San Antonio, Tx 78209
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San Antonio, Tx 78209
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Camp Capers History
Camp Capers Beginnings by The Rt. Rev. Everett Jones, IV |
The story below was told by the Rt. Rev. Everett Jones, IV, Fourth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas - The search continued for a diocesan camp and in 1944, Mr. Albert Steves, Jr., who was on the committee and actively interested, found a beautiful area, seventy-five acres on the Guadalupe River with half a mile of river frontage, near Waring, Texas (between Waring and Comfort). This had been the summer home of the Negley family of San Antonio. Several of us went up and visited the area and were quite impressed. The old building was run down, but we could see the possibilities with the beautiful oak trees and river front and the comparatively isolated location. So, we began to move toward getting that property. |
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The first step was getting an option on the land to give us time to raise the money. There is a very dramatic story that is associated with the purchase and securing of that land. This was the last year of World Ward II. Mr. Steves had several sons who were in the military service. One of them, Walter, was a pilot and during this period, when we were looking around for money to go ahead, it was reported that Walter was missing from his base in Italy. He had taken a flight and had not returned. For several days, the family and all of us, his friends, were praying earnestly that this young man would be found and rescued. Suddenly, after about two weeks, we had word that he was back at his base, safe and sound. In the joy of that occasion, Mr. Steves came to me and said, “The camp property is given by the Steves family as a thank offering for Walter’s safe return.” Steves Hall building was named in honor after the Steves family. |
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This photo was taken of the original cabins. There are 8 cabins on the boy's side and cabins are named by odd numbers. (1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15) There are 8 cabins on the girl's side and cabins are named by even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16). The cabins were rebuilt in 1990. |
| The orignial Bell tower was open and had an area where you could sit underneath. |  |
| Before there was the Camp Capers Pool, there was the Guadalupe River. Many campers looked forward to cooling off in the river during the heat of the day. |  |
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The first man-made pool was located where the current circle drive is today. One of the highlights of the pool was its diving board in the deep end. |
| The first dining hall was a rounded Quonset Hut. The Quonset Hut was a lightweight galvanized iron building that was widely used during WWII. This picture was taken in 1947. |  |
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The St. Francis chapel has remained the same from the beginning. Though the faces change, individuals of all ages have worshiped in this chapel for over 60 years. This photo was taken in 1953. |
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