Great summer day camp

Last summer, Thing 1 was finally old enough to go to a day camp I'd been wanting her to attend since she was born. I knew she'd have a blast, and she did.

I've already signed her up to attend a 1-week session for this summer. We're both so excited, we can hardly wait! The camp is offered by McKinney Roughs Nature Park, which is near Bastrop. Full disclosure - I work for the company that owns and operates this park. But it's so cool, I'd recommend it anyway.

If your children love the outdoors like mine do, then McKinney Roughs Summer Camp is the place for them. There are 8 sessions from June 15th through August 14th (no camp the week of July 4th). It's only $170 for a 1-week session, and there's a shuttle service from 2 Austin locations so you don't have to drive to Bastrop. Campers are divided into 3 age groups where kids can do a wide variety of age-appropriate and hands-on outdoor activities:

• Camp Tonkawa (ages 6-7) - Campers experience hands-on learning with live animal presentations, nature hikes, camp crafts, games, nature studies and more.


• Camp Comanche (ages 8-9) - Campers learn wilderness skills, raft the Colorado River, climb a 45-foot-high rock wall and swim at nearby Bastrop State Park.


• Camp Caddo (ages 10-12) - Campers connect with the natural world through adventurous studies of geology, hydrology, botany and more. Activities include rafting, swimming and team-building challenges on a low- and high-ropes challenge course led by ropes-certified staff.

Thing 1 came home every day filthy and exhausted, but I've never seen her more happy. I can hardly wait until next summer when Thing 2 will finally be old enough to go too!