Moody Grant Recipient: YMCA®Camp Moody

YMCA Camp Moody is an 85-acre outdoor adventure preserve operated by the Greater Austin YMCA. Located on Onion Creek in Buda, Texas, just 15 miles south of downtown Austin, it functions as a nature retreat, day camp, and family adventure center designed to connect youth and adults with the outdoors.

1. Please share the mission and history of the Greater Austin YMCA?

In a region evolving as rapidly as Greater Austin, the idea of “keeping” takes on special significance. It implies consistency, dependability, and an ongoing commitment to learn, grow, and innovate. “Keeping Greater Austin Communities Strong” is what the Greater Austin YMCA is all about.

The Greater Austin YMCA is a local nonprofit elevating quality of life by boldly expanding access for children, adults, families, and seniors. For nearly 75 years, the organization has evolved to meet each community’s greatest needs, touching every phase of life and helping nurture healthier people, stronger communities, and a better world.

The Y believes everyone deserves access to quality programs that keep the community strong. Through financial assistance and community-centered programs, the organization helps people learn, grow, and thrive through early learning childcare, fitness and wellness centers, youth programs, future workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling, and more.

Today, the Greater Austin YMCA serves nearly 140,000 people annually across Central Texas through seven community fitness centers, 60 licensed afterschool childcare programs in four school districts, YMCA Camp Moody, and two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ early education locations, helping children, families, adults, and seniors access opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

2. Can you share a brief history of YMCA Camp Moody?

In 1999, the Yonge Foundation generously donated the land for YMCA Camp Moody to the Greater Austin YMCA. Deeply valuing the Y’s mission, the family wished to create a space where children could explore nature while preserving the land’s inherent magic and beauty. This shared vision made the donation the perfect legacy for their cherished family property.

Located in Buda, Texas, YMCA Camp Moody opened in 2020 on more than 85 acres along Onion Creek. Named in recognition of the Moody Foundation’s transformational support, YMCA Camp Moody was created from a shared vision: to provide children and families with greater access to outdoor adventure, outdoor education, and experiences that foster confidence, resilience, and personal growth.

What stands today is more than a camp. It is a lasting investment in future generations. It is a place where children discover what they are capable of, families create lifelong memories, and future generations gain access to experiences that can shape the course of their lives.

Through the Moody Foundation’s generosity, the Yonge Foundation’s vision and the many incredible donors during our initial capital campaign, YMCA Camp Moody has become a year-round resource where children connect with nature, develop leadership skills, build confidence, and create lasting memories alongside family and friends. Since opening, YMCA Camp Moody has welcomed children and families from across Central Texas through summer camp, outdoor education, family events, and community programming designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning.

YMCA Camp Moody has welcomed more than 4,000 summer campers and hosted 2,000 Y family outdoor adventure participants since opening in 2020, while also supporting 100,000 wellness visits through its fitness center. Together, these experiences reflect the Moody Foundation’s vision for a place where children, families, and community members can grow stronger, connect with nature, and build lasting memories.

3. Why are camp and outdoor learning activities important to youth and their families today?

Camp provides something many young people need now more than ever: opportunities to connect, explore, and grow beyond a screen. YMCA Camp Moody is a living classroom where nature sparks wonder and curiosity becomes confidence.

Outdoor experiences help children build confidence, independence, resilience, belonging and lasting bonds while encouraging physical activity and curiosity. At YMCA Camp Moody, youth are encouraged to try new things, overcome challenges, make friends, and discover strengths they may not realize they have.

For families, camp offers a safe and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and create memories that last long after the summer ends. In a world where schedules are increasingly busy and digital distractions are everywhere, these experiences help young people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the natural world.

4. Tell us more about what is offered at Camp Moody. How can families get involved?

YMCA Camp Moody offers year-round experiences for youth, families, schools, and community groups.

Programs include summer camp, school break camps, outdoor education experiences, archery, high ropes and climbing activities, nature exploration, team-building programs, family events, and community gatherings. YMCA Camp Moody also serves schools and organizations through outdoor education and group programming designed to connect participants with nature while developing teamwork, problem-solving skills, and self confidence.

Families can register for camp programs, attend community events, volunteer, or support the YMCA’s mission through philanthropy. Financial assistance is available to help ensure every child has access to the benefits of camp.

5. What is next for Camp Moody and the Greater Austin YMCA?

The future of YMCA Camp Moody is centered on expanding the vision that made it possible.

To fully realize the promise of YMCA Camp Moody, we are working to secure funding to complete Phase II. Expansion of camp is not simply to build structures — but to build long term community capacity.

Phase II will complete the overnight camp experience — adding cabins, a dining hall, gathering spaces, and leadership facilities that allow deeper immersion, expanded scholarship access, and enhancements that support year-round programming and outdoor learning. Through these efforts, YMCA Camp Moody will expand opportunities for more children to experience the confidence, independence, connection, and personal growth that camp can provide.

The goal is simple but ambitious: to ensure that more children, regardless of background or circumstance, have access to transformative camp experiences and meaningful connections with the outdoors.

As YMCA Camp Moody grows, the impact of the Moody Foundation’s investment will continue to grow alongside it, creating opportunities for generations of Central Texas families.

6. Recent accomplishments you want to highlight?

In just a few years, the Moody Foundation’s vision for YMCA Camp Moody has become a place where thousands of children have climbed higher, explored farther, and discovered strengths they didn’t know they had.

Every season, campers arrive nervous to try something new and leave with greater confidence, stronger friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. Those transformations are the clearest measure of the impact the Moody Foundation’s investment continues to make.

7. Upcoming events or key milestones we should mention?

Summer camp remains one of YMCA Camp Moody’s signature experiences, welcoming children from across Central Texas each year for adventure, discovery, and personal growth.

Looking ahead, YMCA Camp Moody will continue advancing its long-term vision through expanded programming, enhanced facilities, and future overnight camp experiences that will allow even more children and families to experience the transformative power of camp. As the camp grows, it will continue building on the Moody Foundation’s vision of creating opportunities that help children discover their potential, families create lasting memories, and communities thrive for generations.