“It was December 25th, 1942, and early at that. A sandy-haired little girl named Carol came bounding down the stairs in sight of the living room mantle and the bulging stockings. The nearby tree was also laden with a multitude of boxes bright in their holiday wraps. The girl had only one purpose at the moment. ‘Did they know what I had been begging of Santa?’ Hurriedly she dug through the nuts and gum and oranges and pulled out a rolled piece of paper tied with a green velvet bow.
‘This must be it,’ she thought. Her squeals of delight brought the rest of the family into the room to see eight-year-old Carol bouncing up and down shouting, ‘I’m going to camp! I’m finally going to camp!’”
Carol, of course, was Skyland Camp’s beloved Bunny Brown. That special Christmas gift sparked a lifelong passion that led her to become a Skyland camper and later a counselor, administrator, and the Director of Skyland Camp. Bunny spent 79 summers on Skyland Hill, and she always regarded that Gift of Camp as the greatest gift that she ever received.
What is the Gift of Camp? Skyland offers girls like young Bunny Brown many gifts that can be unwrapped all year round and for years to come. Gifts like:
- Independence: Campers are in charge of keeping track of their own schedules and all of their personal items, which provides lessons that will translate into increased responsibility at home and in school.
- Self-Confidence: Skyland campers push themselves to excel in new arenas, like archery, horseback riding, musical theatre, and more! That confidence returns home with them! Campers report trying out for volleyball teams, running for a leadership position, or getting the lead in a musical … and often credit their confidence to summer success at Skyland.
- Friendship: Skyland friendships are forever friendships. Campers connect with girls of different ages and backgrounds; Skyland friendships span decades and often lifetimes.
- Community Responsibility: Campers learn how to navigate the ins and outs of being part of a community in a shared-living environment where everyone works together toward common goals. This helps campers develop skills of both leadership and teamwork, conflict resolution and shared goal-setting.
These are the just a few of the life-long gifts that Skyland campers have received over the past 100 years. At the end of each camp season, because of their Skyland experience, campers return home with confidence and a certain spirt that supports them all through the year. Some have said the Skyland energy is “palpable” from the minute they arrive on Skyland Hill. Others refer to it is the “Skyland Spirit” that sustains them all year long! Bunny Brown exemplified that spirt and energy her entire life!
If someone in your life is ready for the Gift of Camp, there is still time to register for next summer. Maybe the recipient is your daughter, granddaughter, niece, or neighbor. Maybe the whole family would enjoy the gift of Family Camp. The Gift of Camp is just as powerful for the adult girls in your life! Grown-Up Girl’s Camp is a fun and empowering camp for girls age 21+.
The Gift of Camp is a powerful gift that could change your camper’s life.
Send more girls to camp by donating to Skyland’s Campership Fund
