University Camp
Sam Houston State University
Welcome to Camp Many years ago, Sam Houston State University acquired 345 acres of land from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, just 15 minutes north of Huntsville. The Department of Recreational Sports has developed the property into a top shelf outdoor use facility. Located on the Trinity River, it is a place where groups can escape the confines of campus, venture into nature, build relationships, encourage team building, and develop as leaders. Amenities for camp include a swimming pool, meeting lodge, dining hall, bunkhouses, visitor cabins, and more.
Groups from the university and elsewhere have utilized camp facilities for development programs and student orientations, leadership workshops, social gatherings, and Alumni events. We welcome you to browse this guide and take a look at one of the best camp facilities in Texas, or better yet, schedule a time to visit. Appointments may be made with our camp staff at ucamp @ shsu.edu.
Bearkat Lodge T hi s 4,0 0 0 -sq u a re -fo ot, mu l ti pu r p o se bu i l d i n g i s th e c row n of o u r Uni ve r s i t y Ca m p fac ili ti e s. Ac c o m m o d ati n g ove r 20 0 p e o p l e, B e a r k at Lo d g e h osts a va r i et y of th e Uni ve r s i t y’s s p e c i a l eve nts. Fe atu r i n g a c ove re d p o rc h ove r l o o k i n g th e wate r, th e Lo d g e i s a d ef i ni ti ve sy m b o l of B e a r k at Pr i d e.
Residential BunkHouses Emul ati n g th e d o g r u n-st y l e c a b i ns G e n e ra l S a m H o u sto n o n c e o c cu p i e d, e ac h s i d e of th e s e re s i d e nti a l buil di n g s h o u s e s 26 i n di v i d u a l s a s we ll a s p rov i d e s a n o p e n-a ir l o u n g e a n d m e eti n g s pac e.
Dining Hall Located just adjacent to the Bearkat Lodge, the dining hall has a full-ser vice kitchen and seating for up to 200 guests. One of the original buildings in the main camp, it has an outdoor deck that overlooks the lake. This is the primar y location for all food ser vice preparation and is one of camp’s most versatile buildings.
Raven Room This 2000-square-foot building accommodates conferences, small group workshops, student groups and corporate meetings. Located in the main camp area, the Raven Room provides integral programming space for rental groups, as well as University functions.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Cabin Circle
11 Bearkat Lodge
Visitor’s Cabin
12 Dining Hall
Outdoor Pavilion
14 Host Cabin
Raven Room Bathhouses
Pool and Pool House Maintenance Shop Recreation Field
Sand Volleyball Court
10 Caretaker Cabin
13 Fishing Pier 15 Boat Livery
16 Challenge Course 17 Parking
18 Ampitheatre
19 Boat Launch
University Camp
Swimming Pool T h e sw im mi n g p o o l fe atu re s e i g ht l a p l a n e s, a bath h o u s e a n d a l a rg e d e c k w i th a di sti n c ti ve p e rg o l a. Wate r s p o r ts su c h a s vo ll ey ba ll, ba s ketba ll a n d wate r p o l o a re a l so ava il a b l e.
Ampitheater This outdoor seating area is a per fect venue for group meetings and events where nature takes center stage. Overlooking the lake, it is a fantastic venue to kick of f any retreat or special event.
Visitor’s Cabin Situated close to the bunkhouses, this smaller cabin provides overnight accommodation for visitors and VIPs.
Challenge Course Fe atu r i n g a th re e -towe r, hi g h- e l e m e nts c o u r s e, c o m p l ete w i th a u ni q u e zi p li n e, su p e r sw i n g, a n d a c a rg o n et, th e c h a ll e n g e c o u r s e i s o n e of th e m a i n at trac ti o ns of th e Uni ve r s i t y Ca m p. Pe r fe c t fo r l e ad e r s hip a n d te a m bu il di n g, pa r ti c i pa nts c a n c h o os e to c h a ll e n g e th e hi g h- e l e m e nts o r wo r k c l os e r to th e g ro u n d w i th o u r l ow 12- e l e m e nt ro p e s c o u r s e.
Covered Pavilion O nl y s h o r t wa lk f ro m B e a r k at Lo d g e a n d th e D i ni n g H a ll, thi s l a rg e m e eti n g a re a i s we ll u tilize d i n th e su m m e r. D a n c e s, s p o r ti n g eve nts a n d oth e r ac ti v i ti e s a re c o m m o n i n th e pav ili o n.
F i s h i n g/B o a t i n g D o c k Lo c ate d o n L a ke L i v i n g sto n—k n ow n fo r i ts s p r i n g w hi te ba s s r u n, c at f i s h, b re a m a n d l a rg e m o u th ba s s—th e Uni ve r s i t y Ca m p d o c k p rov i d e s exc e ll e nt f i s hi n g a n d b oati n g.
Recreation field Tradi ti o n i s ke pt a li ve w i th i ts to pso il tr u c ke d i n f ro m Pr i tc h et t F i e l d, o n e of th e o r i g i n a l h o m e s of B e a r k at Athl eti c s. T hi s 52,0 0 0 -sq u a re -fo ot g ra s s p l ay f i e l d i s th e i d e a l p l ac e fo r h osti n g l a rg e o u td o o r f u n c ti o ns a n d s p o r ti n g ac ti v i ti e s.
Request more information To find out more, schedule a site visit, or request a reservation, please visit our website at shsu.edu/Ucamp. You can also contact us via email at Ucamp@shsu.edu or by phone at (936) 294-CAMP (2267)
SHSU Department of Recreational Sports 801 Bowers Blvd. #162
Huntsville, Texas 77340
936.294.1985 | recsports.shsu.edu