marianist.com/donate • 17 he dawn creeps over the limestone cliffs with the promise of another bright, hot July day in the Texas Hill Country. Slowly, the sun illuminates the tents where 21 girls are submerged in heavy sleep. From the barnyard across the way, chickens begin their fussing and clucking. A donkey hee-haws with increasing insistence, demanding breakfast. From the corral, a dozen horses snuffle, pawing at the dusty ground. It’s 7 a.m., and the girls begin to stir under their mosquito nets, gradually awakening to the realization of where they are and what the day holds. Camp! Horses! Friends! Adventure! Such was the scene last summer when Tecaboca, a Marianist retreat center and summer camp in Mountain Home, Texas, held its first-ever overnight summer camp for girls. Girls camp — a test run Tecaboca is the Marianists’ oldest facility of its kind in the United States, with roots dating back to 1937. The name derives from Texas Catholic Boys Camp — hence, Tecaboca. For decades, it served precisely as its name describes. For the Marianists, it was an outreach ministry for the summer months, when brothers and priests weren’t needed in the classroom. In more recent years, Tecaboca, which is about 80 miles northwest of San Antonio, has become a popular retreat center, serving more than 3,000 visitors annually. With modern, comfortable facilities on 100 remote acres, The Marianists host the first summer camp for girls at Tecaboca. By Carol Dexter RemudaVaquera! WELCOME TO Kay Tally-Foos, executive director of Tecaboca, explains hoof picking and care of horses. Opposite page: Maddy Kovar (on horse) with Ani Artero, delighted by their new equestrian skills T ALL PHOTOS: ROBIN JERSTAD