This past weekend at the Retreat at Balcones Springs, we welcomed the Moore and Stephenson families for the wedding of Katie Moore and Robert Stephenson!
Robert and Katie hosted a wedding weekend full of Texas Tech--their shared alma mater--spirit for their guests, taking full advantage of all the recreational opportunities Balcones Springs has to offer. Friday night after a small and intimate rehearsal dinner (featuring an emotional toast from the groom's brother), the wedding party had a beer and bonfire event at our fire circle, relaxing and enjoying each other's company in the great weather. Saturday, the wedding party and all other arriving guests spent the day kayaking, paddle-boarding, and blobbing in Lake Ted. Afternoon thunderstorms gave us all a scare for the evening wedding, but the skies cleared just in time for the bride and groom to take photos with camp's infamous "Cool" Bus. The couple held their ceremony in our Pavilion before enjoying a night of food, drink, and dancing in the Rio Grande dining hall.
Guest enjoyed petit-fours, cookies, lemon squares, and other sweet delights during cocktail hour before welcoming the newlyweds as they entered the reception to the tune of the Texas Tech fight song. Food, merriment, and dancing took control for the rest of the night. The next morning, guests relaxed to a hearty brunch before bidding adieu to the new couple.
We loved having such a fun, spirited group here this weekend for a beautiful wedding! It is always such a joy to share the camp and recreational facilities of Balcones Springs with our wedding and retreat groups. Thank you, Katie and Robert, for hosting such a picturesque and intimate wedding! We wish you the best in your lives together.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Girl Scout Brownie Retreat
Last weekend at the Retreat at Balcones Springs, we welcomed several Girl Scout troops from the Austin area to the property! Brownies (and even some Daisies) enjoyed a weekend full of fun outdoor activities at our scenic hill country location.
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 the Camp Balcones Springs 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 our Charlotte's Web trampoline and made friendship bracelets. Our guests enjoyed Balcones Springs' famous "beach burgers" at lunch before returning home from their Brownie excursion.
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.
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 the Camp Balcones Springs 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 our Charlotte's Web trampoline and made friendship bracelets. Our guests enjoyed Balcones Springs' famous "beach burgers" at lunch before returning home from their Brownie excursion.
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.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Wakonse South Conference on College Teaching
This past weekend at the Retreat at Camp Balcones Springs, we hosted the 16th Annual Wakonse South Conference on College Teaching.
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University, the conference gathered educators at our retreat center for participatory meetings, classes, and presentations.
Through its annual conference and other classes and workshops throughout the year, the Center for Teaching Excellence seeks to improve the skill and quality of college-level faculty. We here at the Retreat at Camp Balcones Springs were happy to serve as the setting for such an important goal!
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University, the conference gathered educators at our retreat center for participatory meetings, classes, and presentations.
Through its annual conference and other classes and workshops throughout the year, the Center for Teaching Excellence seeks to improve the skill and quality of college-level faculty. We here at the Retreat at Camp Balcones Springs were happy to serve as the setting for such an important goal!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Easter Fest!
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
Henderson/Bosley Wedding
This past weekend at the Retreat at Balcones Springs, we happily hosted the Henderson and Bosley families for the wedding of Doctors Jeff Henderson and Michelle Bosley!
Jeff, a former event manager for the Retreat at Balcones Springs, and Michelle hosted a very "camp-like" wedding weekend for their guests, taking full advantage of all the recreational opportunities Balcones Springs has to offer. Friday night after a lovely rehearsal dinner, the wedding party had a beer and bonfire event at our fire circle, relaxing and enjoying each other's company in the great weather. Saturday, the wedding party and all other arriving guests spent the day playing tennis and basketball, going on hikes and runs, riding our infamous Balcones Springs zip line, canoeing and paddle-boarding, and even playing in Lake Ted and jumping off of our blob! After getting cleaned up, the bride and groom held their ceremony at our Amphitheater before beginning a celebratory evening of food, drink, and dancing.
The wedding guests enjoyed appetizers and cocktails before blowing bubbles to welcome the newlyweds to the Pavilion for a delicious celebratory dinner. After the meal, the real party began, as guests danced the night away, quite literally. The next morning, guests relaxed to a hearty Migas breakfast before bidding adieu to the newly coupled doctors.
We loved having such a fun, relaxing group here this weekend for a beautiful wedding! It is always such a joy to share the camp and recreational facilities of Balcones Springs with our wedding and retreat groups. Thank you, Jeff and Michelle, for hosting such a lovely and enjoyable wedding! We wish you the best in your lives together.
Jeff, a former event manager for the Retreat at Balcones Springs, and Michelle hosted a very "camp-like" wedding weekend for their guests, taking full advantage of all the recreational opportunities Balcones Springs has to offer. Friday night after a lovely rehearsal dinner, the wedding party had a beer and bonfire event at our fire circle, relaxing and enjoying each other's company in the great weather. Saturday, the wedding party and all other arriving guests spent the day playing tennis and basketball, going on hikes and runs, riding our infamous Balcones Springs zip line, canoeing and paddle-boarding, and even playing in Lake Ted and jumping off of our blob! After getting cleaned up, the bride and groom held their ceremony at our Amphitheater before beginning a celebratory evening of food, drink, and dancing.
The wedding guests enjoyed appetizers and cocktails before blowing bubbles to welcome the newlyweds to the Pavilion for a delicious celebratory dinner. After the meal, the real party began, as guests danced the night away, quite literally. The next morning, guests relaxed to a hearty Migas breakfast before bidding adieu to the newly coupled doctors.
We loved having such a fun, relaxing group here this weekend for a beautiful wedding! It is always such a joy to share the camp and recreational facilities of Balcones Springs with our wedding and retreat groups. Thank you, Jeff and Michelle, for hosting such a lovely and enjoyable wedding! We wish you the best in your lives together.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Engine 2 Diet Immersion
This past week and weekend at the Retreat at Balcones Springs, we hosted Engine 2, a plant-based dietary group based out of Austin, Texas. Approximately seventy Whole Foods employees from all over the country entered our gates last Wednesday for the Engine 2 immersion program, spending seven days eating a plant-based, Engine 2-designed diet, exercising, and having their cholesterol and blood pressure tested to measure the effectiveness of the Engine 2 program.
Aside from eating specially-crafted meals designed by Engine 2 and prepared by our retreat's renown chefs, our Engine 2 guests had time to take full advantage of everything our property has to offer, going running, playing tennis, paddle boarding and kayaking on our private lake, and even taking a ride down the zip line!
The Engine 2 diet is a vegan-based diet that also eliminates all plant-based oils (olive oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil, etc.), salt, processed sugars, and refined grains. We hope to have picked up some healthy cooking and eating habits from Engine 2 over this last week that we can apply to future events at our retreat and maybe even to summer camp!
Aside from eating specially-crafted meals designed by Engine 2 and prepared by our retreat's renown chefs, our Engine 2 guests had time to take full advantage of everything our property has to offer, going running, playing tennis, paddle boarding and kayaking on our private lake, and even taking a ride down the zip line!
The Engine 2 diet is a vegan-based diet that also eliminates all plant-based oils (olive oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil, etc.), salt, processed sugars, and refined grains. We hope to have picked up some healthy cooking and eating habits from Engine 2 over this last week that we can apply to future events at our retreat and maybe even to summer camp!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Family Camp!
To help tide us over until the summer, this past weekend at Camp Balcones Springs, we hosted several wonderful families at CBS Family Camp!
Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and dogs alike all arrived Friday evening to a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande. Afterwards, parents could relax with appetizers and drinks, while the children (and maybe some of the dogs) watched a movie in our Live Oak room. The next day was packed with activities, featuring horseback trail rides, the zip line, rock climbing, gaga ball, fishing, archery, riflery, cookie decorating, a scenic hike, and even spray-tanning for the moms!
After the fun-filled day, all of the families gathered in the Rio for dinner, featuring a huge "Monster" chocolate cake made by our Boys Camp Director. After dinner, families played games in the Rio and put their pipes to the test with family karaoke! The next morning, after some more horseback riding and sports playing, we said goodbye to all of these wonderful families. It was so fun to have a small taste of what camp will offer this summer, and we hope to see you then for more of the fun!
Here are some kind words from the families who visited with us this past weekend:
"This is our second spring break at Balcones Springs, and we love it. We love how relaxing the area is and how all families participate in the activities. And dogs can come!"
"We couldn't have have enjoyed ourselves more. The friendly and relaxed staff really lends itself to the overall relaxed atmosphere without feeling overly catered to or structured."
"This is the best place ever! I wish I could live here. It is so fun. This is funner than everything in the world!"
Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and dogs alike all arrived Friday evening to a fiesta dinner in the Rio Grande. Afterwards, parents could relax with appetizers and drinks, while the children (and maybe some of the dogs) watched a movie in our Live Oak room. The next day was packed with activities, featuring horseback trail rides, the zip line, rock climbing, gaga ball, fishing, archery, riflery, cookie decorating, a scenic hike, and even spray-tanning for the moms!
After the fun-filled day, all of the families gathered in the Rio for dinner, featuring a huge "Monster" chocolate cake made by our Boys Camp Director. After dinner, families played games in the Rio and put their pipes to the test with family karaoke! The next morning, after some more horseback riding and sports playing, we said goodbye to all of these wonderful families. It was so fun to have a small taste of what camp will offer this summer, and we hope to see you then for more of the fun!
Here are some kind words from the families who visited with us this past weekend:
"This is our second spring break at Balcones Springs, and we love it. We love how relaxing the area is and how all families participate in the activities. And dogs can come!"
"We couldn't have have enjoyed ourselves more. The friendly and relaxed staff really lends itself to the overall relaxed atmosphere without feeling overly catered to or structured."
"This is the best place ever! I wish I could live here. It is so fun. This is funner than everything in the world!"
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The Universal Community of Metropolitan Churches
One month ago, our retreat center hosted The Universal Community of Metropolitan Churches. The retreat served as a gathering place for the group's "Readiness to Enter Vocational Ministry" program. These guests were simply a joy to have, and we recently received an encouraging letter from one of them complimenting our food staff and their ability to accomodate a gluten allergy:
"Most importantly for me, your Chef and his staff made me fee like the most important person in the world! I have seldom experienced such a perfect blend of professionalism, expertise, and friendliness. You see, I had made them aware of my allergy to gluten, and they went to great lengths to make sure I had very tasty, healthy, and creative things to eat during our entire stay....Please believe me when I say that it meant the world to me. There are very few places where people take the allergy seriously, and when they do, they sometimes make you feel a little foolish for having to ask for gluten-free food. However, that was definitely not the case last week....ALL the food was delicious, as was its presentation! Everything they did was exceptional."
We at the Retreat at Balcones Springs thank The Universal Community of Metropolitan Churches for such kind words, and we are so glad to have been your hosts for a weekend!
"Most importantly for me, your Chef and his staff made me fee like the most important person in the world! I have seldom experienced such a perfect blend of professionalism, expertise, and friendliness. You see, I had made them aware of my allergy to gluten, and they went to great lengths to make sure I had very tasty, healthy, and creative things to eat during our entire stay....Please believe me when I say that it meant the world to me. There are very few places where people take the allergy seriously, and when they do, they sometimes make you feel a little foolish for having to ask for gluten-free food. However, that was definitely not the case last week....ALL the food was delicious, as was its presentation! Everything they did was exceptional."
We at the Retreat at Balcones Springs thank The Universal Community of Metropolitan Churches for such kind words, and we are so glad to have been your hosts for a weekend!
Mother/Son Weekend
Two weekends ago, our retreat center hosted a weekend of fun outdoor adventures and bonding for several of our camper mothers and their sons—and some new friends!
The weekend started off with a hearty dinner, followed by a tie-dying activity, and then a relaxing evening of wine and cheese for the mothers, while the boys enjoyed ice cream and a screening of the movie Holes. The next day, mothers and sons explored all that camp has to offer, going on horseback trail rides throughout the property, climbing the rock wall, going down CBS’ infamous zip line, and canoeing and kayaking in Lake Ted. Some boys even managed to paddleboard without falling into the freezing cold water!
After dinner, everyone enjoyed s’mores and a bonfire before being surprised by camp’s most famous event—Mission Impossible! Mothers and sons were put on teams and given a “mission” to find certain glow sticks hidden all over camp. This process was more easily said than done, however, as they were being pursued in their search by bandits armed with water balloons!
The next morning, we bid adieu to all of our lovely mothers and sons, but hopefully not for long! Camp is just around the corner, and we hope to see all of our guests—and more—back here in no time!
If this sounds fun to you and you missed out, don’t fret! We are hosting a similar weekend retreat for the whole family—CBS Family Camp—March 8-10, 2013!
The weekend started off with a hearty dinner, followed by a tie-dying activity, and then a relaxing evening of wine and cheese for the mothers, while the boys enjoyed ice cream and a screening of the movie Holes. The next day, mothers and sons explored all that camp has to offer, going on horseback trail rides throughout the property, climbing the rock wall, going down CBS’ infamous zip line, and canoeing and kayaking in Lake Ted. Some boys even managed to paddleboard without falling into the freezing cold water!
After dinner, everyone enjoyed s’mores and a bonfire before being surprised by camp’s most famous event—Mission Impossible! Mothers and sons were put on teams and given a “mission” to find certain glow sticks hidden all over camp. This process was more easily said than done, however, as they were being pursued in their search by bandits armed with water balloons!
The next morning, we bid adieu to all of our lovely mothers and sons, but hopefully not for long! Camp is just around the corner, and we hope to see all of our guests—and more—back here in no time!
If this sounds fun to you and you missed out, don’t fret! We are hosting a similar weekend retreat for the whole family—CBS Family Camp—March 8-10, 2013!
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