Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Pura Vida!!!
Day 1
Hello America,
Greetings from Costa Rica,
This morning we got to have a very relaxing time. We went to breakfast at 9 and then went into the pools and hot springs at the hotel. Later today we hiked up to the basin of the Arenal Volcano. We saw a bed of lava rocks and took pictures over-looking the Volcano on one side and the Lake Arenal on the other. While hiking to the Volcano we took a detour from the main trail and took a route through the jungle. We saw various trees, some that were over 400 years old. We saw plants that contained an orange liquid that the tour guide painted Kelsey's nails with. Also, we saw plants that monkeys had eaten and thrown the reminisce onto the ground. We didn't actually get to see any monkeys though, hopefully we get to see some soon. We did see a Coati on the way to the volcano and were able to get out of the bus and take up-close pictures of the animal. We also ran into a small yellow snake perched on the tree at the beginning of our hike and luckily didn't run into any others on the trails. After the volcano we went to a Tobacan Hot Springs Resort. It has several naturally fed pools, as well as other man-made pools. We had dinner there as well and ate our body weight in food, going up to the buffet several times. Until tomorrow...
Kelsey and Maddie <3
Day 1
Hello America,
Greetings from Costa Rica,
This morning we got to have a very relaxing time. We went to breakfast at 9 and then went into the pools and hot springs at the hotel. Later today we hiked up to the basin of the Arenal Volcano. We saw a bed of lava rocks and took pictures over-looking the Volcano on one side and the Lake Arenal on the other. While hiking to the Volcano we took a detour from the main trail and took a route through the jungle. We saw various trees, some that were over 400 years old. We saw plants that contained an orange liquid that the tour guide painted Kelsey's nails with. Also, we saw plants that monkeys had eaten and thrown the reminisce onto the ground. We didn't actually get to see any monkeys though, hopefully we get to see some soon. We did see a Coati on the way to the volcano and were able to get out of the bus and take up-close pictures of the animal. We also ran into a small yellow snake perched on the tree at the beginning of our hike and luckily didn't run into any others on the trails. After the volcano we went to a Tobacan Hot Springs Resort. It has several naturally fed pools, as well as other man-made pools. We had dinner there as well and ate our body weight in food, going up to the buffet several times. Until tomorrow...
Kelsey and Maddie <3
Monday, July 8, 2013
Costa Rica...The start of our adventure
Today has been a long day of travel, but it was well worth it. Our group continued to grow throughout the day and we weren't complete until we reached Dallas. Once in the DFW airport we met up with our last three travelers and we were ready to really get this trip started. All of our flights were enjoyable and smooth. Once in Costa Rica we met up with our guide and started our three hour drive to La Fortuna, along the way he explained the different regions of Costa Rica and got us excited to see this beautiful country.
We are currently tucked away in our beds and ready to rest up for the adventure that awaits tomorrow.
-CBS Family Costa 2013
Today has been a long day of travel, but it was well worth it. Our group continued to grow throughout the day and we weren't complete until we reached Dallas. Once in the DFW airport we met up with our last three travelers and we were ready to really get this trip started. All of our flights were enjoyable and smooth. Once in Costa Rica we met up with our guide and started our three hour drive to La Fortuna, along the way he explained the different regions of Costa Rica and got us excited to see this beautiful country.
We are currently tucked away in our beds and ready to rest up for the adventure that awaits tomorrow.
-CBS Family Costa 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Girl Scout Brownie Retreat!
Last weekend at Camp Balcones Springs, our Retreat Staff welcomed several Girl Scout troops from the Austin area to the property! Brownies (and even some Daisies) got a taste of CBS over a weekend full of fun camp activities.
Scouts and scout leaders arrived Saturday afternoon and went swimming and "Blobbing" in Lake Ted, climbed the Rock Wall, flew down the screamer, played Gaga ball, and spent time hanging out in Dustin's Tree House. After a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande, the Girl Scouts went to our bonfire area and enjoyed roasting S'mores.
The next morning after breakfast, some girls returned to the Rock Wall, while others jumped on the Charlotte's Web trampoline and made friendship bracelets in the Arts and Crafts Shed. Our guests enjoyed Camp Balcones Springs' famous "beach burgers" at lunch before returning home from their Brownie excursion. (Rumor has it there were unfortunately no Balcones Breezes included in this lunch time meal.)
Having the Girl Scouts with us this weekend got us thinking about camp and how exciting it is that it is just around the corner! We are looking forward to all of the fun summer will bring, and we are thankful to have gotten a taste of that with our Girl Scout visitors last weekend. See you all soon!
Scouts and scout leaders arrived Saturday afternoon and went swimming and "Blobbing" in Lake Ted, climbed the Rock Wall, flew down the screamer, played Gaga ball, and spent time hanging out in Dustin's Tree House. After a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande, the Girl Scouts went to our bonfire area and enjoyed roasting S'mores.
The next morning after breakfast, some girls returned to the Rock Wall, while others jumped on the Charlotte's Web trampoline and made friendship bracelets in the Arts and Crafts Shed. Our guests enjoyed Camp Balcones Springs' famous "beach burgers" at lunch before returning home from their Brownie excursion. (Rumor has it there were unfortunately no Balcones Breezes included in this lunch time meal.)
Having the Girl Scouts with us this weekend got us thinking about camp and how exciting it is that it is just around the corner! We are looking forward to all of the fun summer will bring, and we are thankful to have gotten a taste of that with our Girl Scout visitors last weekend. See you all soon!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Easter Fest 2013!
In celebration of Easter, the Retreat at Balcones Springs hosted the CBS Easter Fest--a holiday-themed family event--this past weekend!
The activities began Friday, as families arrived to appetizers and cocktails in our Bluebonnet lounge and a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande dining hall. Afterwards, families gathered on our lawn to watch an outdoor movie under the stars.
The next day was full of camp and Easter fun. Guests played matball on our soccer field, climbed the rock wall and took a ride on the screamer, went down our famous Balcones Springs zipline, played in Lake Ted, took kiddie rides at the horse barn, and decorated eggs and other Easter crafts to celebrate the holiday.
After dinner, families hopped on a hayride out to the barn to enjoy a bonfire, complete with s'mores. The next morning, we celebrated Easter with a special brunch and Easter Egg hunt! Our two pet bunnies--the latest addition to the Camp Balcones Springs family--were also on display during the weekend to meet and play with guests of all ages.
We were so happy to spend Easter Weekend with all of the lovely families that stayed with us! We hope everyone had an equally joyful Easter.
The activities began Friday, as families arrived to appetizers and cocktails in our Bluebonnet lounge and a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande dining hall. Afterwards, families gathered on our lawn to watch an outdoor movie under the stars.
The next day was full of camp and Easter fun. Guests played matball on our soccer field, climbed the rock wall and took a ride on the screamer, went down our famous Balcones Springs zipline, played in Lake Ted, took kiddie rides at the horse barn, and decorated eggs and other Easter crafts to celebrate the holiday.
After dinner, families hopped on a hayride out to the barn to enjoy a bonfire, complete with s'mores. The next morning, we celebrated Easter with a special brunch and Easter Egg hunt! Our two pet bunnies--the latest addition to the Camp Balcones Springs family--were also on display during the weekend to meet and play with guests of all ages.
We were so happy to spend Easter Weekend with all of the lovely families that stayed with us! We hope everyone had an equally joyful Easter.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Senior Camper Hang Out!
We had a blast this past Friday in Austin, as the camp team hosted a Senior Camper Hang Out Night with several of our rising senior campers!
The evening started outside of the Austin Salvation Army, as the Camp Balcones Springs mobile food bank, staffed by our senior camper guests, served hot plates of food and drink to the homeless and hungry. We were blessed to be able to serve such a large amount of food--vegetable strew, rice, enchiladas, chicken and turkey sandwiches, fruit, pretzels, and even ice cream! Lines were long, and we were thankfully able to serve food to nearly every person who asked for it.
After cleaning up, we headed back to Christine's house for a cook-out and outdoor movie! While waiting for dinner to be served, campers filled out surveys and spoke with our high school program staff to generate ideas and feedback for the coming summer. CBS is in the process of revamping its Senior Camper program, and we wanted to make sure to include the campers themselves in this reinvention!
Once dinner was served, campers enjoyed burgers from the grill, fruit, chips and salsa, soda, and lemonade while discussing the most recent results of March Madness games (and the current success or failure of their brackets). After eating, campers and staff relaxed in bean bags and blankets in the front yard for an outdoor viewing of Super 8, complete with s'mores.
We were so happy to have the chance to hang out with some of our rising senior campers this Friday, engaging in community service, getting ideas for improving camp this summer, and enjoying a fun movie together. We hope to have another gathering like this again soon, and we hope even more to see all of our rising senior campers this summer!
The evening started outside of the Austin Salvation Army, as the Camp Balcones Springs mobile food bank, staffed by our senior camper guests, served hot plates of food and drink to the homeless and hungry. We were blessed to be able to serve such a large amount of food--vegetable strew, rice, enchiladas, chicken and turkey sandwiches, fruit, pretzels, and even ice cream! Lines were long, and we were thankfully able to serve food to nearly every person who asked for it.
After cleaning up, we headed back to Christine's house for a cook-out and outdoor movie! While waiting for dinner to be served, campers filled out surveys and spoke with our high school program staff to generate ideas and feedback for the coming summer. CBS is in the process of revamping its Senior Camper program, and we wanted to make sure to include the campers themselves in this reinvention!
Once dinner was served, campers enjoyed burgers from the grill, fruit, chips and salsa, soda, and lemonade while discussing the most recent results of March Madness games (and the current success or failure of their brackets). After eating, campers and staff relaxed in bean bags and blankets in the front yard for an outdoor viewing of Super 8, complete with s'mores.
We were so happy to have the chance to hang out with some of our rising senior campers this Friday, engaging in community service, getting ideas for improving camp this summer, and enjoying a fun movie together. We hope to have another gathering like this again soon, and we hope even more to see all of our rising senior campers this summer!
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