where do jenna bush's kids go to camp

The Secret Texas Hill Country Camp: Where Jenna Bush Hager’s Kids Follow A Deep Family Tradition

where do jenna bush's kids go to camp

The question of where Jenna Bush Hager’s children spend their summers is one of the most closely guarded secrets in celebrity parenting, but the location is more than just a camp—it’s a generations-old family legacy rooted deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the *Today* show co-host continues the tradition of sending her two daughters, Margaret "Mila" Laura and Poppy Louise, to the very same private, all-girls sleepaway camp she attended as a child.

While the exact name of the exclusive institution is kept private by the family, the public details released by Jenna Bush Hager herself paint a clear picture of a traditional, rustic, and profoundly meaningful Texas experience. The camp is a rite of passage for the Bush-Hager girls, a place where they disconnect from their New York City life and connect with their Texan heritage, following in the footsteps of not just their mother, but also their grandmother, former First Lady Laura Bush.

Jenna Bush Hager’s Children: A Modern Bush-Hager Family Profile

Jenna Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Chase Hager, are parents to three children. Their summer plans revolve around this cherished Texas tradition, though the experiences vary slightly based on the children’s ages.

  • Margaret "Mila" Laura Hager: Born April 13, 2013, Mila is currently 12 years old. She is the oldest and has been attending the sleepaway camp for several years, navigating the initial challenges of homesickness to become a seasoned camper.
  • Poppy Louise Hager: Born August 13, 2015, Poppy is currently 9 years old. Named after Jenna’s grandfather, George H.W. Bush (whose childhood nickname was Poppy), she now joins her older sister in the summer tradition.
  • Henry "Hal" Harold Hager: Born August 2, 2019, Hal is currently 5 years old. While likely too young for the multi-week sleepaway sessions attended by his sisters, he may attend a shorter, introductory session or a day camp closer to the family’s summer location, keeping him connected to the Texas Hill Country environment.

The decision to keep the specific camp name private is a conscious effort to protect the children's privacy and allow them a normal, unplugged childhood experience away from the media spotlight. This discretion is a hallmark of the Bush family’s approach to raising children in the public eye.

The Undisclosed Camp: A Texas Hill Country Institution

The camp attended by Mila and Poppy is not just any summer program; it is part of a deep-seated cultural phenomenon unique to the Lone Star State. The Texas Hill Country is famous for its private, legacy sleepaway camps, many of which are single-sex institutions that have been operating for generations.

Jenna Bush Hager has confirmed on the *Today* show that her daughters attend the same all-girls camp she attended as a child. This means the camp is likely one of the highly respected, long-standing institutions nestled along the rivers of the Hill Country, such as the Guadalupe River or the Frio River.

Why the Secrecy? The Legacy of Texas Camps

The reason for the privacy extends beyond typical celebrity concerns. Texas summer camps, particularly those in the Hill Country, foster a unique, tight-knit community and a strong sense of tradition. They are often passed down through generations of Texas families, creating a powerful, private network.

The camp is a place where the girls are expected to live a rustic, simple life—free of cell phones and social media—allowing them to develop independence, resilience, and confidence. This "right of passage" is a core value for Jenna and Henry Hager, who want their children to experience the same formative summers she had growing up.

While the exact name remains private, the camp shares a common spirit with other famous Hill Country institutions that emphasize traditional activities, Christian values, and a deep connection to nature. These camps include notable entities like Camp Waldemar for Girls, Camp Honey Creek for Girls, Rocky River Ranch, and Heart O' the Hills Camp (HOH), all of which represent the rich tradition the Hager girls are now a part of.

The Emotional Context: Dropping Off the Kids in a Time of Tragedy

The summer of 2024/2025 provided a deeply emotional and unique context for the Bush-Hager family’s camp drop-off. Jenna Bush Hager tearfully shared her experience on air, revealing the profound connection her family has to the Texas camp community in the wake of the devastating floods that affected the region.

The tragedy specifically involved Camp Mystic, another all-girls Christian camp located on the Guadalupe River. Jenna’s emotional response was deeply personal:

  • Laura Bush’s Connection: Former First Lady Laura Bush, a Midland native, served as a camp counselor at Camp Mystic in her youth, cementing the Bush family's long-standing ties to the Hill Country camp culture.
  • The Community Bond: Jenna emphasized that while her children attend a different camp, the community of Texas camps is incredibly close. The heartbreak felt by the Camp Mystic families resonated deeply with her, underscoring the precious nature of the summer camp experience.
  • The Drop-Off: She described the complex emotions of dropping off Mila and Poppy at their own camp just days after the floods, highlighting the resilience of the Texas people and the enduring importance of the camp tradition, even in the face of natural disaster.

This event solidified the public understanding that the Hager children's camp is part of a larger, revered, and close-knit network of Texas Hill Country institutions, all bound by shared history and tradition.

The Enduring Bush Family Camp Tradition

The summer camp ritual is a significant part of the Bush family's generational story, extending far beyond the Hill Country. The family has always valued unplugged, independent experiences for their children.

From Homesickness to Independence

Jenna has been open about her daughters' initial struggles, a common experience for first-time campers. She famously shared a heartbreaking letter from her daughter, Mila, who was initially homesick. However, she also shared the subsequent joy and pride when Mila overcame her homesickness and returned home a more independent, confident child.

This narrative—the journey from homesickness to self-reliance—is a central theme of the traditional sleepaway camp experience and is precisely what Jenna and Henry Hager want for their children. The camp teaches valuable life skills: living with others, managing emotions without parental intervention, and finding comfort in a rustic, natural environment.

A Contrast to the White House

The camp experience offers a stark contrast to the highly public and often structured life of a former First Daughter and her children. By sending Mila and Poppy to a traditional Texas camp, Jenna Bush Hager is ensuring they maintain a connection to her roots, far from the celebrity culture of the Today Show studios in New York City.

The tradition ensures that while the girls have a life of privilege, they also understand the value of a simpler, outdoor existence, a core tenet of the Texas identity shared by their grandparents, George W. Bush and Laura Bush.

In conclusion, while the specific name of the camp remains a well-kept secret, the answer to "where do Jenna Bush’s kids go to camp" is clear: they go to a private, all-girls, legacy Texas Hill Country sleepaway camp, a place that represents a profound and enduring Bush family tradition of independence, resilience, and connection to their Texan heritage.

where do jenna bush's kids go to camp
where do jenna bush's kids go to camp

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where do jenna bush's kids go to camp
where do jenna bush's kids go to camp

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