Post Flood Projects Update #1, The River.
We have a lot of projects around the Vista Bubble post flood, and we’re going to do our best to keep you updated. Our first edition is going to be over perhaps out biggest project, the clean up of the river. We’ll focus on one project at a time. We’re so thankful for all of the help that we’ve received in our recovery, and appreciate all of you taking this walk with us.
The July 4th flood left a huge challenge for us here at Vista Camps…gravel deposits that strecth from the area between the Boys’ Waterfront and the beach all the way down to the LWC. The Girls’ Waterfront, usually about six feet deep, was reduced to only a few inches of water, and in some spots there was even gravel above the water. All of this gravel made so much of our river unusable. The Guadalupe River is one of the most treasured part of camp, and we rely so much on it for running out summer activities and programs!
Since just a few days after the flood, we’ve had several companies in here working to remove the gravel from the river. A huge thanks to Bennett Land Services for donating their time and machines to get us started. Over the last month local company J3 Co has been operating the excavator and using several off road dump trucks to remove the gravel from the river. We’re happy to report that much of the area is already back to it’s former glory! Our waterfronts are on track to be ready for the Summer of 2026!
Of course, the work isn’t over. All of that gravel has to go somewhere, and right now almost all of it is piled on the golf course. Some has also been hauled up the hill behind the overnight site, but the sheer volume remains staggering. Our once smooth fairways now look more like a rugged links course dotted with mounds of rocks.
The silver lining is that gravel is useful, and we’ve already had local friends and neighbors take truckloads for their own projects. We’re glad to share, and every bit hauled away gets us closer to restoring our beloved camp grounds.
We’re very encouraged by the progress so far. The largest task, digging the river back out, is for the most part behind us. Though we still have piles to deal with, the Guadalupe is flowing strong, and our waterfronts are one step closer to being ready for when our campers get here!
