Young Leaders Learn GV’s Camp Legacy

This summer, the Cashiers Historical Society opened an exhibit on the history of summer camps in Western North Carolina. Lindsay Hostetler, the curator of “Campfires and the Embers of Youth,” welcomed our Young Leaders campers to Cashiers on Friday to see the exhibit and discuss Gwynn Valley’s place in the legacy of camping. 

Summer camp is a time for kids to step away from schools and screens for some fun playing outside. I was initially a little apprehensive at the thought of taking my teen-aged campers to see a museum exhibit. However, both groups were instantly taken with the immersive displays and camp memorabilia. It certainly doesn’t hurt to see so much of Gwynn Valley’s history on show!

A particular point of intrigue for the kids were some of the traditions we share with other camps. They discovered that our beloved Tajar sometimes makes appearances at different camps, though we are fortunate to celebrate his birthday each session. They were also fascinated by some of the songs and blessings we have in common, many of which date back to the 1950s! Did you know that Gwynn Valley had one of the first documented cases of Polio at a summer camp in the area? We do! 

Following the exhibit, the kids were invited to share a favorite memory from their camp experience on an index card, to be pinned up with a litany of other visitor responses. Our campers reflected on their Mountainside and Riverside trips, as well as the opportunities they’ve had to meet some of their best friends here. These conversations sparked some thoughtful discussions on the impact of their years spent at camp, and the ways that they can pay it forward for future generations of campers. 

The visit to Cashiers made me think of the way our campers contribute to Gwynn Valley legacy. Every bulls-eye, bell ring, and bracelet knot builds upon the history of this magical place in the mountains. My campers are already thinking about the kind of legacies they would like to leave, as both former campers and future staff members. What makes camp so special, I’ve decided, is the people who come back year after year, sustaining traditions and beginning their own.

 

-Sophie Peck, Young Leaders Head Counselor