Balcones Blog

All of the lastest news from camp during the summer and beyond.

Summer Camp Cuisine + A Seussical Evening!

June 09, 2022

Today on the blog, we want to take a moment to highlight the mastermind behind our legendary camp food – Chef Abigail! Chef Abigail is an innovative and brilliant chef who has been whipping up healthy and tasty recipes with fresh ingredients straight from the Camp Balcones Springs garden! In Chef Abigail’s words, “I’m a firm believer in, and there’s a quote that’s already out there that says, ‘let food be thy medicine.’ I like to give the kids what they want, but also what they need while allowing them to try new things.” We love Chef Abigail here at... Read more.

Cabin Compound Night!

June 08, 2022

The fun continues on our second full day of summer camp at CBS! Today, older girl campers had the opportunity to partake in our cooking class, whipping up the same Caribbean fare mentioned yesterday. We’ve included photos of the recipes to give you a better idea of just how tasty these dishes are! After a day full of activities, including boating on the lake, rock-climbing, and arts and crafts, campers participated in the first Compound Night of the summer. Compound Nights are an opportunity for campers to hang out with the other young people in their age group. (“Compounds” are... Read more.

An Ice Cream Social, Caribbean Cuisine, & a Carnival Party!

June 07, 2022

The first full day of summer camp in Texas is in the books! Monday was packed to the brim with exciting activities and traditions. First, we held our annual First Day Ice Cream Social for new campers. While new campers enjoy an ice cream bar and meet-and-greet with our leadership team and full-time staff, their counselors and returning camper bunkmates hold special cabin talks about what it’s like to be new. In these discussions, counselors encourage returning campers to think of times they have been new or inexperienced and to remember and brainstorm ways that they were or could have... Read more.

Camp Balcones Springs - Term 1 Team Initiation

June 06, 2022

The day we’ve been waiting for is finally here – it’s the start of Summer 2022! We kicked off the first day of summer camp at Camp Balcones Springs with costumed staff singing camp songs at our gates as families dropped off their boy and girl campers. Campers got settled into their cabins, met their counselors, and reunited with old friends – including our beloved summer camp dogs who were so happy to see a crowd of smiling faces again! Once campers were settled into their cabins and had met their bunkmates and counselors, we began our traditional Opening Night... Read more.

Balcones Springs is a Hill Country Haven for Adults and Children Alike

April 04, 2022

The moment I step foot onto the pebble path of Balcones Springs, it’s clear I’m somewhere remarkable. Tucked neatly off of Hill Country Road 1431, the summer camp/retreat/event space/outdoor mecca is both homey and romantic. Every inch of the 250-acre property is carefully detailed — a bright tablecloth, a bouquet of fresh cut garden roses, a western scene stitched onto the hem of a pressed quilt. Simply put, Balcones Springs is magic. So it’s no surprise its owner is magic, too. Dust lifts in the late afternoon light as Christine Baskin eagerly welcomes us in with a wave. Her chinoiserie... Read more.