The Vista Vault: Alumni Spotlight ep.3
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Welcome to The Vista Vault, third edition, our monthly blog series where we reconnect with former campers and counselors to relive their unforgettable experiences at the best Texas summer camp, Vista Camps. Each month, we’ll open the vault and take a trip down memory lane, highlighting the journeys, stories, and impact Vista Camps has had on those who’ve spent their summers on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Hunt, TX, in the Texas Hill Country. From life-changing friendships to funny camp moments, join us as we explore where they are now and how their time at camp helped shape who they’ve become. Stay tuned for exciting stories from our amazing Vista alumni!
Name: John Richardson
What years did you attend or work at Vista Camps? I was a camper from 1969-1974 and Jack McBride hired me to be a counselor in the last term of 1974. I was a counselor from 1974 to 1982.
What was your favorite camp activity or tradition? There were many that I loved, but my favorite was horseback. My many counselor duties included Arts and Crafts, the Estes rocket program, riflery instructor, but finally ended up as one of the wranglers teaching horseback for most of the years from ~1977-1982.
Who was the camp counselor or mentor that influenced you the most during your time at Vista? Coach Jack Price. As a horseback enthusiast, I had the privilege of learning from Carter and Knippa.
Did you take any life-lessons away from camp? Many, but I’d have to say that self-confidence, values of right or wrong, and faith/prayer were the biggest.
What are you up to now, both personally and professionally? I work in cybersecurity. I’m also enjoying new grandchildren!
Do you still have any connection to campers now?
Not now, but my son Chris followed in my footsteps as a camper and later as a counselor.
What is one thing you learned at camp that you still use today? The biggest would be leadership. During my time at camp I learned about leadership at both the camper level as well as the counselor level.
Do you have a favorite memory from camp that still sticks out today?
Jeff Bates stories (thank you George Stacy), fun games when stuck on camp grounds during floods, Flaming Arrow Ceremonies, being one of the last double chiefs (Sioux & Flaming Arrows), and Wranger overnights!
*Editors note - We aren’t sure who this Jeff Bates guy is anymore 🤫
Any other fun camp facts?
My parents, Shelby and Anna Leslie, were Camp RV representatives for all the years my brother Lee and I were campers. We hosted many Camp RV movie nights in our house to help recruit other campers from the Dallas area. Editor’s note: John’s brother Lee started as a camper in 1966! He recently passed in 2023.
What was your favorite camp song or tribe cheer? Songs at Vespers Ceremonies.
What advice would you give to current Vista Camps campers/counselors? Enjoy your time and get invested in as many activities as possible all session long!
How has your experience at Vista Camps shaped your life or career? Camp and Boy Scouts values are similar and shaped my work ethics and personal values.
If you could go back to camp for a day, what’s the first thing you’d do? Swing into the river on the rope swing, or just sit in the LWC and watch the river flow by!
What do you miss the most about camp? The things I miss the most about my time at camp are the friendships that were made and the friendly competition.
What was your favorite camp meal, or snack time treat that you still think about? Sunday Cinnamon Rolls!
What is the one camp tradition you hope will never change? The friendly competition amongst the Sioux and Golden Arrows.
Do you still keep in touch with any camp friends these days?
Not as much these days, but I was fortunate to know several camp owners over those years including the Stacy’s, McBride’s, and the Hawkins, and visited Mrs. Broun a little bit up the river on regular occasions over the years.
Editor’s note:
This was a super fun one to read through and post. The last note that John shared in his email to me was this, “My favorite blanket is a picture of Vista Camps and stays on my bed year round and my closet is full of RV travel bags, laundry bags, hats, t-shirts, etc… from back in those days (yes, they are more than 50 year old and still in good shape).” We love all the Vista Love!
If you could describe your time at Vista Camps in three words, what would they be? BEST FUN EVER
