Welcome

At Camp Balcones Springs, we want our campers to thrive and grow to

reach their full potential. We want to be an extension of your family, a
valuable resource in helping you accomplish your goal as a mother or
father.
Over the past few years, we have made several changes to help
accomplish these goals. We do so in order to continually improve our
program to best suit the needs of todays youth. We recognize these needs
and understand the ever-changing culture in which children live. Therefore, we strive to create a place where heroes of character and faith impart
and inspire, and a secure environment in which hugs, laughs, and PHUN
are always abundant.
In order to best fill the needs and expectations of your children, please
feel free to call the camp office and speak with any one of our devoted
full-time staff. We are always looking for great ideas.
Safety is our top priority. We continue to implement new standards and
practices as we build into our facility, our programs and staff training.
Our infirmary continues to develop each year to ensure that every child
has adequate health care based on the most current practices. We base
our health care around recommendations from the Camp Nurses Association, ACA and Texas State Health Department Services.
Camp Balcones Springs is an ACA (American Camp Association)
accredited camp. The ACA is an organization dedicated to educating and
improving summer camps across the country. Their standards are set
very high to ensure that summer camps are safe, fun, and cutting edge.
Since 2001, CBS has been accredited and met standards for health, safety,
and program quality. We will continue to meet these standards year after
year to ensure we are the best camp we can be.
Meet the Full-time Staff:
Christine Baskin, Owner
Jason Brown, Camp Director
Marietta Johnson, Founding Director
Adrienne Grissom, Associate Director
Jeremy Jenkins, Assistant Director
Daniel Mataya, Activities Director
Josh Siemens, High School Programs
Cameron Metzker, Intern

Table of Contents
New Updates to Forms .................................................................... 1
Medical ........................................................................................... 2
Medication ............................................................................... 2
Insurance................................................................................... 2
Physician Form.2
Camper Participation Agreement ............................................... 2
Special Requests ...........................................................................3-4
Bunk Request Form................................................................... 3
Preorder Form ........................................................................... 4
Bunk Bag .................................................................................. 4
Transportation .............................................................................5-6
Preparing Your Camper ................................................................7-8
Packing List................................................................................ 9-12
Packing Tips ........................................................................... 12
Laundry .................................................................................. 12
Things to Know ............................................................................. 13
Activity Choices ...................................................................... 13
Oasis Account.13
Communication.............................................................................. 15
Mail and Packages ................................................................... 15
CampMinder. 16
Photos and Email ................................................................ 16
High School Programs.........17-18
Program Design ........................................................................ 19-20
2014 Theme Nights........21-22
The Big Days ...................................................... ..23-24
Opening Day............................................................................ 23
Closing Day ............................................................................ 23
Map to Camp ................................................................................ 25
Accommodations .......................................................................... 26
FAQ ............................................................................................. 27
Camp Information ........................................................................ 28

New Update to Forms

Please read the following section carefully.
All the forms for each camper will be online in your CampMinder
account under the Forms Dashboard. To get there easily, click on
the Forms button at the bottom of the screen of the camp
website (www.campiscool.com). Then click on the link labeled Click
here for forms. This takes you to the login page for your
CampMinder account. Once you login, you will see a Forms Dashboard. All the forms will be listed for each camper.

There are two types of forms. The first type is a web form and
has a computer screen icon next to it. The web forms are
completely paperless and can be filled out online. The information
is stored directly in your campers profile in our database. The
second type of form is a paper form and has an arrow icon next to
it. These forms must be downloaded and printed. Once they are
completed the paper forms need to be mailed to camp.
The following are 2014 forms:
* Health History (required) Web Form
* Physician Examination (required) Print and Mail or Email
* Camper Participation (required) Print & Mail or Email
* Bunk Request (optional) Web Form
* Additional Options/Transportation (optional) Web Form

Medical
We have two nurses on staff each term who live on property. In the
event of an injury that requires more attention, the nearest minor
emergency is 15 minutes away and hospital emergency room is 35 minutes
away. We also have a camp doctor that makes regular visits to camp and
is on call 24 hours a day.

Medications
We also offer the CampRX. Program..
This is NOT a mandatory change, but a way to help your childs
medication be easier and safer while they are at camp.
If you are sending medications with the camper they must:
Check in medications at registration at the appropriate medical table.
Campers cannot keep medications with them (except inhaler/epi-pen)
Please package medication in its original packaging with the label
attached, including the campers name as the primary patient, and place it
in a clear plastic bag. If the dose has changed from what is indicated on
package...a physicians note will be required with new instructions.
Please send the complete amount of medicine needed for the
duration of your childs stay with us at camp.

Insurance
Our camper families (and their respective insurance) take responsibility
for any required medical services, including (but not limited to) x-rays,
prescriptions, physical therapy, lab work, and emergency room visits. We
will bill you for these services if the physician or hospital we use is not a
provider for your insurance company. We will require all campers to be
covered by medical insurance.

Physician Form (Print an Mail)

The Physician Form is for your physician to complete as your camper gets
a physical and for them to sign off on your campers health and approve
them for camp activity. A physical must be done every year. Once the
form is complete, please mail it in to camp so we can have it on file.

Camper Participation Agreement (Print and Mail)

All legal details regarding your childs participation at camp are included
on this form. Review this document carefully, sign, and return. We will
need to have it on file before your child can take part in any camp
activities.

Special Requests
Bunk Request Form
Camper families sometimes request a particular cabin mate for their child.
Due to the complexity of multiple factors to be considered, we cannot always meet these requests. Therefore, we do our best to accommodate
cabin requests, but do not guarantee that a particular request will be met.
All placements are revealed when the campers arrive on Opening Day.
Rest assured that placements are not random, but are selected with great
care and consideration for all involved.

Potential ConflictsWe would like to accommodate every request.

Unfortunately, however, we cannot do so, because inevitably some requests conflict with either (1) other requests and/or (2) other objectives
for the camp experience.

1. Conflicts With Other RequestsOccasionally, one family (Family

A) may request that their child be in the same cabin with a child from
another family (Family B), but Family B may request that their child
not be in the same cabin with the child from Family A. Obviously, we
cannot accommodate both requests (We realize this is a sensitive situation)! Also, cabin requests can produce an impossible daisy chain
situationi.e. Child A wants to be with Child B who wants to be with
Child C who wants to be with Child D, etc. Our cabins accommodate up
to eight campers, so capacity issues alone (not to mention the desirable diversity issues mentioned below) may prevent us from accommodating a daisy chain.

2. Conflicts With Other Important Objectives- Cabin requests

sometimes conflict with other important goals. We cannot accommodate requests that would create a large age disparity in a cabin (such
disparities are bad for both younger and older).
How To Make A Meetable RequestTo increase the chances
that we will be able to meet your requests...consider the following:
- Keep the above conflicts in mind.
- Cabin requests are not always in a childs best interests.
- Be timely and keep your request simple.

Additional Options
We have worked hard this year to provide the most quality
merchandise in the latest styles at reasonable prices.
Our CAMP GEAR will be available to you in two ways:
Pre-Ordering: This secures the items and sizes you want before camp
starts. We deliver them to your camper on the first day of the term.
The advantage of pre-ordering is that you are able to reserve items
that may become sold out. This especially helps out campers attending
our later terms, as by that time a lot of the merchandise could be out of
stock. When you pre-order, we set aside your merchandise before camp
begins and save it until your camper arrives. To pre-order, fill out the
Additional Options Form online.
During Camp: You may wait until camp starts to allow your camper to choose
what they might like from our great selection of CAMP GEAR. Campers
will have the opportunity to visit The Camp Store and buy gear. All sales
will be deducted from the campers Oasis Account. The Camp Store offers other items not available for pre-order (eg. Team gear, fun
souvenirs, sunscreen, cameras, stamps, etc) in a variety of prices.
**Every camper receives one CBS T-shirt just for crossing the gate! They
will also receive a Team T-shirt for Team Competition days.

Bunk Bag
We have provided Bunk Bags for many years now, and they are always a big
hit! A Bunk Bag is a care package that is pre-ordered by you and delivered
by us. Bunk Bags are designed to give parents an easy way to send a care
package. We always strive to put together a fun package with lots of smilemaking goodies inside. This year we have assembled what we think will be a
smash hit for campers of all ages by offering a boys and girls bunk bag.
This summer we are also offering a Mission Impossible style bunk bag that
will contain some of the necessities for everyones favorite night.

If you would like to order a Bunk Bag, please indicate so on the Additional
Options Form online. Remember, dont tell your camperits a surprise!!

Transportaon
Flight Transportation
For those traveling by plane, please book flights to and from Austin during
a pre-determined window of time (see below). All flight arrangements
must be cleared through CBS by May 1st. E-mail all flight information to
jsiemens@campbalconessprings.com The cost of the airport shuttle is $50
per person each way.
Arrivals: Campers traveling to CBS via airplane need to fly into the
Austin-Bergstrom Airport between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm the opening
Sunday of their Term. Due to security measures, our staff will not be able
to meet the campers at the gate upon arrival. Staff will greet campers in
the baggage claim area. To better assure camper safety while traveling,
please forward all flight information to the above email address as soon as
possible.
Departures (special cases only): Campers traveling from CBS via airplane need to fly from the Austin-Bergstrom Airport between 1:30pm and
2:30pm the closing Saturday of their Term.
Note: For campers from Mexico, it may be more convenient to fly into
San Antonio International Airport. All flights arriving in San Antonio must
arrive between 12:00pm and 1:30pm. Please feel free to call the camp
office with any questions regarding international travel.

Bus Transportation
We understand that experiencing Opening Day together is an awesome
time, especially for new families! However, for campers who are ready,
the bus experience can be an incredible way to get a head-start at building
camp friendships. We strongly encourage all returning campers and new
campers, who feel comfortable, to take the bus!

On the bus, your child will meet some of our enthusiastic counselors, get to
know other campers, play games, laugh, sing, and have a BLAST! When the bus
arrives, campers are welcomed by a tunnel of excited greeters who will help
them find their cabin and introduce them to their counselors. While all of
this excitement is going on, a team will deliver your campers luggage to the
their assigned cabin.
To reserve a spot, fill out the appropriate section on our online forms.
Because buses have a limited capacity, service is offered on a first-come,
first-served basis. CBS also reserves the right to cancel bus service due
to low demand in which case fees will be refunded. All cancellations must
be made two-weeks prior to your campers scheduled arrival date at
camp.
After this date, ALL transportation deposits are non-refundable.
Services will be provided for all terms (except Term 1A and 4A) in each
city listed. If you live in a surrounding area, meet us at the closest site!
Arrive at the pick-up location at least 30-45 minutes before departure.
Services are not offered for the trip home. It is best for parents to be
present for closing activities.
Austin: The Austin Bus leaves from The Container Store parking lot on the
southeast corner of the intersection of 183 & 360 (across from the Arboretum). The bus will depart at 1:45. Please be there no later than 1:15.
Please have lunch before boarding the bus. The cost of riding the bus
from Austin is $50.
Dallas: The Dallas Bus will leave from North Park Shopping Center parking
lot (at the corner of Boedecker and Northwest Hwy near Neiman
Marcus). The bus will depart promptly at 10:45 am. Please plan to be
there no later than 10:15. The cost of riding the Dallas bus is $100.
Campers riding the bus from Dallas will need to pack a lunch.
Houston: The Houston Bus will leave from The Target parking lot on 4323
San Felipe (close to the Galleria). The bus will depart promptly at 10:45
am. Please plan to be there no later than 10:15 am. Please bring a
sack lunch. The cost of riding the Houston bus is $100.

Preparing your campThe Heart of the Matter

In preparing for the summer we want you, our camper parents, to feel
like our partners. We plan to give your children an INCREDIBLE
summer, but your childs camp experience depends partly on youeven
though you are not at camp. While we are working hard to prepare camp,
this section contains a few suggestions on how you can help prepare your
childs heart in order to enhance the CBS experience both before and
during camp.

BEFORE CAMP
Watch our DVD. Talk about what to expect, activities offered, who will
be going, and how long your child will be here. Let your child know that
you are interested in what will be happening and will be anxious to know
what he or she has learned.

Pack together. Be involved with your child during preparations. For example, let him/her help buy the trunk or mark his/her name on the clothing. Then, your child will know what is in the trunk and feel more responsible for his/her belongings.

Prepare the postage. We want your camper to write while he/she is at

camp. Parents can simplify the process by addressing and stamping cards
and envelopes before their camper leaves.
Do NOT emphasize the negative.
Sidestep the separation. Do not warn your camper about homesickness.
Doing so tends to increase the probability that your child will experience
it. If your child brings it up, let them know that you understand that
they may feel homesick, but that homesickness does not last forever,
and neither does camp! Avoid unnecessary talk about home. Dont tell
your camper what a wonderful time the whole family is going to have July
4th while he/she is at camp.
Dont promise to save them if they get homesick. Your child will remember and hold you to it, making a very conquerable homesickness battle
lost before it even begins.

Emphasize the positive. Emphasize that camp is their

opportunity (not yours) to have a great time! Tell them how exciting/fun/
adventurous camp is going to be! Tell them how proud you are of them and
how well they are going to do!
Be prepared for cold feet. A day or two before camp, your child may
say, I do not want to go to camp! Do not panic or overreact. Almost all
first-time campers get cold feet just before they leave home. They just
need some reassurance.

DURING CAMP
Homesickness alert. Homesickness at camp is very normal for kids
especially first-time campers. As a result, you may get some sad letters
saying Please come get me now! I want to go home! This can be tough on
parents (often tougher than it is on the campers). Let us make a few comments about this.

We can treat it. We can deal with just about any homesickness case. That
is part of our job.

This, too, will pass. Homesickness can last for a few hours or up to 4 or 5
days, but children do come out of this. The result is incredible personal
growth, self-worth, and independence.

Leaving camp is usually the worst answer. If you try to alleviate your childs
homesickness by taking him/her home, you will foster a sense of I cant
make it at camp or When the going gets rough, mom and dad will rescue me.
This is not the desired goal.

Stay the course. For the above reason, we ask you to see camp as a commitment both on your part and ours. Together we can provide an incredible opportunity for personal growth for your child.

Packing List
Please know that this list is simply a GUIDLINE, and it is important
that you pack enough (socks, underwear, etc.) to cover your childs
specific needs. For example, it he or she wears 3 or 4 pairs of socks a
day instead of 1 pair, please pack accordingly.
Here are a few of our most frequently discussed topics regarding the
packing list.
1.) Cowboy boots are imperative only if your child is interested in taking horseback. Campers 2nd grade and younger will be scheduled for
horseback during their term at camp, so they will need boots. We do
have a selection of smaller sized boots available, but Of course, they
are a great costume addition for Rodeo Roundup, but not mandatory.
2.) During a two and three week term, laundry is done on Saturdays.
Campers are encouraged to change sheets and wash towels at this
time. We do our best to insure this.
3.) We apologize in advance if you notice your child (most often boys)
in the same camo shirt 3 days in a row!
4.) There are several different options when buying a trunk for camp.
If you are looking for an inexpensive option, then the trunks available
at most Wal-Mart and Target locations will work. They wont last as
long, but have a low initial cost. If you would like a more durable trunk,
we recommend the Happy Camper Footlocker from Everything Summer Camp. This trunk has a higher price but will last forever. Remember to stay under the 13.5 inch height.
5.) New This year; please do not bring duct tape for the purpose
of taping pictures up. We will provide tape.
Please do not bring duct tape, candy, food, gum, drinks, or fireworks.
PLEASE ABSOLUTELY NO DIGITAL CAMERAS or CELL PHONES!
CBS is not responsible for any banned item that is lost at camp.

Packing List
To pack in Trunk:
Pajamas
8pr. underwear
10 pr. socks
2 pr. jeans
1 sweatshirt
1 long sleeve shirt
8 short sleeve shirts *
2 white shirt (for Sunday)
1 pr. White or Khaki shorts (for Sunday)
8 pr. Shorts
2 athletic one-piece swimsuits
1 modest two piece swimsuit for Balcones Beach only**
1 brimmed hat (baseball or tennis cap)
Camouflage Items
1 destructible T-shirt (matters not if it returns home!)
2 laundry bags w/ name clearly on the outside
Poncho
Backpack (for hiking, etc.)
*All tank tops must be at least 2 fingers in width.
** Modest swimsuits can be found in the J. Crew and Athleta Catalogs
Shoes:
2 pairs of tennis shoes (one for daily use and one grubby pair that can
get dirty and wet)
Cowboy bootsmandatory for horseback riding (cannot ride
without boots). Inexpensive boots can be found at Target, Wal-Mart,
Cavender's Boot City, etc. No hiking boots, they must have a heel.
Campers under the age of 10 can bring their own boots, do not worry about
buying new boots; we have small boots available.
Sport Sandals (with a back strap) or Crocs for Waterfront
Activities
Flip Flopsfor showering in cabin only
Nice shoes for evening programs. (Strapless shoes are allowed for
evening programs ONLY.)
Sports Equipment (if you have it label it):
Tennis racket, Baseball glove, Fishing pole, Frisbee

10

To pack in duffel bag:

2 sets of twin sheets
1 pillow
2 pillow cases
2 washcloths
2 regular towels
1 light blanket
1 sleeping bag
1 large beach towel (an old one)
Personal Items: LABLE EVERYTHING
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
Shampoo and soap
Shower Tote
Waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15+)
Cup
Comb and Brush
Lotion
Insect repellent
Flashlight
Water bottle or canteen mandatory
Optional:

Stationery and pens, pencils, stamps

Bible
Goggles
Sunglasses
Costumes for theme nights
Fan (small battery powered)
Water Balloons or Water gun
Disposable Camera

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME: iPods, Digital Cameras, PSPs, cell

phones, radios, Game Boys, CD Players, or any other electronic devices! THIS APPLIES TO ALL AGES. Girls- please do not bring
any valuable jewelry. Also, THERE IS NO NEED FOR MONEY AT
CAMP. No bicycles or any other forms of transportation, please.

11

Packing Connued
Packing Tips
Tip #1: Pack clothing in a trunk and duffel bag. To be conscious of space,
we ask that campers do not bring any extra containers. Trunks should
be no larger than 32 wide by 13 high to ensure they fit under the bunk.
For help buying trunks, go to www.EverythingSummerCamp.com or
www.kangaroocase.com

Tip #2: Camp is tough on clothes. Old clothes work best. Some campers
do like to bring a favorite outfit for special party nights. Look at the
Theme Night section when packing!

Tip #3: Label all items. Clothes easily get mixed and lost! Mark every
item to help minimize your campers losses. The best thing to do is to
invest in some fun clothing/accessory labels:
www.stuckonyou.com

Tip #4: Use Ziploc bags to waterproof items (stationary, playing cards,
etc.). This helps protect them AND helps campers stay organized.
Tip #5: This packing list is meant to be a guide. Certain items are not
essential to camp, but can provide for a more PHUN experience!

Laundry
Once a week we will be sending campers clothes to a laundry service.
Campers will be responsible for putting their dirty laundry in a
laundry bag and bringing it to the drop-off point. Their clothes will
be returned cleaned and folded, usually with a one-day turn around.
Laundry service is deducted from the Oasis account. New clothes
must be washed prior to camp so dye will not run in the wash.
Camp is not responsible for discolored clothing.

12

Things to Know

Pow Wow - Just before or after lunch, each cabin gathers together for a
time of growth. Character qualities and basic aspects of the Christian
faith are discussed along with practical applications.
Recharge - After lunch, campers return to their cabins to rest. During this
time, campers can rest, read, write letters, or do another quiet activity on
their bunk.
OasisAfter rest time the whole camp will gather at Oasis for healthy
snacks, drinks, and just fun hang-out time before the afternoon
activities begin.
PHUNanza- a truly unique part of Camp Balcones Springs. Each afternoon,
campers will have the opportunity to choose the activities they want to do.
The whole camp is open for our campers to just have PHUN!
Flagpole
Every morning and evening we gather around the flagpole to raise the flag,
hear announcements, watch skits and have some fun!
Cabin Clean-up
Everyday, each camper helps to clean house! During the morning classes
the Mystery Lady will inspect them. Cabins earning high scores can earn
anything from a soda or a special lunch or fun privileges at Balcones Beach.

Oasis Account
To keep campers from dealing with loose cash, CBS has established an account system called the Oasis Account. When paying the camp fee, parents
are required to submit this minimum balance to provide for their campers
extra needs during their term at camp. These extra needs include laundry,
cabin picture, and camp store account.

13

Activity Choices
Campers (3rd grade and up) have the opportunity to design their own personalized schedules! Top choices will be repeated 3 days a week while other choices
will be rotated to give campers a variety of all kinds of activities.
During the first two days of camp, campers will sign up for classes by cabin and
activity period. To ensure that everyone has the chance to get their first
choice, each set of two cabins will sign up first for at least one activity period.
This change will allow us to provide a more specialized schedule, decrease
schedule changes, and improve our activity curriculum.
Campers second grade and younger will travel as a cabin with a designated
traveler to guide them and make sure they are prepared for activities.
They will not have individualized schedules and for safety their cabins are
not scheduled for Riflery, Archery or Sailing. Also, campers must weigh a
minimum of 65 pounds to go on the zip-line.
All campers go to Lake Travis as a cabin during as part of their minor activity
schedule. All activities are open during PHUNanza so campers have a opportunity to try activities they are not scheduled for.

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Communicaon
From us to you.
You can expect a call from your childs counselor during the first week of
camp. THIS DOESNT MEAN THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. It is just
to let you know how things are going. In addition, we will call you if your
child is in the infirmary over night, is seriously homesick, or if we have any
other concerns.

From you to us.

Call us anytime. We love talking to our camper families! If you are waiting

to speak with your childs counselor, please understand that their responsibilities with the campers keep them out on the property for much of the
day. Your call is important to our staff, and they will return your call as
soon as possible!

From your child to you.

We require the campers to write one letter home each week and encourage
them to write more often. Remember that no news is good news from
camp. Some campers will write every day and others will rarely write.
If you would like
To send your child
A letter...

SNAIL MAIL:
Childs Name, Childs Cabin
104 Balcones Springs Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654

PACKAGES:
If you enjoy sending care packages, here are some tips and guidelines:

Tip 1: Send absolutely no gum, duct tape, food, drinks, fireworks, candy,
or silly string. Some parents think that it is fun to send packages and
hide contraband in teddy bears, tennis balls, etc. Although we realize it
is intended to be fun, this sends the wrong message to your child about
cooperating with camp rules. Your help is greatly appreciated!!!
Tip 2: Send things like magazines, comics, books, toys, games, etc. You
do not have to send a lot of stuff. Just getting a package will mean a lot
to your camper.
Tip 3: Take advantage of the CBS surprise Bunk Bag! It is a fun, unique
care package that camp puts together.

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CampMinder
Photos and Email
For those of you who are joining us for the first time, get ready for a
multitude of insights into your childs world! With the click of a button,
youll see photographs of daily activities, read articles about daily events,
and be able to email your child.
Included in your campers tuition are 10 camper stamps per camper per week which allow you to send your child emails while they are at
camp. Simply type the message by 9 a.m. and click to send it. At 10 a.m. we
print, sort, and deliver all e-mails along with the regular mail. Many parents
love this option for the time and hassle it saves.
Not only can you view pictures of your child while they are at camp,
but now you have the option of purchasing them as well. If you see a great
picture of your child, click a button and order it-itll ship right to your door.
(Note: CBS does not have anything to do with the ordering of pictures.
Purchases are made through CampMinder directly). Another great option is
to download these pictures straight to your computer. Simply right click
and select Save Image As.
Note: CampMinder is a contracted service. CBS does not have any
control over technical difficulties. Any questions concerning difficulties
should be voiced to CampMinder directly. You may send a ticket to their
staff which will give you a response by email (click on Help link on the top
of the page).
To Login to CampMinder
1. Go to our camp site, www.campiscool.com.
2. Click on the Photos and Email icon.
Type in your user name and password that you created when you
enrolled your camper. If you do not remember, there is a link to retrieve your password.
You may now navigate to Emails, Photos, News, Videos, etc.
*emails and phone calls sent the day before closing may not have be circulated

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High School Programs

We realize that these years are crucial in the development of a young
person and we want to provide an opportunity for growth as well as
continue the relationships we have already begun with your family. These
young men and women will learn attributes they will need to be successful
leaders and be able to apply it directly to their lives when they leave.
Senior Campers
(Campers who have completed the 9th Grade)
The senior camper program is a transitional year intended to break
campers out of the traditional camper mold and equip them for the
high school programs. Senior Campers schedules include chosen activities, such as skiing and tubing on Lake Travis, and many of the same
night-time activities; however, Senior Campers also enjoy one period a
day called a Senior Camper Period. During that time, they enjoy activities designed specifically for them, like Top Chef Cook-off and TShirt Tie-Dyeing. Senior Campers live in an exclusive grouping of cabins complete with a scenic view, fire pit and pavilion. It is many campers favorite year.
Leadership Training (LT)
(Campers who have completed the 10th grade)

Leadership Training is a big step in the high school programs, as it

is focused on character development through various leadership
roles. LTs oversee and staff areas of responsibility, which include
the Post Office, Oasis, and the Adopt-a-Cabin program. LTs also
go through the arduous process of becoming lifeguard-certified,
an intense, 32-hour course that includes CPR for the professional
rescuer. The Lifeguard Certification is valid for two years, and the
completion of the course not only bolsters self-esteem but also
gains the respect of the rest of Camp. The Program also involves
participating in community service projects and listening to guest
speakers who share information on preparing for college, goalsetting, healthy lifestyle guidelines, and the importance of faith in
making major life decisions. LTs stay in the posh Thicket with its
luxurious accommodations and spectacular balcony view of Lake Ted.

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High School Programs

Work Crew
(Campers who have completed the 11th Grade)
The young men and women who participate in the Work Crew Program
at Camp Balcones Springs have said that they have never been more
rewarded...or more exhausted! We ask our Work Crew to spend hours
washing dishes, helping with food preparation and service, setting up
buffets, collecting garbage, saddling horses, preparing for evening
activities, and any other odd jobs that may arise. They may complain
initially because the work load is heavy, but they realize (if they dont
already know) that life becomes bigger and takes on more meaning
when we care for and serve others. Work Crew learns that love is
work, and they learn to work without expecting a reward. They acquire a deeper, more mature sense of themselves and others. In essence, they experience the satisfaction that comes only through placing anothers needs before their own. Time off for the Work Crew is
carefully planned and executed; they are treated to gourmet meals,
skiing on Lake Travis, movies in town, special lunches, and massages
and facials during Pamper Night. They are respected around Camp by
all staff and campers. Work Crew participants will receive a certificate documenting the 120 hours of community service they will complete in the program. Thus far, high schools have universally accepted
this documentation; it is a program where space is limited and fills up
quickly.
Junior Counselors (JC)
(Campers who have completed the 12th grade)

A JC is a hired and paid staff position for our one, two, or three
week terms. JCs stay in a cabin with two counselors and up to seven campers. They participate in the day-to-day responsibilities involved in being a counselor. JCs assist in teaching classes and help
keep harmony in the cabin in any way that becomes necessary. JCs
do not replace counselors but are there to observe and learn from
them, with the hope that they will be excellently prepared and experienced to be full-time counselors in the following summer.

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Program Design
Moral and Spiritual Growth
Moral and spiritual education is important to the growth of
a well-rounded child. Our beautiful wilderness setting and
our mature counselors position us to help you give your child
this education. Our approach has two aspects.
The first is character education; we teach the virtues that
produce great character (e.g. courage, honesty, fairness,
compassion, loyalty, friendship, self-discipline, etc.), virtues
that are admired the world over.
The second aspect is spiritual in nature. Specifically, we
teach a non-denominational Christian message. It is similar
to what C.S. Lewis calls an agreed, common, central, or
mere Christianityi.e. that God is loving and just and that
Christ is the son of God. Through Christ, we can have a
relationship with God. We present this message with great
enthusiasm; however, we carefully refrain from urging
campers toward any one Christian denomination.
We are fortunate to have had campers of non-Christian
(e.g. Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.) backgrounds. We
welcome these campers. We respect both them and their
faith. We take great care not to put them on the spot. We
hope to learn from them while allowing them to see
Christianity through us.

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Our Christian education has several components. We say

prayers before each meal and pray at flag pole. We
conduct up-beat church services on Sundays. We sing
songs, give inspirational talks (at our daily pow-wows),
and teach valuable moral and spiritual lessons. These
songs, talks, and lessons have a Christian theme. We are
not a church camp that emphasizes denominational
issues or formal Bible studies. By far the most important
component of our Christian education is our counselors.
We hire young people who want to model good character
and Christian faith. We then train them to communicate
our message in a relaxed, no-pressure, and ageappropriate manner; to walk the walk and not just talk
the talk; to model exemplary behavior; and to love, not
judge, others. In these counselors, your children will see
committed Christians who also are tons of fun.
Families who have attended either camp or our PHUNanza
parties are familiar with our philosophy. However, a
growing number of families are coming to camp without
ever attending a PHUNanza party. Thats great! But we
want to make sure that all of our families understand our
approach and commitment to moral and spiritual growth.

20

2014 Theme Nights

FOODAPALOOZA!: Only one thing is needed for this dance: a big appetite! Get ready for
crazy food challenges, delicious snacks, and sure-to-be hilarious costumes in this everything food
themed dance. Were licking our chops for this one! Come as your favorite meal or snack, could be
as simple as a shirt with a hot dog on it or as intricate as cotton candy. Or come as a waitress, top
chef, or dishwasher.

I LOVE THE 90s:

90s

Ever wonder what life was like WAY back in the 90s? Well, heres your
chance to find out! This blast from the past will provide a glimpse of what life was like before
Xbox, Ipods, and Facebook and introduce you to household names such as Nintendo, Walkman, and
Dial-up. So throw on your most comfortable wide-leg pants, tie a hoodie around your waist, and
flip that baseball cap backwards, and join us for this 90s-themed party that is sure to be all that and
a bag of chips.

GLOW WITH THE FLOW: Grab your shades and get ready to stand out! There is nothing dull about this night. Prepare for bright colors and crazy black lights! If it lights up or chases
darkness away, then put it on! Be a lightning bug or a glow stick, or just wear a plain white tee and
watch it glow! This dance will brighten everyones day!

Rodeo Roundup: YEEHAW! A camp tradition with some additions that will boot scoot your
mind away. This dance is bigger and better than ever. Put on your boots, hats, bandanas, and spurs
because this is going to be a saddle-up style good time. Cotton candy, root beer, funnel cakes
sounds like grand ole fun!
CBS Music Video Awards:
Awards Go ahead and bring something nice to wear for this awesome
show. We will watch your cabins video and hand out awards for videos that are out of this world.
New for this year: Awards for best individual performance! Dont forget fancy shoes are okay for
this night.
The CBS Club:
Club Were offering something very special to campers this summer! Membership into
the CBS Hill-Country Club. This isnt your typical golf, tennis, or yacht club. Nope! This is a
club for PHUN! Wear your favorite country club attire to this tailgate-inspired evening filled with
all your favorite backyard games and great refreshments! (Dress code loosely enforced)

Halloween Havoc: Gremlins and Goblins and witches on brooms, you are invited to party under
the moon. Its a CBS Halloween party thatll be such a fright; dancing and eating and music all
night! Get ready for this spook-tacularly fun night where any costume will do! Were DYING to see
this one!

Wild things:

We bought a zoo, and you all will be the animals! Get dressed as your favorite
animal, and get ready to swing like a monkey, wiggle like a snake, or hop like a kangaroo at this
wild party!

COUNSELOR HUNT: Its hunting season at CBS! What are we hunting?? Counselors!!
Get ready to join the search in this massive game of hide-and-seek across the whole camp
property! Earn points for each counselor you find and redeem your points for fun prizes!! NO
costumes needed.

21

2014 Theme Nights

Terms 1 and 4
Foodapalooza!

I Love the 90s

Glow With The Flow

Rodeo Roundup
Term 2
Foodapalooza!

I Love the 90s

Glow With The Flow
CBS Music Video Awards

Rodeo Roundup
Term 3
Foodapalooza!

I Love the 90s

The CBS Club
COUNSELOR HUNT

Wild things
Glow With The Flow

Halloween Hav
Havoc
CBS Music Video Awards

Rodeo Roundup
Terms 1A and 4A
Glow With The Flow

Rodeo Roundup
ALL TERMS DONT FORGET YOUR CAMO FOR MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!

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The Big Days

Opening Day
We can hardly wait! We request that all girls check in on Sunday between 4:00
and 4:45 and that all boys check in between 4:45 and 5:30. Any families (or
carpools) with both girls and boys may check in during either time interval. The
staggered times help to eliminate lines and make your entire check-in much
smoother.
Beds are pre-assigned, so there is no advantage in coming early! Our entrance
will be locked until 4:00. The purpose of this policy is not to inconvenience our
camper families, but to assure that we are 100% ready for your children! Like
the cast in a big theater production, our staff needs every minute prior to
curtain time to prepare, so please do not arrive early.

We ask parents to leave by 6:00 PM so campers can begin their camp experience.
Also, please have any medication on hand to be given to our nurses during checkin.
If you enrolled in Term 1A or Term 4A, please plan to arrive at camp on Sunday
between 2:00pm and 3:00 PM. Your childs counselor will be eagerly awaiting your
childs arrival and we will settle your child into his/her cabin and make their
bunk. We ask that all parents leave by 4 PM, and do not plan on visiting your
childs cabin. Camp will be in session and it is best to not have parents seen by
campers.

Closing Day
We have taken your feedback to heart and have pushed back the starting time
of our Closing Day Ceremony! This summer, the Closing Ceremony will officially
begin at 10:00 AM. The gates will open at 9:30 AM to allow traffic to flow, and
we will still be serving refreshments on the parking lot side of the soccer field,
but please, do not arrive any earlier than this time.
We will conduct a formal flag ceremony on the soccer field at 10:00 AM. Following the ceremony, girls will attend brunch at 10:15 AM in the Pavilion, while
boys will report to the Rio Grande for the term video viewing. At 11:00 AM,
girls and boys will swap places. We encourage you to visit the camp store and our
re-registration table during any down time.

23

We hope that you will be present at this last official event of the camp
term! It is a wonderful time for campers to share everything they love
about camp with their families.

In order to keep the closing events running smoothly, we ask that you
absolutely do not cross the soccer field to see your child until the
flag ceremony is over and hear our director give the announcement
Campers, you may now greet your families! It is a special moment
worth waiting for!
You will receive a closing packet including camper awards and your
Campers Photos at check out. Youll want to be sure to check out the
Camp Store in the Longhorn Room. You can spend the balance of your
campers Oasis Account, but just in case, bring extra money to stock
up on our fun and new CBS Gear!

Terms

Length

Term
Term
Term
Term
Term
Term

2 Weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
3 weeks
2 weeks
1 Week

1
1A
2
3
4
4A

Opening Day
June 8
June 15
June 22
July 6
July 27
Aug 3

Closing Day
June 21
June 21
July5
July 26
Aug 9
Aug 9

For those campers enrolled in 2 consecutive terms, a $150 fee will be

charged for the Mystery Trip.
NOTE: Be aware of the Closing Day pick-up time and be prompt!!!
No family has ever intended to miss the Closing Day, but it has happened. It is tough for a child to watch other campers with their families and then realize that his/her family is not there. For this reason, it is important that you ARRIVE BY 10:00 AM ON THE LAST
SATURDAY OF THE TERM. We do not provide buses for the
return trip home as we have found that children prefer to have a
parent present for the Closing Day ceremonies.

24

Map to Camp
APPROXIMATE DISTANCES FROM:
San Antonio 95 Miles
Houston 201 Miles
Austin 40 Miles
Dallas 230 Miles
Ft. Worth 220 Miles
Midland 285 Miles

(830)-693-CAMP (2267)
104 Balcones Springs Dr.
Marble Falls, TX 78654

25

Accommodations
If you would like to spend a night or two in the Hill Country area
before or after camp, here are a few places to stay. If you have any
recommendations (or places to avoid) after visiting this summer, let
us know!

HOTELS
Downtown Austin (70 minutes)
Four Seasons Hotel
Driskill Hotel
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
604 Brazos
(512) 478-4500
(800) 252-9367
Horseshoe Bay (30 minutes)
Horseshoe Bay Resort
RR 2147; Horseshoe Bay
(830) 598 9210

Mariott Horseshoe Bay

200 Hi Circle North
(830) 598-8600

Marble Falls (15 minute drive to Camp)

Holiday Inn Express
Ramada Inn
714 Corazon Drive
1206 N. Hwy 281
(800) 315-2621
(830)693-7531
Hampton Inn
704 1st St.
(830)798-1895

Best Western
1403 N. Hwy 281 N
(830)693-5122

La Quinta
501 W FM 2147 West
(830)798-2020
LBJ Yacht Club
200 S. Wirtz Dam Rd
Horseshoe Bay, TX
Lakelbjmarina.com

BED & BREAKFASTS

Bella Vista
20 miles to Camp
Marble Falls, TX
(281) 376-2901

Airy Mount Historic Inn

25 miles to Camp
Burnet, TX
(512) 756-4149
www.airymount.com

Circle J Lakehouse
6201 Circle J Lane
Marble Falls, TX
13 miles to camp
512-267-2688
www.vrbo.com/66213

AIRSTRIPS
Burnet Municipal (512) 756-6655
Horseshoe Bay (512) 598-6386
Austin Bergstrom International Airport (512) 530-2242

26

FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a major and a minor activity?

At the beginning of every term each camper will receive a class activity schedule. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday are boys major
days, while every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are girls major
days. A major activity is a specialized activity that is picked by the
campers. If it is not your childs major day then it is considered a
minor day. Minor activities are assigned at random and give the
campers a chance to experience a variety of activities. All campers
third grade and younger will travel to all activities as a cabin group.
What is the difference between Beginner and Advanced Activities?
Beginner activities are for campers who express an interest, but do
not necessarily have a lot of experience in that area. Advanced activities are for those who both have interest and more experience. Only
certain activity options require this specification.
Can I bring my dog to drop off/pick up my child?
We know that your pet plays a large part of your family, however we
would hate for him/her to become a distraction during your childs
closing day ceremony. This is why we ask that you please leave all pets
at home.

27

CAMP BALCONES SPRINGS

Info You Will Want To Keep Handy!
104 Balcones Springs Dr.
Marble Falls, TX 78654
830-693-CAMP (2267)
Fax: 830-693-6174
www.campiscool.com

Campers Name: __________________

Team Name: ____________________
Cabin Name: ____________________
Counselors Names:
Names of Cabin Mates:
CampMinder
Username:
Password:
You will not be able to fill out some of the above information
until after your child has begun his/her term at camp. Please
fell free to contact the camp office to obtain this information.

Follow us on:
www.facebook.com/campbalconessprings
http://twitter.com/BalconesSprings

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Return Service Requested

MARBLE FALLS, TX
PERMIT NO. 67

PAID

PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE