitting next to Ellie Hansen who had convinced me to come. I wasn't necessarily nervous, but is there anyone on earth who doesn't wonder if they are going to fit in to a new community!? However, almost as soon as the bus started down I-35, Arden Johnston, the most friendly 9 year-old on the bus, came up and told me that when I got to camp I was going to be a Rough Rider, and then proceeded to teach me all of the Silver Spur cheers even if she couldn't remember exactly how they went. Three hours later, I remember getting off the bus to the sight of an exuberant Marietta smiling at us, greeting us all with open arms, announcing our entry to all of camp, and then sending each of us off into Camp's traditional "tunnel of love." When it came my turn to run down the tunnel, I hopped off the bus only to be outright tackled to the ground by who was soon to be one of the greatest influences in my life, my Senior Camper counselor, Casey Millsap!

The experience of Camp never fades for me. The friends I made, the relationships I built, and the growth I had in Christ continued to compound on one another every year I came back, and I give thanks everyday for how camp has made me into who I am today. Even now, after 8 summers, chills still run up my back and my heart races when I drive down 1431 towards Camp on opening day, not anymore because I'm nervous, but because I'm excited to be coming HOME!

Keep some tissues nearby, you might want them after watching this video!



How has camp become your second home? Tell us in the comments below or through Facebook/Twitter!

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The Coroneles and the Yellow Roses

Longstanding rumors have finally come to fruit here at Camp Balcones Springs--this summer will mark the beginning of a new era in Team Competition with the inclusion of two new teams, The Coroneles and the Yellow Roses. As acting heads of teams, the full-time camp staff arrived at the decision that the addition of two teams will bring a new element to one of camp's most memorable traditions.

In the effort of "shaking things up," our new Camp Director, Geoff Rich made the suggestion, and even offered to found and manage the Coroneles, the boys' team, for the first year or until he can comfortably hand off the tradition to a new member of leadership or full-time. In step, Christine Baskin enthusiastically agreed to found and manage the traditions of the Yellow Roses, the girls' team, until she too feels comfortable with the team's leadership under its senior members. Both Geoff and Christine have said they will return to their neutral status after handing off leadership of their new teams.

The Coroneles will have the symbol of a crown and their primary color is orange. They are descended from the Elite Infantry of the Texan Army during the Texas revolution from Mexico. Having overcome the several weaknesses of a fledgling country in revolt, the lone squadron of Coroneles was the key factor in the success in driving back the opposing Mexican army. Only days after the battle, the Coroneles had completely driven the invading armies from their borders at the battle of San Jacinto, and earning the new country the right to be formally known as the sovereign "Republic of Texas."

The Yellow Roses will take on the symbol of the Rose, and the primary color, yellow. The yellow rose traditionally symbolizes respect, and their respect for the earth and for nature earns them an esteemed place among the teams. They have an unbreakable bond of sisterhood established from a long tradition of passion for taking care of each other and the earth. They fight back earnestly against anything or anyone who would dare undergo any action that would harm the natural world they respect so deeply.

Thoughts from full-time staff:

"I'm excited for the change! It will throw old campers a curve ball, and add a new level of excitement for the new campers!" -Adrienne Grissom, Girl's Camp Director

"It's been in talks for a long time, but I'm thrilled we have finally pulled the idea through. Its just something new and different we can surprise our campers with. I know how important team competition is to Camp, and its an exciting time for a change! -Todd Darby, Boy's Camp Director

The Coroneles' Crown

The Yellow Roses' Rose

Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 3/7

Number 3: A strap-to-yo-head flashlight

Ok CAMP folks, lets talk here for a second. We have all been there: walking by the poorly-lit camp tennis courts on a warm Texas Hill Country night when Phillip Jackson thinks it's funny to jump out at you dressed in a gorilla suit...not funny Phil! Really though, we had to revive a mini horse from a heart attack after the gorilla suit scared the poor guy so badly--have you ever had to give a mini horse mouth-to-mouth?

Neither have I, it would be truly horrid if I had to. But, if it came down to it, "I am a lifeguard, I can help."

Nonetheless, the whole messy situation could have been avoided, which is why we recommend a "strap-to-yo-head flashlight," such as the one pictured above! Now, it is not necessary to purchase one quite so Derek Zoolander-esque and high-style, but we understand the importance of phun phashion at Camp Balcones Springs, so go all Blue Steel if you must.

After you find something in your wardrobe that will actually match the head lamp, put it to good use and engage the light feature and illuminate the path before you...as well as blind anyone within a 100 yard radius around you with your 6000 watt fluorescent lamp! Never again will you look so good while keeping the mini-horses safe at Camp Balcones Springs!

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Photos courtesy of: Super Stock Photo, rveh.com, and allmoviephoto.com

Bring this to summer camp...and you might survive! Part 1/?

Hey boys and girls, here is the first part of a series describing what you need to survive this summer at Camp Balcones Springs! We'll explore the many uses for various sundries (not "sundresses," you don't need those here!) that you should throw in your trunk to have the best time ever!

Here we go with number 1!

1. Neoprene Wetsuit- perfect for Sunday swimming, The Ted 2,000, and sailing class

     Firstly, lets break this down into its base components, neoprene and wetsuit. "Neo-Prene", is a word formed from the latin "no" and "prune," hence, when you wear it, your skin won't get pruney. An added side-effect is that you likely won't have to spend too much time in the restroom! "We-Tsu-It" is derived from an ancient eastern Chinese phrase that roughly translates to "let us take action on this matter," probably referring to the practice of swimming with dolphins as was common in that area at that time.

     

     When you put the terms together, you can understand why you would need a Neoprene Wetsuit at Camp: "we will swim (with or without dolphins) and not get pruney!"

    

     Now, you ask yourself "Self, why would I need this at camp?" Why on Earth not?! With all of the phun you can have swimming in Lake Ted for hours upon precious hours during phunanza...and then you won't get pruney!? What a deal! You might even get rich if you can convince the river dolphins to swim to the bottom of the lake and pick up all of the watches, sunglasses, and camp rings Lake Ted has swallowed up over the years (yeah, I'm talking about y'all, Anna Drinkwitz and Dodge Carter, I know the stinging pain of loss!)

     Whether for deep-water treasure-hunting, light surface play on our aquatic landscape, or making up for lost time in the restroom, a Neoprene wetsuit is a must for this summer for camp boys and camp girls alike!

Dolphins + Treasure?

Stay tuned for No. 2 survival coming later this week!

Photos Courtesy of amazon.com and fashionmasters.co.cc