The Future of Camp La Junta: Preserving a Texas Institution
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
Camp La Junta has been a cornerstone of the Texas Hill Country for nearly a century. Nestled along the banks of the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, this beloved summer camp has shaped thousands of young lives—including my own. As I look toward what comes next for this treasured institution, I’m filled with hope, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility to ensure its legacy continues.
A Brief History: Why Camp La Junta Matters
Before discussing the future, it’s worth remembering why Camp La Junta has mattered so much to generations of Texas families.
Founded in the 1940s, Camp La Junta was created as a place where young people could experience the magic of the Texas Hill Country—swimming in the Guadalupe River, hiking through limestone hills, learning leadership skills, and forming friendships that last a lifetime.
The camp’s philosophy, developed by legendary director Tommy Redhorse, emphasized:
- Character development — Building integrity, responsibility, and moral compass
- Outdoor skills — Teaching respect for nature and practical abilities
- Community living — Learning to work together and support one another
- Personal growth — Challenging campers to step outside their comfort zones
These principles, which I wrote about in my post on Tommy Redhorse’s Journalism Principles, remain the foundation of Camp La Junta today.
Challenges Facing Traditional Summer Camps
Like many traditional summer camps, Camp La Junta faces significant challenges in the 21st century:
Competition for Young People’s Attention
Today’s children have more entertainment options than ever before. Video games, streaming services, and social media compete fiercely for their attention. The idea of spending weeks without screens feels radical to many modern families.
Changing Family Schedules
With both parents often working full-time, summer schedules have become more fragmented. Some families prefer shorter camp sessions or travel during traditional camp weeks.
Economic Pressures
The cost of operating a quality camp—maintaining facilities, paying qualified staff, insurance, and safety compliance—continues to rise. These costs are passed on to families, making camp participation challenging for some.
Generational Shifts
Each generation approaches childhood differently. Today’s parents have different expectations around safety, communication, and structured activities than previous generations.
The Future of Camp La Junta: My Vision
Despite these challenges, I believe Camp La Junta’s future is bright. Here’s what I see ahead for this beloved institution:
Embracing Technology Responsibly
The camp doesn’t need to reject technology—it needs to use it thoughtfully. I’m envisioning a future where Camp La Junta incorporates:
- Digital photography workshops — Teaching visual storytelling
- Environmental monitoring tools — Using technology to study the Guadalupe River ecosystem
- Online communities — Connecting alumni and extending camp community year-round
- Communication options — Allowing reasonable family contact during camp sessions
The key is using technology to enhance the core camp experience, not replace it. Camp will always be about real human connection, outdoor adventure, and personal growth.
Expanding Access Through Scholarships
One of my deepest commitments to Camp La Junta’s future is expanding scholarship access. Through the Tommy Redhorse Scholarship Fund, we can ensure that financial limitations don’t prevent promising young people from experiencing camp.
The scholarship fund I established supports:
- Full camperships — Complete coverage for qualifying families
- Leadership development — Funding for campers who show exceptional potential
- Journalism program expansion — Supporting the next generation of storytellers
Future plans include:
- Endowment growth — Building a permanent scholarship fund
- Corporate partnerships — Engaging Texas businesses in supporting camp access
- Alumni giving programs — Mobilizing former campers to give back
Strengthening the Core Experience
At its heart, Camp La Junta’s future depends on maintaining what made it special in the first place. The essentials that must remain:
Outstanding counselors — The heart of any camp is its people. Investing in recruiting, training, and retaining exceptional counselors ensures the quality of the camp experience. Tommy Redhorse understood this, and his legacy lives on in every counselor who guides campers today.
Connection to nature — The Guadalupe River, the limestone hills, the star-filled Texas skies—these natural wonders are irreplaceable. Protecting these outdoor spaces ensures future generations can experience the same wonder I felt as a child.
Character-building activities — Camp should challenge young people to grow. Adventure activities, team challenges, and meaningful conversations build the character foundations that serve campers throughout their lives.
Safe, supportive community — Camp should be a place where every child feels welcome, valued, and safe. This commitment to inclusive community must never waver.
Growing the Journalism Program
As an investigative journalist, I’m particularly passionate about expanding the journalism program at Camp La Junta. My experiences at camp shaped my career path, and I want to give today’s campers similar opportunities.
Future plans for the journalism program include:
- Writing workshops — Led by published authors and journalists
- Digital media training — Teaching video production, podcasting, and online storytelling
- Press camp sessions — Dedicated weeks focused on journalism skills
- College preparation — Guidance for campers interested in journalism careers
The Tommy Redhorse Journalism Scholarship supports campers pursuing these interests beyond camp, providing funding for journalism education and internships.
Preserving What Matters Most
As Camp La Junta evolves, certain things must remain constant:
The Setting
The camp’s location along the Guadalupe River is fundamental to its identity. Protecting this land and the surrounding environment ensures the authentic camp experience continues.
The Values
The principles Tommy Redhorse established—integrity, community, personal growth, and respect for nature—must guide every decision about the camp’s future.
The Community
Camp La Junta is more than a place—it’s a community of alumni, current campers, families, and staff who share a common bond. Nurturing this community ensures the camp’s spirit lives on across generations.
What Alumni Can Do
If you’re a former Camp La Junta camper (and I know many of you are reading this), here’s how you can help secure the camp’s future:
- Stay connected — Join alumni events, maintain relationships with fellow campers
- Give back — Support scholarships, volunteer your time, or donate to camp improvements
- Share your story — Talk about your camp experience with young families
- Mentor — Offer guidance to current campers or junior counselors
- Advocate — Help spread the word about Camp La Junta’s value
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
I’m optimistic about Camp La Junta’s future. The challenges are real, but the institution’s core strengths—its setting, its values, its people—position it well for whatever comes next.
As I think about my own journey from camper to journalist to scholarship supporter, I’m reminded of what Camp La Junta gave me: a foundation of integrity, a love of the outdoors, and community connections that still sustain me today.
The next generation of campers deserves the same opportunities. By honoring the past while embracing the future, we can ensure that Camp La Junta continues to shape young lives for generations to come.
Matthew Bovee is an award-winning investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska. A proud Camp La Junta alumnus, he established the Tommy Redhorse Scholarship Fund to support young people attending Camp La Junta and pursuing journalism careers.