Celebrating Culture & Community at Camp
While campers scatter across Gwynn Valley each morning and afternoon for their various activities and adventures, cherished moments rooted in familiarity and unity remain a constant. These moments unfold during nightly Friendship Circles and Evening Programs, as well as three times a day around the table at each shared meal.
One of my favorite places at camp is the Dining Hall, which truly lies at the heart of what community looks like here at GV. At every meal, we gather around mixed tables with campers and staff members of different ages and genders, sharing food, conversation, and laughter. It is a simple tradition that beautifully reflects the welcoming spirit of camp.
On International Days, meals become even more special. Thanks to our international staff, campers have the opportunity to experience different cultures through traditional foods, customs, and lingo, making the Dining Hall a place to learn, try something new, and celebrate one another.
Yesterday, we celebrated the food and culture of England, Scotland, and Wales. Our morning began with a traditional full English breakfast, introduced alongside none other than a lively procession of our UK staff and even featuring a live bagpipe performance! Lunch was just as festive, with our Scottish staff showing everyone the “Slosh,” a popular line dance, before serving sausage rolls and “chips” (which most of our campers know to be fries!). We rounded off our meals with a very Welsh dinner of Cawl (stew) and Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.
The International Day festivities continued beyond the Dining Hall with games and counselor performances during our very own Britain’s Got Talent at Evening Program. Campers were treated to appearances from One Direction, The Beatles, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, a Harry Potter-themed band, and more! Talk about British and talented.
During the past few days, our Mountainsiders have been busy completing their mini adventures in Expedition Canoeing, Whitewater Kayaking, Climbing, Backpacking, and Mountain Biking. Soon, they will submit their preference choices for how they’d like to spend their upcoming four-day overnight adventure. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, either. Over the past few evenings, they’ve tackled the famously silly Mountainside Scavenger Hunt, visited the animals at the Farm, and enjoyed mountain dancing with Debbie and Grant.
Meanwhile, it has been wonderful to welcome our Riversiders back to camp after completing their climbing adventure. Luckily, the rain didn’t interfere overly much with their days in the field, allowing them to make the most of every climb. They are a brave, funny, and wonderful group who have grown even closer through shared stories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Of course, the magic of the Dining Hall would not be possible without our incredible Young Leaders, who set the tables and serve every meal with smiling faces. Between meals, they have been hard at work in their respective program areas, consistently demonstrating the core values that make Gwynn Valley so special.
With another full day behind us and many more memories already in the making, D Session has reminded me just how quickly camp can feel like home. I already look forward to waking up tomorrow and sharing another meal and day with this wonderful community.
– By Evie Eikhoff
