Gwynn Valley

Gwynn Valley is a children's summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina. It is for girls and boys finishing kindergarten through eighth grade. It has been in existence since 1935. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/summerinfo/] The camp prides itself on having campers and counselors from many countries and states. [http://www.campchannel.com/camps/2686.html]

Gwynn Valley is a camp that focuses on the simple joys of childhood, away from everyday competition and stereotypes. It provides a variety of fun activities for campers and counselors. The camp also raises and grows approximately 70%-80% of its food with a fully operating farm.

Programs

Main Camp

Main Camp is for children finishing kindergarten through sixth grade. It is divided into Hillside and Brookside, two cabin areas at opposite ends of the main camp facilities (dining hall, Lodge, etc). There are 8-10 campers and two counselors (occasionally also interns and SITs) to a cabin, of which there are roughly twenty-five.

Hillside boys cabin are: Echo, Primavera, Raccoon Ridge where shawn is! and Aching Legs.Hillside girls cabins are: Playhouse, Island Ford, Peter Pan and Connestee Cove.

Brookside boys cabins are: Chestnut Hollow, Raines Cove, 7th Heaven and Sunrise.Brookside girls cabins are: Shady Grove, Dancing Waters, Meadow Brook, Rosebay, Running River and Blue Ridge(Blue Ridge is the best!).Possum Manor is a Brookside cabin that can either house boys or girls depending on what is needed that particular session.

Some of these cabins are near each other.

Main Camp has a variety of activities, including:
*A grist mill circa 1890s
*Horseback riding
*A working farm with crops and animals (goats, pigs, chickens, cows)
*Waterfront activities (lake, pool, tubing, kayaking, etc)
*Sports (archery, rock climbing, tree climbing, volleyball, tetherball, soccer, etc)
*Fine arts
*Pioneer crafts (basketry, leatherwork, gourd art, pottery)
*Texture crafts (Tye-dyeing, candlemaking, beaded bracelets, nature crafts, papermaking)
*Web of life (nature walks)
*Outdoor living skills, or OLS (camping skills, such as fire-building and map-reading) [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/programs/maincamp.shtml]

Mountainside

Mountainside is for children finishing fifth, sixth, or seventh grades. It is a short way from main camp, and consists of four cabins, two boys and two girls (Laurelwood, Summerset, Walnut Run, Wild Wood). There are 10 campers and 2 counselors to a cabin.

Mountainsiders have opportunities to do some of the Main Camp activities, but are (except for meals) separate from Main Campers, practicing for and going on Adventures. -The first week, all campers will go on one-day mini-adventures, one in each of four areas (canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, pioneering). -The second week, each camper chooses one of the four adventures and spends three days learning and practicing the necessary skills. -The third week, all campers spend 3½ days on their chosen adventure.

The idea of Mountainside is living in a community environment and supporting each other through the bonds made living with and getting to know each other for three weeks. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/programs/mountainside.shtml]

Riverside

Riverside is for teens finishing seventh and eighth grades. It is entirely separated from Main Camp and consists of two cabins, one male, one female. (Joe Pye, Indian Paintbrush) There are eleven campers in both cabins total, 6 girls and 5 boys, and one counselor per cabin. Campers essentially maintain the Riverside community, helping with meals, doing dishes, etc. Riversiders' cabins are located near The Center, where the kitchen, bathroom, and showerhouse are.

Riversides also participate in adventures; however, they set out on four-day adventures in three different areas (backpacking, white water canoeing, and rock climbing). The remainder of the three weeks are spent preparing for the adventures, participating in service projects, and building the inter-camper community. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/programs/riverside.shtml]

essions

Main Camp

There are five (or, alternatively, six) Main Camp sessions: A, B, C (also C1 and C2), D, and E.Session A is an 8-day session in early to mid June for finishing K-5.Session B is a 13-day session in mid to late June for finishing K-6.Session C is a 20-day session in July for finishing K-6.Session C1 is a 10-day session in early to mid July during the first half of C for finishing K-5.Session C2 is a 10-day session in mid to late July during the second half of C for finishing K-5.Session E is an 8-day session in early to mid June for finishing K-5.Campers may also stay for more than one session; this is referred to as “gypsying over”. During the several-day break between sessions, campers may go into Brevard or watch movies. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/summerinfo/]

Mountainside

There are four Mountainside sessions: MS1-A, MS1-B, MS2, and MS3.Session MS1-A is a 1½-week session that is a condensed version of Mountainside (“Taste of Mountainside). It is in early-mid June.Session MS1-B is a 1½-week session that is a condensed version of Mountainside (“Taste of Mountainside). It is in mid-late June.Session MS2 is a 3-week session during most of July.Session MS3 is a 3-week session during the end of July and most of August. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/summerinfo/]

Riverside

There are three Riverside sessions: RS1, RS2 and RS3.RS1 is a three-week session in June.RS2 is a three-week session during most of July.RS3 is a three-week session during the end of July and most of August. [http://www.gwynnvalley.com/summerinfo/]

References

http://www.gwynnvalley.com/

Campers have also produced a CD with Soul Driven Train and an amazing pianist, Miss Debord.