The Greater Austin YMCA announced that the Moody Foundation has gifted YMCA Camp Moody, an 85‑acre outdoor adventure preserve along Onion Creek in Buda, a $10 million grant. The funding is earmarked for Phase Two of the camp’s master plan, which includes a nearly 15,000‑square‑foot central dining hall and upgraded electrical, plumbing, water and wastewater systems to support future overnight cabins and leadership facilities.
Why the grant matters for Central Texas families
Since opening in 2020, Camp Moody has welcomed more than 4,000 summer day campers. Shaq Brown, the Greater Austin YMCA’s chief operations officer, explained that the new grant will allow the camp to increase its day‑camp capacity by 150 children – a 75 % jump – giving working parents more high‑quality, affordable childcare options during the summer months.
“Our goal is to provide as many outdoor camp experiences as we can for our kids in the summer, ensuring that the working parent has access to high‑quality, affordable childcare in the Central Texas area,” Brown said.
Phase Two: Building a comprehensive outdoor adventure destination
The Phase Two plan envisions Camp Moody becoming a year‑round outdoor adventure destination. In addition to the new dining hall, the grant will fund utility upgrades that are essential for future overnight cabins, community gathering spaces and leadership‑development facilities. Brown noted that many families are seeking an overnight camp experience that is close to home, allowing children to unplug, try new activities and build confidence.
Phase One already made year‑round programming possible, offering day camps, outdoor education, archery, climbing, team‑building activities and community events. Over the next two months, the camp will move through the planning and Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select vendors for construction.
Community support and future outlook
Brown praised the Moody Foundation’s long‑standing partnership, citing a landmark grant in 2018 that helped launch the camp. “The Moody Foundation has been an incredible partner from the very beginning, and everything they have contributed has helped make YMCA Camp Moody possible,” he said.
Local families have expressed a clear need for more overnight camp options in the greater Central Texas area, and the expansion is expected to meet that demand while reinforcing the camp’s role as a safe, faith‑friendly environment for children to grow.
As construction progresses, Camp Moody will share milestones with the community, keeping parents and supporters informed about the development timeline and the new opportunities the expanded facilities will bring.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
