Regional
matters
continued
The Heart O’ the Hills
Girls Camp
Pickleball Still Being Played
in its 43 rd Year in Texas
F
irst introduced to the Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls
in 1977, the sport of pickleball has made a resounding
comeback after a long absence.
In the late 1970s, a camp counselor from Georgia introduced
the game of pickleball to Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls
in Hunt, Texas. It was an immediate hit with the girls, and a
court was constructed for play, known affectionately as the
“Pickleball Court.”
The following summer, a major flood on the Guadalupe River
washed away paddles, balls and a net, leaving the camp with
no idea of how to replace them. The Pickleball Court remained,
but was converted for use as a basketball, dodgeball and
assembly location.
In 2014, pickleball made a comeback and was again offered to
the girls as an elective class. Acceptance was slow for several
years as only three to four girls picked up paddles. But 2019
V
ushered in renewed enthusiasm for the
game, and this summer 72 girls—ranging in ages from 6 to
16—signed up for pickleball classes. “The Heart’s” brother
camp, Camp Stewart for Boys, also offers pickleball, and the
girls look forward to competing against the guys every year
since many of the matches are extremely competitive.
Jane Ragsdale and her husband, Dick Howell, are owner-
operators of The Heart, with Jane serving as director. Dick is
a former national singles champion in pickleball and double
medal winner in the World Senior Games Championships.
Jane’s father, Silas B. Ragsdale, Jr., bought Camp Stewart
in 1966 and the Ragsdale Camping Family has been active in
traditional summer camping ever since.
Pickleball interest continues to grow at this wonderful Texas
property and perhaps, in the foreseeable future, a young
woman will take her skills learned at The Heart and stand atop
a podium receiving a medal at a national tournament.
Fashion
for Your
Passion
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