If you’ve spent any time in the Hill Country, you’ve probably seen the stickers. Those small, white ovals with the distinctive orange longhorn silhouette plastered on the back windows of Suburbans and Tahoes. It’s a tribe. Honestly, for families who have been in Texas for generations, Camp Longhorn Indian Springs isn't just a place to drop the kids off for two weeks while the parents drink margaritas in Cabo. It’s a legacy. It is a rite of passage that is harder to get into than some Ivy League universities, and once you’re in, you’re in for life.
But what is it about this specific branch—Indian Springs—that keeps people talking?
Located on the shores of Lake Buchanan, just a bit further down the road from the original Inks Lake site, Indian Springs represents the expansion of a dream started by Tex and Pat Robertson back in 1939. It opened its gates in 1975. Since then, it has carved out its own rugged, dusty, high-energy identity. It’s a bit different than Inks. It feels a little more expansive, maybe a little more "wild" in that specific way Texas cedar breaks and limestone hills feel when the sun is beating down at 102 degrees.
The Brutal Reality of the Waiting List
Let's get the elephant out of the room. You can't just decide in May that your kid is going to Camp Longhorn Indian Springs in June. It doesn't work like that. Most parents start the application process while their children are still in diapers. Some jokes suggest putting them on the list the moment the sonogram comes back.
It’s not an exaggeration.
The "Attending" list and the "Waiting" list are the two most scrutinized documents in certain zip codes of Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Why? Because Longhorn has a return rate that is almost unheard of in the camping industry. Once a kid starts, they usually come back every single summer until they are eligible to be a counselor. This creates a bottleneck. If you want a spot at Indian Springs, you're essentially waiting for someone to decide they don't want to come back—which happens about as often as a cold day in August.
There’s a nuance here, too. Legacy matters, but it’s not a golden ticket. Having an alumni parent helps, but the sheer volume of "Legacy" kids means the competition is still fierce. It’s basically a math problem. If you have 500 spots and 490 kids return, you've only got 10 openings for a waitlist of hundreds.
What Actually Happens at Indian Springs?
Forget "glamping." While the facilities are well-maintained and the "Chow Hall" serves up food that kids actually eat, the vibe is decidedly old-school. It’s about being outside. It’s about the heat.
Activities are the heartbeat of the day. You’ve got the classics like archery, riflery, and tennis, but the water is the real draw. Lake Buchanan provides the backdrop for sailing, canoeing, and the "Blob." If you haven't seen a 12-year-old launched thirty feet into the air off a giant inflatable cushion, have you even lived?
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One of the things that sets Indian Springs apart is the sheer scale of the waterfront. Because Buchanan is a larger lake than Inks, the feeling of "bigness" is everywhere. The campers are divided into divisions based on their age and grade, and they compete for "Merit" points.
Merits are the currency of Camp Longhorn Indian Springs.
You get merits for being helpful. You get them for winning a race. You might even get them for just being a "Great Girl" or "Great Boy." You can spend these at the Merit Store (the "Merit Shop") on things like gear, treats, or that specific Camp Longhorn swag that proves you were there. It’s a simple incentive system, but it works. It teaches kids that effort leads to reward.
The "Attaway" Spirit and the Philosophy of Tex Robertson
You can’t talk about Indian Springs without talking about Tex Robertson. Even though he’s passed on, his DNA is in the dirt there. He was an Olympic swimmer and a guy who basically believed that if you keep kids busy and keep them cheering, they won't have time to be homesick.
"Attaway!"
That’s the catchphrase. You’ll hear it shouted across the lake. You’ll see it on the shirts. It’s short for "That's the way!" and it’s the universal Longhorn word for encouragement. It’s loud. It’s infectious.
The philosophy is "Everybody is Somebody" at Camp Longhorn. It sounds like a greeting card, but in practice, it’s about breaking down the social hierarchies that kids deal with during the school year. At Indian Springs, nobody cares what kind of car your parents drive or how many followers you have on TikTok. You’re all wearing the same sweaty t-shirt, you’re all covered in the same layer of lake salt and sunscreen, and you’re all trying to figure out how to win the next spirit yell.
It’s a leveling of the playing field.
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The Daily Grind (The Fun Kind)
A typical day starts early. Taps might be the sound of the night, but Reveille is the wake-up call.
- Breakfast in the Chow Hall (lots of singing).
- Activity periods (blobbing, sailing, crafts).
- Lunch and the mandatory "Rest Hour."
- More activities.
- Nightly events (Carnivals, dances, campfires).
Rest Hour is perhaps the most underrated part of the experience. In a world where kids are constantly overstimulated by screens, being forced to lie on a bunk in a screened-in cabin for an hour—even if you aren't sleeping—is a radical act. They write letters home. They read. They whisper to their cabin mates. This is where the real bonds are formed. Not during the high-speed boat rides, but in the quiet gaps between the chaos.
Why Indian Springs over Inks Lake?
This is the classic debate among Longhorn families. It’s like picking a favorite child.
Inks Lake is the "Original." It has the history, the smaller, more intimate feel, and the legendary "Church Mountain."
Indian Springs is often seen as the "Athletic" or "Rugged" sibling. Because it’s on Lake Buchanan, the wind can pick up, making the sailing a bit more challenging. The layout is more spread out. Some people swear that the sunsets at Indian Springs are better because of the way the light hits the wider expanse of water.
Honestly? Most kids end up at one or the other because that’s where their parents went or where their best friend got a spot. The culture is 95% identical. The songs are the same. The "V-Day" (Visiting Day) traditions are the same. But once a kid identifies as an "Indian Springs Camper," they are fiercely loyal to that specific patch of land.
The Counselors: The Secret Sauce
The camp doesn't run on the strength of the directors alone. It runs on the energy of 19-year-olds.
The counselors at Camp Longhorn Indian Springs are almost exclusively former campers. They’ve spent ten years dreaming of wearing the counselor uniform. This creates a "Pay it Forward" culture. They know the traditions. They know the songs. They know exactly how it feels to be an eight-year-old who is a little bit scared of the dark or the lake water.
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They aren't just babysitters; they are rockstars to these kids. When a counselor shouts your name and gives you a high-five, it’s a big deal. This cycle of mentorship is why the camp feels so consistent decade after decade. The faces change, but the "vibe" is locked in.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Critics might say that Camp Longhorn is a bubble. And they’re right. It is.
But for two or three weeks, that bubble is a place where kids can be "unplugged." There are no phones. None. If a kid wants to talk to their parents, they write a letter with a pen and paper. If a parent wants to see their kid, they wait for the grainy photos to be uploaded to the camp website late at night.
In 2026, that kind of disconnection is rare. It’s also healthy.
Kids learn resilience. They learn how to resolve a conflict with a cabin mate without a parent stepping in. They learn that they can survive a Texas summer without air conditioning in their cabins (yes, the cabins at Indian Springs are "open air," meaning they have screens and fans, but no central AC).
That grit is part of the brand.
Navigating the Process: Actionable Steps for Parents
If you are reading this and thinking about sending your child to Indian Springs, you need a game plan. You can't wing this.
- Apply Early: I’m talking years in advance. If your child is 3 or 4, the time is now. Check the official Camp Longhorn website for the specific application portal.
- The "Carnival" Strategy: Every year, Camp Longhorn hosts "Carnivals" in different cities (Austin, Dallas, Houston, etc.). Attend them. Meet the directors. Let them see your face. It shows you’re serious.
- Choose Your Term Wisely: There are different terms (1-week, 2-week, 3-week). The 2-week terms are the most popular and the hardest to get into. If you are desperate to get your foot in the door, being flexible with your term choice can sometimes help.
- Don't Stress the Gear: New parents tend to overpack. The kids will wear the same three pairs of shorts and camp t-shirts the whole time. Focus on good sunscreen and a sturdy trunk.
- The "Interview": For older kids trying to get in, there might be a short interview process. Encourage them to be themselves. Longhorn isn't looking for "perfect" kids; they want "Attaway" kids—enthusiastic, kind, and ready to participate.
Camp Longhorn Indian Springs remains a powerhouse in the world of summer camps because it refuses to change too much. It’s a slice of 1950s Americana dropped into the modern world. It’s hot, it’s loud, and it’s dusty. And for the thousands of kids who head out to Lake Buchanan every summer, it’s exactly where they want to be.
If you’re lucky enough to get that "You're In" letter, don't overthink it. Just buy the trunk, label the socks, and get ready for the "Attaway" spirit to take over your house.
Once your kid gets their first merit, you'll get it. It’s not just a camp; it’s a lifetime membership to a very loud, very happy family. Check the availability dates for the upcoming season immediately, as the "New Camper" window closes faster than you’d think. If the waitlist is long, stay on it. People drop out, plans change, and that call could come when you least expect it. Keep your contact info updated with the camp office—missing that "we have an opening" email is a heartbreak you want to avoid.