It’s that time of year again for me to review and recap our summer at Alleghany with my Top 5 favorites of the summer! It’s always fun to reflect back on the time we spent at camp and pick my favorite things. Our 102nd summer was smooth and successful, so as usual it was hard to narrow it down, but here goes!
5. A Successful First Summer without Sam and Bonnie
It may sound odd to celebrate the absence of Sam and Bonnie, but the reality is that we navigated our first summer without them with remarkable success. Both Sam and Bonnie had worn many hats over the years, and their retirement prompted us to carefully plan and adapt to fill their roles. We anticipated the challenge and made thoughtful adjustments, incorporating my own fresh perspectives into the mix.
Several noteworthy changes came out of this transition. Bonnie, who had always led our church services, was ably replaced by alumna Pattie Ames, who was warmly received by everyone. Instead of the traditional Tea with Bonnie for the 15s, we introduced Ice Cream with the Dream Team—a lively ice cream party hosted by the Head Counselors. Sam’s unique tradition of distributing peppermint patties at Lunch Under the Apple Tree was adapted to my own style of distribution. Additionally, Sam’s role in running errands was redistributed among our able support staff, and I took on the planning for our three major end-of-summer campfires, adding my own personal touch to them.
While we certainly felt their absence and missed their presence, this summer marked a successful transition into a new chapter for the camp. We hope they’ll visit us next summer!
4. Sunday Night Dinners
Older (ahem) alumnae like myself will remember the old school Sunday leftover buffet dinners and standing in a very long line. Years ago we changed that to a pizza dinner, but this year we chose a different spin. We decided to host international nights on Sundays (and a few other nights) to feature the countries represented in camp. This year we had counselors from England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, Columbia, and the Czech Republic. And we featured them all! The counselors submitted a menu and the kitchen always delivered to the best of their abilities. Then the counselors planned a brief presentation for the meal – they would explain the food, and then have some sort of interactive activity for us, whether a quiz on certain words in their language/dialect, a traditional dance from their country, the singing of their national anthem, and more. The counselors would deck out in their country’s colors and flags, and their patriotism was high! It was a very fun way to get to know the counselors and their countries and cultures even better.
On top of that, Sunday is the one night of the week when we don’t require our traditional dinner uniform of blues and whites. We say “you can wear whatever you would like,” and this year the campers and staff really took that and ran with it! We saw everything from costumes, to animal suits, to dresses, and even girls dressing like Greenbrier boys. It was hilarious and a very fun and creative way for the campers and staff to express themselves. I had no idea it would take off this way, but we enjoyed seeing all the outfits every Sunday at the dining hall.
3. Banquet Theme
This year’s Banquet theme was near and dear to my heart. I studied abroad in Paris, so when ‘Ghany Goes to Paris was decided as the Banquet theme, of course I was extra excited! We also added in the Olympics as part of the theme, naturally. The inside of the Dining Hall was completely decked out to look like Parisian storefronts and cafes, complete with bistro lights and old fashioned portraits. The Banquet table of course had an Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomph, and other Parisian landmarks as decorations. The French flag proudly hung on both Dining Hall levels. Planning the food was also super fun, as we put a French twist on our traditional Banquet menu, adding Chicken Cordon Bleu, cheese plates to each table, baguette with dipping oil, and tiered trays of French desserts and mousses. The Play Hall got its own fun set of decorations as well. The counselors dressed as either Olympians, famous French people, or general frenchwoman in berets and classic French flare. The whole night was festive, delicious, and fun! J’adore Paris!
2. Stephanie’s Engagement
This was probably the highlight of the summer for 2nd Term campers, especially those in the Senior Dining Hall at dinner on July 18! Our Program Director Stephanie Astley has worked at Alleghany almost her entire adult life, so of course her long-term partner Joey understands how special and important this place is to her. But we didn’t know he’d actually propose at camp! He came for a long weekend visit, and arrived on a Thursday afternoon. Minutes before dinner he secretly told Cami (Director of Marketing and Leadership) that he planned to propose at dinner, and wanted to make sure she took pictures and helped coordinate standing them up for a song. Cami immediately let me know, and we quickly put a plan into place. Once they were both finished eating, we had the Head Counselors table sing the Whippoorwill song to them – a song about being in love – and afterward Joey asked Stephanie to stay standing. He dropped to one knee, and the rest is history! We are so thankful he let us know he was going to do this because Cami got some amazing photos, and I was able to catch it on video! All of camp was on a high for several days afterward, sharing in the love and excitement for Stephanie and Joey.
1. Our Staff!
I know I say this every year, but I can’t overstate how exceptional our counselors and staff were this summer. This team wasn’t just energetic, motivated, and positive—they went above and beyond at every turn, ensuring that each camper experienced something truly magical. Their commitment to their roles and to the camp transformed our job as directors, making it not only easier but profoundly rewarding. With such a stellar team, even the inevitable challenges were met with grace and resilience.
Our summer theme, Grow Through What You Go Through, emphasized personal growth for both staff and campers, and our team embraced it wholeheartedly. They surpassed all expectations, and their dedication has been truly inspiring.
But it wasn’t just the counselors who shone. Our entire support network—medical staff, Mini Camp counselors, kitchen staff, chefs, the Green Team, Family Camp staff, and everyone behind the scenes—played a crucial role. Each one of them dedicated their time and energy to making Alleghany an extraordinary place.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts made this summer unforgettable for everyone involved.
In Closing
This summer was, once again, nothing short of extraordinary, etching unforgettable memories for both campers and staff that will last a lifetime. The experiences we shared were rich and meaningful, woven into the fabric of our collective journey. Each moment—from the laughter and camaraderie to the personal growth and shared triumphs—has contributed to an indelible chapter in our camp’s story.
I am deeply humbled and honored to be part of this transformative experience year after year. Witnessing the impact of our time together, the bonds forged, and the growth achieved is profoundly rewarding. As we reflect on the remarkable summer we’ve just had, I’m filled with anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.
I look forward to reuniting with everyone next summer, ready to create new memories, tackle fresh challenges, and continue our shared journey of growth and discovery. Until then, thank you for being a vital part of this incredible adventure.
