The ten-lane aquatics center, featuring a fitness center and locker rooms, was the first phase of this multi-phased project. In partnership with Hays CISD, the YMCA’s Camp Moody branch offers a range of family programming and swim lessons while providing a dedicated home for the district’s student swimming program.
YMCA Camp Moody
YMCA Camp Moody, an 85-acre overnight and day camp along Onion Creek at the edge of Austin and Buda, offers an accessible, immersive experience within the Edwards Plateau’s distinctive landscape.
With limestone bluffs, rolling hills, spring-fed pools, and native trees like live oaks and Mexican buckeyes, the camp is thoughtfully divided into zones that align with each area’s natural character to support specific activities. This zoned layout, connected by a looping trail system, guides visitors through diverse camp experiences, all leading back to the lodge at the camp’s center. Planned amenities include a central lodge, dining hall, treehouse cabins, a ropes course, art pavilions, and an aquatics center—the first phase completed in this multi-stage project. Located close to Austin, Camp Moody is a convenient nature escape for city families seeking an enriching outdoor adventure.
Three miles of trails are linked to one another by a system with multiple loops returning back to the center of the camp. Campers have their pick of a wide range of activities, from archery to canoeing, outdoor education, art and field games, with accessibility for all ensured. Designed specifically for both day and overnight campers, amenities in the master plan include a lodge for meetings and gatherings, a dining hall, tree house cabins, a ropes course a water tower for repelling and zip lining, art pavilions and natatorium.
The metal panel volumes ground the natatorium in the design language of Camp Moody. The translucent roof assembly allows for complete daylighting of the interior space while mitigating heat gain.
Large pre-engineered metal building structure allows for a large, column-free space to provide a climate controlled swimming facility allowing for use year-round.