Gwynn Valley’s 90th Reunion Celebration!
Our 90th Reunion Celebration this August was the most magical and memorable way to end a summer at Gwynn Valley Camp. During the reunion weekend we welcomed over 300 alumni members ranging from former campers, former staff members, active and former board members, former directors and a few future campers! Attendees traveled far and wide to return to Gwynn Valley for a weekend of programs, activities, singing in the Lodge, catching up with friends and reminiscing amongst all of GV’s natural beauty. Folks traveled as far as Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand to as close as Asheville and many states in between to reconnect with co-counselors, cluster leaders (if you know you know) and cabin mates.
Friday was filled with a warm feeling of homecoming as folks checked in at the Gatehouse. Hugs and catch ups were aplenty despite the drizzly weather that welcomed the weekend. After a delicious meal of short ribs, GV milled grits, Farm corn and squash, we cozied into the Lodge for the Opening Campfire Program. In the fashion of Opening Evening Program for campers, we learned and shared what decades were represented as well as the myriad of roles, jobs and areas our alumni worked in. In the humble Lodge, standing tall since 1941, a staff member and camper from 1950s & 1965 who were nurtured and guided by Miss Mary Gwynn stood amongst the many other folks as decades were called. Attendees were then called to stand for the amount of summers they had spent at Gwynn Valley, the Lodge boasted over 1000 summers of simple joys amongst the generations of leaders and stewards of Gwynn Valley Camp. Former head counselors Sharen and Kay led us in a camp favorite song, Magic Penny, illuminating the Lodge with familiar voices in song. Debbie closed the evening with Sheep May Safely Graze, a beloved tradition to wind down a fun-filled day at camp.
Saturday was filled with exploring program areas such as the Farm, Climbing, Biking, Messy Crafts and the Waterfront. Others opted to hike to Connestee Falls or stroll along the hemlocks with friends of summers passed. The afternoon was met by Singing in the Lodge and a restorative rest hour to gear up for an afternoon at the Lake or Pool, followed by a night of celebrating the magic of camp. As many folks in attendance reminisced on the past, we also learned about future campers and the altruism the Gwynn Valley Campership Foundation provides for generations of campers to come. Board Chair Ginger Van Valkenburgh and Board Member Robin Rose spoke on the importance of the scholarship program at Gwynn Valley and the impact donations provide to the GV Campership Foundation. In the spirit of acceptance, one of GV’s core values, it is the goal to open our door to children from all walks of life. Whether you relived your camp memories at this year’s reunion or recall fond memories from time to time, Gwynn Valley evokes a sense of reliability and ease for campers to be kids playing outside and growing inside.
Share the gift of camp for campers and future generations by donating to the Campership Foundation, you can find all information by clicking here or reaching out to us directly.
The evening continued as we danced the night away in the Dining Hall joined by a caller and contra playing band. Afterwards, folks nestled into their cabins, and some even took to serenading their neighboring cabins! The weekend concluded with singing and shared gifts at our Sunday Service. Dressed in whites, alumni gathered in the Lodge to hear readings, poems, stories and songs. It was such a powerful display of connection and community to hear such a variety of expressions across eight decades of Gwynn Valley Alumni. With departure looming around camp, folks hugged, snapped photos and made plans to reunite before the next reunion. As a favorite camp song goes, ‘this is goodnight and not goodbye’. It was so captivating to witness the connection of alumni throughout the weekend; it’s amazing how one summer at camp can instill a sense of belonging and become a home away from home. To see how many others from across the country and the world hold this place in the palm of their hand, makes it that much more special to share a connection of a natural world filled with adventure, compassion and embodiment.
As we strive to stay more connected in an even more digital world, we are excited to announce an Alumni Decades Gallery on our website. This page will encapsulate just a small portion of the vast archival collection of Gwynn Valley history. We are so thrilled to share this peek into the past and illustrate how camp has evolved over the decades. As we continue to update the archives regularly, we hope that the history brings back memories of sweet summer days.
We hope to see you all gather together again soon. Until then: may the road rise to meet you!
