Kerr County Camp Reopens Under New Management After Floods

URGENT UPDATE: Heart O’ The Hills Camp For Girls in Kerr County is set to reopen at a new location under new management, following devastating floods that struck on July 5, 2023. The camp, which suffered significant losses, announced the transition to new ownership last week, marking a pivotal moment for the community.

The tragic flooding, which claimed over 100 lives and left many missing across Central Texas, resulted in the death of Jane Ragsdale, the camp’s longtime director. In a heartfelt letter to parents, the Ragsdale family revealed that they would be handing over ownership to Elisabeth and John Hay, whose daughter has attended the camp for the past three summers.

Kathy Ragsdale, Jane’s sister, noted that discussions about transferring ownership had been ongoing for years. However, the events surrounding the Fourth of July floods expedited the decision. “The Ragsdale family had been in internal discussion about the need to ‘pass the torch’ at Heart for a few years, but the events of July 4 moved the needle forward,” she stated.

The new camp location, situated along the north fork of the Guadalupe River, is currently under construction and “well above any floodplain.” Following the floods, John Hay approached the Ragsdales with an offer to purchase land for relocation; instead, they agreed to sell the camp to him. The original property was deemed too small, leading Hay to acquire an adjacent parcel to expand the camp’s grounds. The new address for Heart O’ The Hills is 685 FM 1340 in Hunt, Texas.

Elisabeth Hay will assume the role of camp director, while John will oversee operations. Plans are in motion to open the camp in summer 2026, with registration already available for terms starting as early as May 31, 2026, and continuing until August 1, 2026. Parents who registered their campers for next summer under the previous ownership will receive refund checks beginning next week.

Fortunately, Heart O’ The Hills was not in session when floodwaters surged, avoiding the widespread casualties experienced by other camps, such as Camp Mystic. However, Jane Ragsdale and several staff members were present on-site during the disaster, making her death the only loss reported at Heart O’ The Hills.

This reopening represents a significant step forward for the camp community, promising a fresh start while honoring the legacy of Jane Ragsdale. As preparations continue, families are encouraged to register their children early and participate in this new chapter for Heart O’ The Hills Camp For Girls.

Stay tuned for more updates as the camp prepares for its grand reopening and continues to heal from the impact of the floods.