Several Days of Fun in the Sun at GV
We have had quite the exciting weekend at Gwynn Valley! An air of magic always looms here, but with Main Camp, Mountainside, Riverside, and Young Leaders all here together for a few days, discoveries in full swing, and an extra-sporty Special Day, that sense of wonder felt even more amplified.
On Friday, Main Camp’s B-day discoveries began! In the afternoon, they chose from a variety of amazing activity sign-ups, which included making ice cream at the Mill (vanilla, garnished with blueberries and a lemon glaze) and a Farm creek hike that ended with time to play with baby goats and chickens. For the sports sign-up, campers watched the USA vs. Australia World Cup game, which ended with a 2-0 USA win!
Meanwhile, Mountainside completed their mini-adventures and filled out their top preferences for which one they’d like to try on for a 3-day overnight offsite trip (between Backpacking, Whitewater Kayaking, Canoeing, Biking, and Climbing respectively). On Saturday night, they found out what their adventure would be, with most campers getting their assignment on the Gatehouse Green in front of a magnificent sunset falling behind the mountains. Other cabins opted to do their nightly Friendship Circle in the gorgeous outdoor setting as well. In the words of our Camp Director, Ezekiel, “most sunsets are beautiful at GV, but this one was extra special.”
During their limited days at camp, Riverside also joined in with Main Camp activities, along with doing their own mountain biking ride to the French Broad. They geared up to leave for their final adventure (backpacking!) and spent time learning tarpcraft (which is a skill that will be invaluable these next few days). We can’t wait to hear all of their stories when they get back!
A major highlight of Friday was celebrating Juneteenth with an extra-special dinner. This is an important holiday to celebrate freedom and justice as well as to recognize how those two things have often been delayed for many Americans. One of the many ways folks often celebrate Juneteenth is by drinking red drinks and eating red foods. As such our dinner featured red kidney beans with rice and red velvet cake! We also partook of a delicious classic southern meal: BBQ wings, sweet potato bisque, collard greens, and okra. We also played music featuring all African American artists, for whom this day bears special significance, during dinner.
In addition, Main Campers mountain danced in the Lodge, watched some acted-out Tajar Tales, and embarked on cabin campouts filled with s’mores, games, and sleeping bags galore!
All of this fun was, of course, followed by even more fun! Sunday was Special Day, and campers woke up to a soccer-decorated dining hall and news that the World Cup had been stolen by none other than the Tajar. They were determined to get it back!
In lieu of morning discoveries, cabins rotated between World Cup-themed activities, including archery, crab soccer, and crafts. In the afternoon, they chose between playing sports, making friendship bracelets, swimming in the pool, or watching a World Cup game. By dinner, to the Tajar’s dismay and the campers’ glee, the stolen trophy was found.
To put a perfect bow on these exciting days, we celebrated the Summer Solstice outside on the green during our Sunday Service. We engaged in a peaceful celebration as campers shared their gifts of song, piano, and original cabin performances. B-session is filled with talent!
While life at Gwynn Valley is certainly exciting, we stay grounded in gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us – and for the wonderful B-Session campers who are the heart of it all.
-By Evie Eikhoff
