Daily Life at the Heart

Opening Ceremonies

On the first night of camp new campers will be called forward in a special Heart O’ the Hills ceremony to pick a bead out of a basket to find out what Sisterhood she will be in. If the camper draws a blue bead, she becomes part of the Powerful Thunderbird Sisterhood and if she draws a green bead, she becomes part of the Strong Crossed Arrow Sisterhood. Once the bead is drawn the camper joins her Sisterhood for life.

The Powerful Thunderbird Sisterhood whose colors are blue and white, and its symbols are the moon and thunderbird, and informally, the gator. The Strong Crossed Arrows Sisterhood sports green and white as its colors and is recognized by their symbols, crossed arrows, stars, and informally, frogs. Throughout the term, all that a camper does will count for individual and sisterhood points. The Sisterhood that has amassed the most points throughout the term will be awarded the Sisterhood Cup.

Dress: New campers wear all white; returning campers wear sisterhood uniforms

Officer Elections

Campers may wish to run for a Sisterhood Office, a position that, if elected, will afford great responsibility within the Sisterhood. Campers can serve in several different capacities and may inquire with their Sisterhood Sponsors (counselor leaders of each Sisterhood) about the process for running.

Common Ground

Sisterhoods will gather at Opening Ceremonies where Firelighters will announce the newly appointed officers.

Dress: Campers will wear Sisterhood uniforms

Mountain Top

Mountain Top is one of the most meaningful and sacred traditions shared within each Sisterhood. Each week, campers gather with their fellow sisters for this special time—guided by their Firelighter and Sponsors—to connect, reflect, and grow together. Campers learn about their Sisterhood, share in its traditions and secrets, and explore themes each week that inspire meaningful conversation. Mountaintop is more than a tradition—it is a time of reflection, unity, and transformation that campers carry with them long after they leave the hill.

When the sisterhoods return from Mountain Top, they exchange cheers before the entire camp community comes together for a special ceremony. During this time, the Sister O’ the Week award (for each division) is announced, along with more specific Sisterhood awards. Awards recognize effort, character, contribution, and leadership in addition to skill development.

Dress: Campers wear sisterhood uniforms

Vespers

Vespers is a cherished Heart O’ the Hills tradition held on Sunday evenings—a heartfelt performance offered as a gift of friendship, loyalty, and sisterhood to the entire camp.

Three times each term, the camp gathers for this special event. The first Vespers is presented by the counselors, setting the tone with a meaningful and memorable performance. On the following Sundays, each Sisterhood takes its turn, with campers preparing and performing alongside one another. A great deal of time, creativity, and care goes into each program, making every Vespers unique and deeply personal.

As the evening comes to a close, the entire camp gathers for a peaceful time of quiet singing. The night ends with a friendship circle, where camp comes together for taps—closing the day in reflection, unity, and calm.

Dress: Fun, creative costumes are highly encouraged for those performing vespers

Pizza Night

Every Sunday night is Pizza Night—one of the most anticipated traditions of the week. After Flag, each division breaks off to perform the pizza cheer they’ve been perfecting all week, bringing energy, creativity, and plenty of spirit to the spotlight.

Head Staff carefully ranks each performance, and the results determine the order of the pizza line—giving top performers the exciting reward of being first to grab their slices. It’s a fun, high-energy way to kick off the evening, filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of camp pride.

Worship

Each Sunday morning a non-denominational service is held in the morning, often with a special guest speaker.

Dress: Campers and counselors should be in whites (including their shoes: white tennis shoes, sandals are not permitted). Campers are also highly encouraged to wear their hearts to the worship service.

Division Night

These division-wide activities bring each age group together for fun, connection, and a little friendly competition—all thoughtfully planned and led by the division leaders. From high-energy games like Capture the Mattress and shaving cream fights to creative and relaxed evenings like trivia night and paint night, each activity is designed to build camaraderie, spark joy, and create lasting memories within the group.

Bunk Night

Bunk Nights are bonding nights where the cabin counselors plan fun activities for their group of campers.

Ice Cream

Each division has an evening where they are served ice cream and get to relax on the porch of the lodge.

Dress: Campers can choose to dress up or wear their pajamas

Movie Night

Every Saturday night the Head Staff selects a camp-appropriate movie to be shown on the big screen. Campers put on their pajamas and bring their sleeping bag and pillow for this relaxing evening! Cokes and candy are served as a special treat on this night.

Swim Meets

Once a week, there is a divisional swim meet. Campers come together for an exciting swim meet that brings out both team spirit and friendly competition. Every camper participates, giving her best in the water while representing her Sisterhood with pride.

Place winners earn points for their Sisterhood, adding to the excitement and motivation of each race. Meanwhile, teammates line the sidelines, cheering loudly and encouraging one another every step of the way.

Big Dill Pickleball Extravaganza

Do you like pickles? Do you like extravaganzas? Then get ready for the ultimate combo!

This lively event brings campers together with their Big and Little Sisters for a night of pickleball-inspired fun all while earning points for their sisterhood. The evening features pickleball relays, creative challenges, and a friendly tournament, all designed to spark energy, laughter, and teamwork.

Stewart/Heart Meet Day

Meet Day is a spirited day of friendly competition between Camp Stewart and The Heart. Campers are put into coed teams, split into two groups, and compete in a variety of activities that test teamwork, skill, and creativity.

Campers are assigned to a specific activity and face off against the other team in challenges like pickleball, outdoor cooking, climbing, painting, flickerball, and more. Every activity is a chance to work together to earn points for your team.

This fun-filled event is a highlight of the term—full of energy, teamwork, sportsmanship and friendly rivalry.

Field Day 1 (Full and Split A)

Get ready for Deep in the Heart Field Day

The stars at night are big and bright, and so is the fun—full of friendly competition and Lone Star spirit on this field day. Dress the part with your best cowboy, rodeo, or Texas sports team-inspired look and get ready to shine bright on this Texas-style field day.

Dress: Cowboy, rodeo, or Texas sports team-inspired outfits

Field Day 2 (Full and Split B)

Get ready to Color the Camp Field Day!

We’re turning up the energy with a vibrant, wild, color-filled Field Day you won’t forget! Start the day strong by repping your sisterhood—come dressed head-to-toe in your team colors and get ready for some friendly (and colorful!) competition.

Then… things get messy. For the second half of the day, change into white clothes you don’t mind getting totally ruined and be prepared for an epic color war showdown. As the games go on, you’ll be splashed, sprinkled, and covered in every color imaginable—by the end, you’ll be a walking masterpiece!

Bring your spirit, your energy, and your best color game and let’s make camp the most colorful it’s ever been!

Dress:

• First half: Sisterhood colors (head-to-toe)

• Second half: White clothes that can get messy

Carnival

Step right up, y’all!

Get ready for a Lone Star–sized celebration at our Texas State Fair–themed Carnival! Think Big Tex, football spirit and fairground fun. The smell of corn dogs and your favorite fried food. Soak in the energy of a true Texas tradition for this carnival. Boots optional—but highly encouraged

Big Tex. Big fun. Big Texas vibes.

Dress: Texas State Fair–inspired (boots encouraged )

Overnight

Each term, every age division embarks on a memorable overnight campout—an adventure designed to bring campers closer to nature, each other, and the spirit of camp.

The campout includes a hike to the campsite, counselors showing campers how to build a campfire, and cook supper over the fire. As night falls, campers gather for campfire skits, songs, and s’mores, creating moments of laughter, reflection, and shared tradition. Sleeping under the stars in their sleeping bag, campers may also enjoy evening swimming, surprise adventures, and spontaneous fun that make the night unforgettable.

In the morning, breakfast is served before returning to camp.

Division Leaders will have an overnight packing list for campers

Teen Off-Site Evening

This special evening gives the Teen Division a chance to step away from the everyday camp routine and enjoy a memorable night out together at a local restaurant.

• Dress: Dressy casual attire. Outfits that are modest and appropriate for the setting*

Senior Off-Site Evening

This a special tradition that gives campers in the Senior Division a chance to enjoy an evening beyond camp.

Dress: Dressy casual. Outfits that are modest and appropriate for the setting

Christmas

Christmas at The Heart is celebrated on June 25th and July 25th (whenever those dates fall during the term).

Dress: Campers and counselors often celebrate by wearing festive outfits

Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day at The Heart is celebrated on June 14 and July 14 during the term.

Dress: Campers can join in the fun by wearing festive clothing

As the term comes to an end, camp comes together for a series of meaningful traditions that celebrate growth, friendship, and the time shared on the hill.

Final Mountain Top & Cypress Gathering

Before the end of the term, campers have one final, special Mountaintop with their Sisterhoods—a meaningful moment to celebrate their growth, bonds, and shared experiences.

After Mountain Top, the entire camp quietly walks to the river for Cypress Gathering. Here, in a serene and reflective atmosphere, campers sing softly together, honoring the traditions of the camp. The ceremony continues as the S & P are lit, symbolizing the close of the term and offering a time for peace, reflection, and gratitude.

A special moment for the 16-year-old campers: they are passed candles to release into the water, marking both a rite of passage and a symbolic letting go. This gathering is a cherished tradition, a time to reflect on the term,and celebrate friendships.

Naming O’ the Sisters

Campers and counselors come together for the Naming O’ the Sisters Ceremony, a meaningful tradition celebrating achievement and growth. During the ceremony, campers receive their awards packets, recognizing accomplishments from the term.

To honor campers’ dedication, spirit and effort, camp activity counselors select a Most Outstanding camper, and Award O’ Merit patches to campers in each division. For new campers, this is an especially memorable moment—they receive their Heart, officially welcoming them into the camp community and Sisterhood.

The ceremony is a joyful, proud, and heartwarming celebration of campers’ hard work throughout the term.

Quadrille Performance

The Quadrille is an exciting performance on horseback, showcasing the skills and teamwork campers on the Quadrille team have been practicing all term. Riders follow a carefully choreographed pattern, moving in sync with other riders and the music to create a beautiful and coordinated display.

The culmination of weeks of preparation comes on Closing Day, when campers perform the Quadrille for the entire camp.

Art Show

Campers have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and accomplishments by entering their work in the camp Art Show. This event highlights the talent and effort each camper has put into their projects throughout the term.

Art is displayed in multiple categories, and pieces are judged and ranked, giving campers a chance to earn recognition for their skills. Top placements earn Sisterhood points, adding friendly competition and excitement to the celebration of artistic expression.

The Art Show is a proud moment for campers to share their creativity with friends, counselors, and the entire camp community.

War Canoe Race

War Canoe is one of the most thrilling and beloved Sisterhood traditions at camp! Each Sisterhood fields a team of ten campers, who practice throughout the term—learning the rhythm, and teamwork needed to paddle their 19-foot canoe in perfect coordination.

The excitement builds over the term with a practice race on the second Field Day. At the end of the term, the Powerful War Canoe (PWC) and Strong War Canoe (SWC) take to the water, bringing their skill, determination, and sisterhood spirit to the ultimate showdown.

This high-energy race is a celebration of teamwork, friendly competition, and camp pride, with every stroke counting toward sisterhood points. The excitement, cheering, and camaraderie make it a thrilling highlight of the term—and a cherished tradition that embodies the heart of camp.

Dress: Campers encouraged to wear sisterhood uniforms and their Hearts

Final Awards Ceremony

After the winner of the War Canoe race is announced, the final awards ceremony begins. The Heart presents tenure awards to campers for years attended: Three-term campers, Five-term campers, Seven-term campers and Ten-term campers.

Other awards given at closing include High-point Campers, the Meme Downing Sunflower Award, Star LITe Award, Kitty’s Korner Awards for Counseling Excellence, and the coveted Sisterhood Cup.

Dress: Campers encouraged to wear Sisterhood uniforms and Heart

Memorial Vespers

Held the night before closing day. The Jo Jones Memorial Sportsmanship Award is the highest individual recognition given at Heart. Campers put on their whites and gather for a special ceremony.

This award honors a camper who consistently demonstrates the eight traits:
Courage, Purity, Honesty, Goodness, Unselfishness, Trust, Faith, Truthfulness.

Dress: Campers wear whites

Family Picnic

At the end of the term, campers and parents are reunited for a special celebration of the camp experience. After packing trunks, watching the Quadrille performance, and exploring the Art Show, families come together for an all-camp picnic—a relaxed and festive way to savor the final moments of the day.

This picnic gives campers and parents time to share stories, laughter, and memories from the term before parents depart, with plans to return the next day for pick-up.