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Daily Life

Boys in orange and white camp uniforms building a pyramid by kneeling on each other's backs.

Daily Life

A camper's experience at Camp Stewart is made up of so many things. Perhaps one of the most important is the friendships he makes. Or perhaps it's the confidence he gains by mastering new skills. But it's also the simple things, like his cabin, his activities and the memories he makes. And parents can be comfortable knowing that Camp Stewart meets the high standards of a recognized national accreditation body.

Boys in orange and white camp uniforms standing on a hillside in front of their cabin.

Accommodations

At Camp Stewart, campers are placed into cabins based on their age. Campers reside in cabins with a five-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio, a bathroom, and a cubby for each camper.  As campers get older, they are placed into cabins based upon their specialty. 

We have five age divisions: Ravens: 6-8 years old; Hawks: 9-10 years old; Falcons: 11 year olds; Eagles: 12 year olds; and Condors: 13-16 years old.

Advancement Programs

STANDARD PROGRAM

Camp Stewart campers focus on individual skills and character while here at camp. We call this the Advancement Trail. The levels of the Advancement Trail are Scout, Hunter, Hunter Warrior, Brave, Brave Warrior and Chief.

CONDOR SPECIALTY PROGRAM

Camp Stewart has a very special program created especially for older campers. 

Boys in the Condor Division (ages 13-16) specialize in one of the following four areas:

 

  • Campmaster - traditional camp program 

  • Ranchman/Equestrian - lots of horses, learning about ranch life and hunt seat / jumping / polocrosse, etc. Lots of horseback! Must be able to sit horse and know fundamentals. 

  • Outdoorsman - lots of outdoor camping, rappelling, rock climbing, exploring 

  • Sportsman - sports, conditioning, weight training, getting in shape for school sports 

 

The Condor Program was specially designed for campers who want more intensive knowledge in certain areas. Campers live with others selecting the same specialty rather than in age groups.  

Condor campers participate in regular activities and may be part of all teams, even though they have a specialty. 

First Time Condor campers are encouraged to try the Campmaster Program, which is a broad-based traditional camp program.

Boy preparing to rapell from a cliff with hill country landscape in the background.

"Camp Stewart provides a perfect blend of adventure, outside time and fun. My son’s summer was full of new experiences and lasting friendships. We’re so happy to have a place where our son can be off technology and just be a boy!”

Meals at Stewart

The active lifestyle of campers calls for lots of protein and energy producing carbs, which camp menus reflect. While there is no guarantee every meal will be a favorite, diverse likes and dislikes, allergies and dietary restrictions are taken into consideration in the planning.

We try to make each meal from scratch and not mixes. Every day we have homemade bread and homemade ice cream. Many ingredients are locally sourced in the farm-to-table manner.

Menu items are selected to provide nutritional meals that appeal to campers. When feeding many people, we understand that it’s important to provide choices. We often present different entrees for vegetarians, and many vegetarian choices are available on the salad bar at each meal.

 

Some of the daily options, in addition to our regular menu items, include King Ranch chicken, spaghetti and meat sauce, fajitas, chicken tetrazzini, macaroni and cheese, meat loaf with gravy, chicken pot pie, seafood jambalaya, taco salad, and sweet and sour pork.
 

Healthcare at Camp Stewart

The Infirmary
Our health center, the Infirmary, is staffed by a qualified nurse each term.

 

Our registered nurse lives on site and oversees all health-related matters, from administering routine medications to handling minor injuries. For more serious issues, she ensures campers have access to professional services in Kerrville, just 16 miles away.


Medicine at Camp

Medications are primarily dispensed at breakfast and dinner from the Pill Box which is right next to the Dining Hall. We recommend sending only daily medications. The Infirmary as well as the Pill Box are equipped to handle a variety of health needs.

Homesickness

Homesickness is common, especially for first-time campers. Reassure your camper that while they may miss home, camp is a safe and fun place to experience new things. Experts suggest focusing on the positive aspects of camp rather than reflecting concerns.

 

Homesickness often masks other underlying issues, such as adjusting to new situations or resolving conflicts. Our counselors are trained to identify and address homesickness and report any concerning cases to Head Staff for further support.

If your camper expresses homesickness in letters home, please contact us so we can work together to address any concerns and help your camper make the most of his experience.

 

Boys wearing Camp Stewart uniforms sitting outdoors at a worship service.

Worship

On Sundays, we gather as a camp on the banks of the Guadalupe for all-faith worship. We sing inspirational songs and hear a message from a respected elder. The speaker may be a former camper or counselor or a community member. Sometimes it is even current staff. A camper does a Thought for the Day and another does the scripture passage. 

Our campers come from a wide range of religious backgrounds. We are not affiliated with any particular religion or denomination but practice Christian values.  We want our gentlemen to become better people, and we think that in the short time that they are here, we can reinforce the best values and virtues that they bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that come up frequently among campers and parents, especially among first-timers.

What about the food?

We pride ourselves on our healthy, home-style meals prepared by an international kitchen staff. Fresh fruits and vegetables are served daily, and our tradition of homemade ice cream after lunch is a favorite! DAILY OFFERINGS: Breakfast includes a variety of options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Lunch and dinner feature diverse, nutritious choices, with supplemental salad bars and snacks provided. NO CANDY POLICY: To support a healthy lifestyle, we limit candy and non-nutritious snacks. We ask parents to avoid sending food items to camp. Any food or candy will be taken and donated. Thank you for your cooperation with this!

What’s life like in the cabin?

Cabin life is fun! Campers bunk with other campers in their age groups with about 10-15 boys in each cabin. Campers are also responsible for the Daily Inspection of their cabin. The floor must be swept, beds must be made, and trash taken out daily. The cabins who win Inspection each day are given double scoops of ice cream at lunch. Cabin life teaches skills of working together and compromise. It also gets them ready for dorm life!

How are cabin assignments made?

Assignments are made according to camper’s age, year in school, size, and maturity.

Can I request to bunk with my friends?

If campers have a bunk request, it needs to be submitted in writing and mutually agreed upon. It is our policy to do our best to honor mutual requests but we cannot promise or guarantee any such special cabin arrangements. We must be able to focus on the overall success of each and every camper at all times.

Are the cabins air conditioned?

Our cabins are open air, built specifically for camp life. The Hill Country is much cooler than many parts of Texas and the campers quickly adapt to open air living! Each bunk does have electrical outlets so personal, clip on fans are easy to use if desired.
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