Building, Playing, Growing: A Spring Update from Camp
The past two weeks, I’ve spent a few days out of the office and down at the farm for one of my favorite GV-offseason jobs, the first planting of the season. So far, we have planted rows of broccoli, carrots, corn, lettuce, potatoes, onions, leeks, cabbage, and cauliflower, along with a packed tunnel house. This process always gets me so excited for camp, as I start daydreaming about sitting around a dinner table full of these veggies with all the new and returning campers and staff of 2026. With camp rolling around the corner and the signs of spring throughout the mountains, I wanted to share some of the things we have been working on this offseason, and some of the particular things that have me so excited for the summer of 2026.
One of the first signs of spring on warm March days is the emergence of blue-winged olives, mayfly nymphs, and other aquatic insects hatching from our cold mountain waters. As an angler, this is the time of year when the trout really come alive. I often hear from alumni who cherish memories of fishing in the Mill Pond during their camper years. While the pond can no longer sustainably support trout due to changing climate conditions, we are thrilled to bring fishing back to GV this summer by introducing Fly Fishing as a discovery option for our Main Campers. In this class, campers will master basic knots and casting principles while learning about trout habitats and the bugs they eat. They will also test their skills in Carson Creek, which boasts a remarkably healthy wild brown trout population. I can’t wait to see our campers fall in love with the art of fly fishing while practicing patience and gaining a deeper understanding of our local ecology.
Another program that will be adding some exciting new aspects to camp is our Music program. Music has, of course, been a long-standing tradition at camp: Music is a thread that runs through every tradition at Gwynn Valley. From singing in the Lodge after lunch and international staff sharing their cultures, to campfire renditions of “Homegrown Tomatoes” and ending our evenings with “Sheep May Safely Graze,” it has always been a cornerstone of our community. This year, we are leaning into that tradition with expanded music education. Campers will have the chance to learn basic string and percussion instruments from our talented musicians Chris, Marty and Debbie. This past summer, we began transcribing many beloved Gwynn Valley songs into sheet music. We look forward to using these new songbooks to teach the next generation the melodies that have defined GV memories for decades. If you are planning to come to camp this summer, bring your favorite instrument if you want, and get ready to jam at GV!
Beyond our programming, we’ve also been busy improving our physical spaces. This spring, we are completing a significant renovation of the blacksmithing building. For years, the shop has been a hub of creativity and heat, but the new updates will provide a much more functional and open environment for our young smiths. With improved ventilation, better workstations, and a layout designed for safety and collaboration, the program is going to have its best year yet. I’m eager to see the sparks fly and watch campers transform raw metal into art in this upgraded space.
Whether we are planting seeds in the soil, casting lines into the creek, or striking a new chord in the Lodge, everything we do in the offseason is centered on creating a meaningful experience for our community. These updates to our site and programs are all about honoring our history while growing toward the future. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the mountains soon to see it all for yourself.
