Opening Day at Gwynn Valley!
The drive through Brevard is quiet and peaceful, but butterflies flutter in first-time campers’ bellies as the Gwynn Valley sign appears through the trees. As families make their way down Gwynn Valley Trail, they’re met with a warm greeting from staff who hold thrilling news: cabin assignments! After parking, families gather their camper’s luggage and pass it off to the maintenance team—it will magically appear at your cabin, ready to be unpacked. Parents and campers then walk together toward their cabin, guided by friendly counselors and welcomed along the way by members of the leadership and director team. It’s a chance to take in the sights — the Green buzzing with activity, the shade of tall trees, the mill wheel rotating. When they arrive at the cabin, counselors are waiting with wide smiles and name tags. Campers are introduced to their cabinmates, parents help unpack, and before long, say their final goodbyes after an extended hug. Icebreakers spark the first giggles of the session, while tummies rumble for their first taste of delicious home-grown camp food.
The first-day lunch is full of excitement. Campers are introduced to pre-meal songs and family-style dining, while counselors help them choose their Discovery (morning) activity preferences. After lunch, it’s time to explore camp and its myriad of program areas! Cabin groups rotate through an afternoon of orientation activities designed to help new campers feel confident and grounded in a new or familiar setting. Cabins participate in two assigned activities, which might include climbing, biking, pottery, archery, a hike to the Rock or visiting the farm.
As the sun dips lower in the sky, everyone gathers for dinner—another opportunity to share stories from the day and connect across cabins. The evening brings two of camp’s most beloved traditions: ASA’s (After Supper Activities) and the evening program. ASA’s allow campers to get their energy out before bedtime, with options ranging from friendship-bracelet making to games on the Green. The evening program kicks off with Opening Campfire, which welcomes everyone into the Gwynn Valley family. Campers learn where their fellow cabinmates and counselors are from and enjoy silly and creative skits performed by Program Leaders— offering a taste of the activity areas they’ll explore throughout the session. It’s a joyful, laughter-filled introduction to the magic of camp life.
As the day winds down and campers begin to yawn, counselors lead their cabin groups back to their bunks. The evening closes with Friendship Circle—a cherished nightly ritual where campers share their rose (a favorite part of the day), bud (something they’re looking forward to), and thorn (a challenge or low point). These quiet and honest moments not only encourage reflection individually but as a group. After a bit of reading or quiet flashlight time, campers drift off to the soothing sounds of cicadas and crickets, joined by the gentle melodies of the serenaders who visit each cabin, singing lullabies to mark lights out. As sleep settles over camp, dreams are already forming about the adventures waiting in the new day ahead.
– Kati Tanner, Communications Coordinator, Summer Leadership
