Yeah, yeah, it's outdoors...

Oldest kid is working at LLYC this summer. Her first time being involved. Growing up, we didn't have enough money to go, but knew people who went. Oldest wanted to work a Christian camp, so encouraged her to apply. She'll be a counselor all summer. It'll be her first time in Texas beyond visiting family.

Taught her the important things like how to pronounce Leakey and Real county. But my knowledge of HEB camp is dated. Haven't been to it in 20 years. Back then, Comanche Outpost was still out by Blue Hole.

Anyone with experience at LLYC?

Assume cell phones don't work in the valley. Any good way to get word to her? Mama will be missing talking to her daily.

What do staffers do on day offs? Is Kerrville the peak excitement?

My dad will be dropping her off. She won't arrive until 7pm and that won't feed her that day. Lunch will be in Boerne with my cousin, but supper recommendations in Kerrville?

Outbound. Sounds really cool. Any experience?

It's been a while since I've been back out there, but I spent at least some part of the summer there every year from 1998-2011 as a camper, program crew, counselor and cook. It's a special place.

In terms of contact, parents can email/write to staff as often as they want. On staff I would write letters back or just call my folks on days off. I'm sure they have more communication available to them now.

But, one of the main points of camp (not just LLYC) is to not be in daily contact with your parents/friends at home IMO. Let her experience a portion of life not plugged in to the day to day BS they're constantly subjected to. Let her foster relationships with other people and if she's on staff then let her start forming friendships with other adults. Let her focus on her campers. I'm still in frequent contact with many of my camp friends. They truly are lifelong relationships.

On days off we mostly stayed in Kerrville/Fred/San Antonio. Austin was about the furthest you'd want to go since it's really only about 20 hours off from the canyon. You really only have time to get where you're going, sleep, do some laundry until it's time to go back.

Tell her to enjoy it. What I would give to spend another summer in the canyon.

I can offer some guidance. I live in Kerrville, constructed multiple building projects at Laity Lodge within the past decade, have friends who work out there full-time, and have I've stayed at the Headwaters camp several times on church retreats.

First, she will have a great time! The hours are long and the pay is light, but it is a fun job. She will make friends and be surrounded by generally like-minded peers while working with kids. The property is incredible and the HEB Foundation has spent a remarkable amount of money the past 10 years improving the land, infrastructure, existing buildings, and especially on new facilities.

No, cell phones don't work down in the canyon, but there are areas of wi-fi so you can connect to the outside world via text and email. The remoteness causes the camp leadership to place a premium on safety and professionalism, in my experience.

There's not a lot in Leakey, so most counselors will head to Kerrville during their time off for supplies, restaurants, and entertainment.

Your dad and her might enjoy the Lakehouse (fried catfish), Rio Ranch Cafe (diner food, everything on the wide ranging menu is great. David's tacos are my favorite), Classics Burgers (old fashioned burger joint on the south side of town). Thai Ocha has great Thai food if they are interested in that.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.

Pro Sandy said:

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Yeah, yeah, it's outdoors...

Oldest kid is working at LLYC this summer. Her first time being involved. Growing up, we didn't have enough money to go, but knew people who went. Oldest wanted to work a Christian camp, so encouraged her to apply. She'll be a counselor all summer. It'll be her first time in Texas beyond visiting family.

Taught her the important things like how to pronounce Leakey and Real county. But my knowledge of HEB camp is dated. Haven't been to it in 20 years. Back then, Comanche Outpost was still out by Blue Hole.

Anyone with experience at LLYC?

Assume cell phones don't work in the valley. Any good way to get word to her? Mama will be missing talking to her daily.

What do staffers do on day offs? Is Kerrville the peak excitement?

My dad will be dropping her off. She won't arrive until 7pm and that won't feed her that day. Lunch will be in Boerne with my cousin, but supper recommendations in Kerrville?

Outbound. Sounds really cool. Any experience?

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I went to LLYC for 8 years growing up. Excellent camp and experience. I also worked on WorkCrew for 5 weeks and it was one of the best experiences of my life. She will have a terrific time, and she will get to spend time with other Christians in one of the most beautiful places in Texas. We used to go to Hunt on days off and slide down the river damn there, but typically, it is a day to go to the store and hang out with your friends.

Maybe most importantly, had my brother put together a play list of Texas country for her. Either he is just old school, or Tdxas music hasn't changed much in the past 15 years since I've left Texas.

Bought her boots and she'll take my Stetson for the summer. So she'll at least dress the part.

Thanks for the Kerrville food suggestions.

My daughter went there for 6 years then worked as a counselor. Made some of her best friends at camp and almost all of them are Aggies now. Most in the same sorority. She will love it.

I called my dad with some food recommendations. He said he'll go to Mamacitas. He said it's his favorite and he doesn't want to try anything new. The TexMex will be good for my daughter who's been eating this CaliMex crap.

Tomorrow she makes it to the valley!

So is the HEB foundation connected to HEB stores?

Yes. Charles Butt runs the grocery chain, while Howard ran the Foundation up until his death a few years ago. The Foundation has generous supporters in their own right, but the grocery business is the major funding source.

Thanks! Just wondering if the woke grocery store leadership is bleeding over into this Christian camp and ruining it?

Heard from her last night. She finished life guard training and made her first trip to an HEB in Kerrville. She's heard me refer to things like an HEB bag or HEB feet, but never been.

She sent some pics.




Last time I was on Circle Bluff was probably 2002. I recognize the field at Linnets Wings, but that place now known as Headwaters was an unairconditioned primitive camp called Comanche Outpost.

She's absolutely loving it. Said she's been so busy she hasn't had time to miss home. Campers just days away. Even said that dad was right in her needing to work there! How often you hear a teenager admit you're right?

My childhood home is 3 miles downstream from those pictures.

That's great to hear she's loving the experience!

Let's just say the new facilities are a bit of an improvement over Comanche Outpost. We used the old cooking shack as our jobsite office in 2012-2013. It was...unique.

My kids will be there in about 10 days to start first session! It's beautiful and my kids cannot wait to get back!

My wife went to LLYC as a camper/counselor for 14 summers. She absolutely loves it. Our niece is going this year and will be at Singing Hills. It's an amazing place, not much like it anymore

2nd session ended today. Halfish way through the summer. She's working all summer which seems to be the unusual employment for summer staff. She's absolutely loving it, except for the lack of air conditioning in the cabin. Brutal these past two weeks.

Asked her today while she was in Kerrville her favorite thing. She said the campers are good, but really it is the relationships with other staff. Told her working at Philmont was the same. Sure, we are there for the scouts, and I have some I remember, and I am sure almost all my scouts could name me as their ranger, but my memories are mainly around the other staff members.

She said some campers asked her if she'd come back next summer. She said probably, but would want a job that warranted an air conditioned bunkhouse!

She's seen a few things outside the valley. Kerrville multiple times and been to Austin and Llano staying with friends she's made.

Mama is doing OK with her being gone. We send letters weekly and she can get wifi occasionally, so she'll get on for a few minutes and send whatsapp messages.

Tomorrow 3rd session begins. My niece will be arriving and will be at Echo Valley with my daughter. My nephew will be upstream at Singing Hills.

She's been home for a few weeks now. Had a great summer. 9 weeks of campers plus lifeguard training and staff orientation. She had her highs and lows, but loved it overall.

She said coming home has been tough. We have been out on the west coast for a couple of years, so she doesn't feel very connected to this area, other that her folks live here. She also said she went and saw her friends who live here and after a few hours they said "you've so different."

Told her that is all normal and part of the reason we wanted her to leave for the summer. She grew in maturity and self-confidence. She doesn't know what she wants to do next, but she's in a good place in life. 18, no commitments, and the ability to do just about anything. I'm glad she worked there and she plans on working there again next summer.

I went to HEB church camp several times when I was a kid. Loved it.

And she's back out there! Loved it so much she's working again as a cabin counselor. The A/C was tempting her to take a different job at the camp, but she stuck with working with the girls. Drove her out there last week, so she'll have a car this summer.

She wanted a car so that on off days, she wasn't dependent on others.

Was good for me as I got a quick trip to Texas out of it. Ate Whataburger, Blue Bell, stayed at El Capitan in Van Horn and ate their fried steak, and ate Mex-Tex (not sure if that is more or less Texan than Mexican compared to Tex-Mex) in Boerne with my cousin.

Word is that AT&T has built a new tower and service may actually exist in the valley, but we have Verizon, so nothing for her.

Going back to Texas for the 4th and will visit her one night with another one of the kiddos. Anyone ever visit their kid on staff or have their parents visit while working? I assume I just come for supper and round-up?