Off to a Great Start
What a wonderful opening to camp we have had with lots of sunshine, cool weather, fun, and friendships being formed. We are off to a great start! After counselors helped their campers unpack and make their beds yesterday, we all headed to a buffet lunch. We signed up for our morning Discovery activities before cabin groups went to their swim assessment and two activities which may have been Sports, Archery, The Mill, Tie-Dye, Camping Skills and Nature, Crafts, Pottery, Horseback Riding, Lake Fun, Performing Arts, Climbing and of course The Farm. We believe in jumping right into activities to provide the campers with a busy first day in case anyone has a touch of homesickness. 
Mountainside followed suit and began their mini adventures which they continued today while Riverside began their ground school for climbing. Riverside headed out to Tenn. this morning for their four day rock climbing component. Life is full here at camp and especially in downtown GV. Campers in Main Camp started their discovery activities this morning and then signed up for activities after a delicious lunch. Sign ups take place everyday after lunch with all of our activities offered so that campers get to try lots of new things. We believe in building skills in our morning activities as well as branching out and trying new things at sign-ups. There’s so much to learn and do at camp that sometimes it’s hard to choose. 
We had a delicious meal tonight of teriyaki chicken and vegetables, rice, edamame, and fruit. The chicken is served separately in case we have children who may not like some of the veggies. Last night we had our child friendly spaghetti with fresh salad from the garden, fruit, and home baked dinner rolls followed by our traditional large chocolate chip cookies and milk. We eat so well at camp! After supper activities followed and tonight evening program consisted of mountain dancing for Hillside, firetime with marshmallows for Brookside, and Mountainside enjoyed their leave no trace program. After evening programs, it was off to bed, closing the day with Friendship Circles in each cabin, another tradition we enjoy here at camp. It’s so exciting that we get to wake up and start it all again tomorrow!
June 11th is National Get Outdoors Day! I want to thank you all for your commitment to Gwynn Valley in providing this outdoor opportunity to your children. Our outdoor learning is human powered and hands on where campers are encouraged to try something difficult every day. Camp should be and is a transformational experience that is outside the comforts of home and parent involvement. It’s a place where big ideas meet action that give birth to reaching new heights and spreading your independent wings. It’s a place where new friendships are made and flourish. It’s a place where the effervescence of fun and laughter abound. We of course cannot take your place as parents but we can partner with you in creating a wholesome and balanced experience that will create lots of happy memories for your camper.
I have a personal goal each and every summer which I have written and attached to my computer, so I see it every day. It reads, “to foster and reclaim the beauty, wonder, awe, potential and innocence of childhood”. Here at camp we simply say, “the simple joys of childhood”! Stay tuned for more updates and glimpses of camp from our eyes and perspective. We are excited to begin our 87th summer of Gwynn Valley. Thank you for providing this great group of campers.
