Post Flood Projects #2, The Golf/Canoe Shed.
Welcome back to our camp updates! After so much support and interest in our gravel removal post, we’re excited to keep sharing the progress happening around Vista Camps in the Texas Hill Country. Each post will highlight a project, big or small, that’s helping us get camp ready for next summer.
One of the first buildings you see coming into camp is our Golf and Canoe Shed. It might look like just a storage spot from the outside, but inside it holds the heart of so many summer camp activities. Of course, it’s home to our camp golf equipment and canoe supplies, but it also houses all of our fishing gear, our frisbee golf baskets, and—most importantly—our War Canoe paddles. From the very first day of class until race day, this shed has always been the meeting point for one of camp’s most beloved traditions.
When the July flood in Texas came through, the shed took a hard hit. Water rushed through the building, knocking out doors on both sides and even tearing a hole through one of the walls. We lost most of our golf clubs and balls, along with a big chunk of our fishing gear. Thankfully, we were able to save most of the paddles—especially the War Canoe paddles. A few drifted away, but in true camp community spirit, neighbors downriver spotted them and returned them to us via the “Found on the Guadalupe River” Facebook page.
On one of our first big work days, we tore down the rest of the damaged shed. The silver lining? We were able to save much of the original Hill Country rock from the outside of the building, which you can see stacked in the photos. That stone will be reused, giving the new shed the same classic look campers know and love.
Thanks to our friends at Stream Realty in Austin, the new structure is already taking shape. They spent a couple of weekends reframing and putting up the exterior plywood. Our full-time maintenance crew then jumped in and completed the roofing, so we’re well on our way. While the footprint of the building will remain the same, we did decide to make the canoe storage area a little larger—giving us more breathing room and making it easier to store gear without things being so tight.
The best part? When all is said and done, the shed will look just like the old one, but stronger, sturdier, and ready to serve Vista Camps campers for the next 100 years.
Check back soon for another update on Texas summer camp improvements as we continue rebuilding and getting ready for camp 2026!
