Registration Opens for Returning Campers on Wednesday!
As summer of 2023 comes to a close and we reflect on another stellar summer here at Gwynn Valley, we feel so fortunate to have had such a phenomenal nine weeks! This was our first summer since 2019 where we were able to operate “as normal” with several camp traditions since COVID first arrived on the scene, including eating with mixed table groups and singing in the Lodge. It warmed our hearts to be able to share these traditions with the next generation of GV campers! Camp is quieting down now, and we already miss the sound of children singing before meals and laughing as they run from the soccer field to the archery range. Our Lodge is still and the bell is silent, and we are already counting down the days until our cove in the valley is vibrant with children again! We saw so many campers grow in wonderful ways as they overcame fears and gained confidence, whether that was on the climbing tower, the zipline, or after returning from their campouts. As we read notes from parents, we know we aren’t the only ones who saw campers grow this summer. Many parents told us they noticed their campers had a new sense of self-confidence and made memories that would last a lifetime. One parent let us know their son “came home more calm and relaxed than I had seen him in a long time!” Another told us “We love Gwynn Valley Camp! Our daughter always comes back from camp with more confidence, more independence, the sweetest new friendships, and has the best stories. Thank you for providing such a wonderful environment for children to experience the very best of childhood summers!”
That has always been our goal here at GV, to help our campers have the most fun possible and to nurture them such that they leave with a newfound independence and belief in their own capabilities and strength. It’s why we are in the summer camp business, and why Gwynn Valley has been able to flourish since its founding in 1935. Our goal is for GV to be a home away from home for campers, and summer of 2023 certainly accomplished that. As one new camper said after their session ended: “I finally, for the first time ever, feel like I found a place where I belong.” For another, “she feels like she is truly and completely herself when she is at camp.” It is such a privilege to play a role in shaping children’s lives, and we can’t wait to be able to do it again in summer 2024!
While the summer weather still hangs on for us here in Western North Carolina, we are already making plans for 2024 and can’t wait to start enrolling campers. Registration opens for our returning campers on Wednesday, August 30 at 10:00 am. If your child is applying to Mountainside, Riverside, or the Young Leaders program, their application needs to be received by September 6. Please refer to the email you received about enrollment for Older Programs from Katie. New campers can apply beginning September 15th at 10:00 am. Be sure to check availability on the Dates & Rates page as sessions fill quickly! For more details about registration, visit the Registration page. If you have any questions about camp or would like to come visit for a tour, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
We are excited for Summer 2024!
