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HISTORY

The Rocky River Ranch spirit found its home in 1953,
when the gates first opened to girls, ages 7 through 16, for summer adventures.

The founders, Mrs. Carol "Mama" Knolk and Jane Brown, established the camp on the banks of the crystal clear Blanco River amid the evergreen hills and blue skies in the beautiful Texas hill country. In 1966, Mary "Skeet" Anderson came to the camp as an assistant director, and later, she and Sandra "Sandy" Bateman bought Rocky River Ranch in 1971.

In the 1950s | Artist's rendering of the buildings for Gold Rush Street
1952 | Jane Brown and Carol "Mama" Knolk
1958 | Campers at the entrance gate of Rocky River Ranch.
1958 | Jane Brown with riders.
In the 1950s | Jane Brown and Carol "Mama" Knolk
1959 | Carol "Mama" Knolk and Jane Brown with campers.
Mary "Skeet" Anderson and Sandra "Sandy" Bateman purchased Rocky River Ranch in 1971.
Rocky River Ranch | Summer Camp Programs

Summer Camp Programs

The perfect summer is waiting for your daughter aged 5 to 14 at Rocky River— filled to the brim with new friendships, challenging activities and, most importantly, lots of fun! Check out our day camp and resident camp options.

Rocky River Ranch | Weekend Programs

Weekend Programs

In the hot summer months, we’re an all-girls camp, but the rest of the year, we offer year ‘round fun at our Great Escapes for women and Mother-Daughter weekends!

Rocky River Ranch | Event Rentals

Event Rentals

Rocky River Ranch is the perfect solution for your special event! We host family reunions, church retreats, teacher work days, company picnics, Girl Scout groups, and more with lodging for up to 135 guests.

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My summers at RRR were the most special times of my childhood. I have so many great memories that I'll never forget. Thanks to Rocky River, I found my true calling in life … teaching children! And, I fell in love with Wimberley so much, that I live here now!

‒  Mollie Cessac Booth Years at camp: 1979-1991, 1999-2000

RRR is not just two months of SCREAMING prepubescent girls singing songs in the Grubstake, Free Swim at the river or raids on other cabins, it becomes a way of life that helps guide you through the rest of your life. Not unlike the Marines who are brothers for life, those of us who were campers and counselors are sisters for life and will do anything to help each other, no questions asked!

‒  Lezli Smith Giancarlo Years at camp: 1981-1989

We still can't believe it has been 50 years since my mother, Mama Knolk, started RRR. We are so proud that it is still the same as she built it and still has the same spirit upon which it was founded. Our children and grandchildren have had the wonderful opportunity to attend camp and we all can still sing some of the songs when we get together. May the spirit of Mama Knolk stay with all that have attended RRR.

‒  Polly Knolk Denham

I loved my counselors, I loved the river, and even learned how to sail on Canyon Lake. I still sing all the old camp songs that we sang every day after lunch to my little girl, who's five, every night before bed. I always end with, 'I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills ...' and then Taps.

‒  Shannon McCann Years at camp: 1966-1975

Wow! I just spent ten amazing weeks at Rocky River. It was a great learning experience. My first job also! I had a wonderful time working with the counselors and the kids. I already miss it! I miss singing camp songs too!

‒  Brenda Ly Years at camp: 2004

This was my very first camp I ever went to and let me tell you it was the best! I only wish I had found out about it earlier so I could have spent more than just one year there. Y'all are an amazing camp and I hope you keep running for another 50 years.

‒  Claire Tilton Years at camp: 2002
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