Gwynn Valley

Gwynn Valley is a children's summer camp in Brevard, North Carolina. The camp serves girls and boys finishing kindergarten through ninth grade. It was founded in 1935 by Mary Gwynn.Gwynn Valley offers a farm, wilderness, and traditional program that nurtures the child while fostering a connection with the land and the simple joys of childhood. Mary Gwynn created a camp based on the values of simplicity, acceptance, a non-competitive program and an appreciation of the natural world. These values are still embraced by Gwynn Valley today.

Through fun and engaging program participation, Camp strives to develop the following life skills in our campers: resilience, responsibility, cooperative skills, confidence and personal independence.

Throughout camp’s history, the philosophy and traditions have remained the same. The strength of Gwynn Valley is its nurturing environment in a child centered world where each camper will learn and grow under the guidance of a mature and caring staff.

The camp provides many traditional camp activities as well as adventure based activities for campers. The camp grows 70% of its food from an on-site farm. [1]

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. 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, Chipmunk Hut, and Aching Legs. Hillside girls cabins are: Playhouse, Mountainview, Island Ford, Peter Pan and Connestee Cove.

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

Main Camp has a variety of activities, including:

Mountainside (Strong Side)

Mountainside is for children finishing fifth, sixth, or seventh grades. Those who finish eighth grade can also attend if they are unable to get into Riverside. 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, also possibly an intern.

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.

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 (M), Indian Paintbrush(F)) There are twelve campers in both cabins total, 6 girls and 6 boys, and one counselor per cabin. Campers do chores such as helping make meals and cleaning up dishes. 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.

Sessions

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.

Mountainside

There are four Mountainside sessions: MS1-A, MS1-B, MS2, and MS3. Sessions MS1-A and B are 1½-week sessions that attempt to provide a condensed version of Mountainside (“Taste of Mountainside") in 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.

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.

Employment

Jobs

Gwynn Valley offers many types of employment. A few are explained below: SIT: Highschoolers aged 16 and 17 can be staff-in-training for three weeks, and enjoy limited and supervised staff privileges. INTERN: An intern is a rising college freshman, at least 18 years of age. They get full staff freedoms, such as unsupervised nights-off, but do not have full responsibility in the cabin. COUNSELOR: A counselor will work in a program area and be one of two in a cabin for most age groups. They must be over 18 and have completed a year of college or an equivalent gap-year. PROGRAM STAFF: Program staff do not have direct responsibility with children, but do interact with them in the activity they work in. SUPPORT STAFF: Support staff includes maintenance, kitchen staff, housekeeping, office staff, and other behind-the-scenes workers. LEADERSHIP TEAM: Includes directors/assistant directors, logistics and head counselors for each "side," and the SIT coordinator, amongst others.

Hiring

Staff are expected to be certified in CPR/First Aid/AED. Orientation occurs before the summer begins. Background checks occur, and drug use at camp is grounds for dismissal. Gwynn Valley does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, ability, age, socio-economic status, sexuality, or sex.

References

  1. ↑ Gwynn Valley Website, Green page
[1]

[2]

External links

Coordinates: 35°10′14″N 82°44′27″W / 35.170616°N 82.740741°W / 35.170616; -82.740741

  1. ↑ No author. "Employment". Gwynn Valley. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. ↑ No author. "Green". Gwynn Valley. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
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