Gwynn Valley Camp

Accommodation

Campers stay in rustic wooden cabins arranged by age group. Younger campers typically live in small Hillside cabins with about 8 campers and 2 counselors, while older elementary campers stay in Brookside cabins with similar supervision. Bathroom and shower facilities are located nearby in central bathhouses.

Older campers in Mountainside, Riverside, or Young Leaders programs follow the same model of small-group cabin living with close counselor supervision. The cabins act as a home base where campers build routines, practice independence, and form deep friendships. Cabin life emphasizes responsibility, teamwork, and creating a warm, respectful space for everyone.

Meals

Meals at Gwynn Valley highlight fresh, wholesome, farm-to-table cooking. Much of the produce and dairy used in meals comes directly from the camp’s own working farm and garden. Campers eat together at round tables in the dining hall, promoting conversation, connection, and a healthy family-style meal atmosphere.

Menus are balanced to support busy, active days and often include homemade breads, fresh vegetables, hearty proteins, and seasonal fruits. Mealtimes may also feature small chores such as helping shuck corn or assisting with table clean-up — simple tasks that build responsibility and community spirit. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Safety

Safety is central to daily life at Gwynn Valley. All adventure activities — such as climbing, horseback riding, archery, water sports, and biking — are led by trained instructors using age-appropriate equipment and supervision. Staff undergo comprehensive training to ensure best practices in risk management and child supervision.

Counselors live in cabins with campers, ensuring constant oversight and helping children adjust to camp routines. Group dynamics are carefully monitored to maintain a positive, inclusive environment. The camp’s emphasis on kindness, cooperation, and respect reduces competitive pressure and supports emotional safety alongside physical well-being.

Health & Medicine

All medications must be registered and provided during check-in, and the camp follows structured procedures for medication storage and administration. Trained health personnel are available to manage routine needs and minor illnesses or injuries.

The camp emphasizes prevention: hydration reminders, sunscreen routines, appropriate gear, and careful pacing of physical activities. Parents are encouraged to provide detailed medical information, allergy notes, and any necessary instructions to ensure their child’s well-being. Campers are also taught healthy habits and personal responsibility in daily routines.

Camp traditions

Gwynn Valley is grounded in traditions that emphasize community, simplicity, and appreciation of nature. Each day includes cabin gatherings, shared meals, songs, and reflective “friendship circles.” These rituals help campers decompress, share experiences, and strengthen the bonds within their cabin groups.

Longstanding traditions include farm and mill activities such as milking cows or goats, harvesting vegetables, and grinding corn using the camp’s historic 1890s grist mill. Evening programs — stories, songs, themed events, and campfires — bring the entire camp together for fun and connection. These traditions create a sense of continuity, belonging, and childhood wonder that campers fondly remember for years.

The activities program at Gwynn Valley blends structured learning with free exploration, allowing campers to craft a summer experience that reflects their interests. Campers participate in rotating morning activity blocks that repeat across sessions, building skills in areas such as crafts, climbing, biking, and farm work. Afternoon signup periods offer more flexibility, letting campers sample new activities or revisit favorites. Evenings gather everyone for community events — campfires, stories, group games, and themed nights.

This balanced structure encourages independence, creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. Campers experience a mix of hands-on learning, physical adventure, artistic expression, and time in nature.