Preparing For Camp

At Camp Eagle

We want your camper (and you) to enjoy Camp Eagle. So, here's our advice on how to prep your camper for adventure at camp!

Start Talking Now

If your camper has never been away overnight, try a weekend at a friend's house. This will also give you time to talk through any concerns or anxiety you or your camper may have about camp.

Get active!

If your camper is unaccustomed to lots of physical activity, prepare for camp adventures by slowly increasing their activities in the weeks leading up to camp.

For Wilderness Camp or Gap Year

Be Ready to Rough It

When you're on the trail, there's no shampoo or deodorant, no mirrors or plumbing. There's sleeping in the mountain air and doing every part of life outside. Part of the necessary mental preparation is knowing what to expect.

Backpacking Prep

Pack weight, depending on the type of trip and length of stay, can be 30-50lbs, or up to about a third of your body weight. We provide most of the backpacking gear, so we can provide the optimum comfort for your trek. Making the pack fit your frame and distributing weight properly is a challenging activity. You will hike multiple miles and gain up to 4,000’ in elevation during a day’s hike. And you'll be carrying your home on your back. You don't have to be in the best shape of your life to backpack, but we do recommend weighted walks, smaller hikes, and staying active before you come.

**Be sure to inform your Wilderness Camp guide or Gap Year Director of any health concerns, including medical conditions and food allergies/intolerances before arrival.

Climate & Conditions At Camp Eagle

Competitor magazine declared Camp Eagle “Texas’ best adventure destination.” Temperatures can range from the 40’s overnight (depending upon the time of year and elevation of activity) to the 100’s mid-day. Our property has hiking trails, limestone bluffs, and a river. Be prepared for rain, heat, cold, and changing terrain. Expect to spend days enjoying the outdoors and nights in your cabin or lodge room.

For Wilderness Camp or Gap Year

Camp Eagle spans 1,400 acres of rugged Hill Country, speckled with natural caves, a quarter-mile of 150′ limestone cliffs, and 1.5 miles of the crystal clear Nueces River. That’s more natural resources jammed into one space than most camps across the nation can claim.

The temperature range of 40-110°F means any wilderness experience requires planning. Because of potential overnight lows, we recommend a warmer sleeping bag (25-30 degrees is optimal) that still compresses.

Rainstorms are normal all summer, so a rain jacket is required, and rain pants and broken-in waterproof footwear are preferable. Non-cotton socks are a must to keep your feet dry.

We hike in rocky terrain, so high-top waterproof boots are preferred for ankle support. Only bring boots/trail shoes that are broken in. Broken-in means you have walked a minimum of 25 miles in them. So, get walking! Many students also wear old athletic shoes during the summer. New shoes or borrowed hiking boots will leave your feet hurting.