As the days get closer and your family prepares for your daughter’s Camp Alleghany adventure, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. There’s so much to look forward to: new friendships, personal growth, skill-building, and a whole lot of fun. But with that anticipation also comes natural questions and a few “what-ifs.”
We spend a lot of time talking about all the joys and benefits of camp—and they are so real. But camp, like life, isn’t perfect every single moment. There will be ups and downs, surprises, and small challenges. And that’s okay. In fact, that’s part of the magic.
This blog is our way of being transparent and helping manage expectations—not to worry you, but to equip you and your camper for a successful experience. Because when we prepare for both the highs and the lows, we build resilience, confidence, and life skills that last far beyond the summer.
She might not get along perfectly with everyone
This is normal! Whether it’s a tentmate whose personality doesn’t quite mesh or a camper who needs a little more space, these situations arise sometimes—and they mirror scenarios your daughter will experience at home, too. Learning to live with others, even when it’s not easy, is a life lesson in compromise, empathy, and communication.
Our counselors are trained extensively in conflict resolution, camper communication, and creating a supportive group dynamic. They know how to step in when needed and help campers find common ground or simply coexist peacefully.
A helpful way to prepare your camper is to talk about this ahead of time. You might ask: What can you do if you don’t click with someone? What’s within your control? How do you ask for help when you need it? These are powerful questions for building self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
And later, when you’re debriefing the camp experience together, dig into what she learned from those moments. Try questions like: “How did you handle that?” “Who supported you?” “What would you do differently next time?”
She may not love every activity—or her exact schedule
At Alleghany, campers choose four activities and stick with them throughout the term. We do this intentionally—to encourage persistence, commitment, and growth. Many activities have skill levels to pass (like Archery or Canoeing), or a performance or show at the end of the session (like Dance, Drama, or Arts & Crafts). One thing that sets Alleghany apart from other camps is that three weeks in the same four activities allows campers to gain mastery and confidence.
That said, not every camper gets every top choice in the order she wants. We do our very best, and most of the time it works out—but occasionally, an activity fills up, or she gets it at a different time of day than hoped.
This is a great moment to practice flexibility and positive thinking. Maybe Tennis in the afternoon is hot, but it’s followed by a refreshing free swim. Or maybe having Arts & Crafts in the morning brings new friends she wouldn’t have met otherwise.
We recommend encouraging your camper to brainstorm six activities she’d enjoy, just in case a top choice isn’t available. Talk through the benefits of different schedules, and help her reframe any unexpected pairings as opportunities in disguise.
She may get injured or sick
Let’s be honest—camp is active and outdoorsy! A few bug bites, bumps, or sniffles are bound to happen. We have a full-time medical team, including two RNs and a physician, on-site 24/7 to ensure campers get excellent care.
Most minor issues (like scrapes, sore muscles, or rashes) are treated without parent contact. However, you’ll be notified if your camper:
- Is sick in the Infirmary for more than 24 hours
- Is prescribed antibiotics
- Has a suspected or confirmed concussion
- Requires stitches
- Has a tick bite
- Visits the Infirmary three times for the same issue
Full details are outlined in our Parent Handbook, and we encourage you to read and review that section ahead of time.
She might have a tough day
We all do—campers included. Maybe she didn’t sleep well, got too much sun, or just had a moment of feeling overwhelmed. That’s completely normal.
Usually, a “bad day” is short-lived, and campers bounce back quickly, especially with the support of their tentmates and counselors. However, you may hear about it in a letter—because that’s when she has downtime to write and reflect. It’s important to remember that by the time you receive that letter, she’s likely already moved on and is back to enjoying camp.
Help your daughter prepare by packing things that comfort her—a journal, coloring supplies, puzzle books, a favorite magazine, or friendship bracelet string. These little things go a long way in creating moments of calm.
She may not “click” with her counselor
Our staff is incredible, and we work hard to hire warm, capable, enthusiastic counselors. But sometimes personalities just don’t align perfectly—and that’s okay. It happens to all of us in different stages of life.
Fortunately, there are many adults at Alleghany, including Unit Heads and Head Counselors, who are available for campers to talk to. We encourage girls to speak up if something feels off. In fact, we teach them to advocate for themselves—whether by talking to a trusted counselor, writing a note, or simply saying, “I need help.”
And even if your daughter’s tent counselor isn’t her vibe, maybe her Unit Head, or instructor in one of her activities, is an exciting new role model that she can bond with. Camp offers lots of ways to get to know many different counselors.
Before camp, talk to your daughter about the importance of communicating when something isn’t working. It’s a powerful life skill—and we’re here to listen.
She will miss home (and that’s normal!)
Even our most seasoned campers feel pangs of homesickness now and then. Missing the comforts of home doesn’t mean she’s not having fun—it means she’s adjusting and growing.
We have tools in place to help with these feelings, and our staff is trained to support campers through them. For tips on preparing your daughter, visit the “Homesickness” section in our Parent Handbook. A little prep goes a long way!
Three Weeks Might Seem Too Long
Whether your daughter is jumping into Term Camp for the first time, or transitioning from Mini Camp to a full session, it’s very common to wonder: Is three weeks just too long?
We hear this concern often—sometimes from campers, but more often from parents! The idea of being apart for that long can feel daunting at first. But time and again, families tell us that their camper was ready—and that the growth, joy, and confidence that came from sticking it out was worth every minute.
Here’s why: we simply can’t accomplish the true mission of camp in less than three weeks. Building resilience, independence, and grit—those deep, lasting life skills—takes time. Learning to navigate challenges, resolve conflicts, make mistakes and recover from them… all of that can’t be rushed. Neither can the magic of strong friendships, meaningful memories, or that sense of ownership campers feel by the end of the term. These things grow slowly, steadily, and beautifully—like anything worth doing.
We live in a world of instant results and quick fixes. But at Alleghany, we intentionally go against that grain. We know that character development doesn’t happen overnight. And it’s in those three weeks—over the arc of settling in, growing, stumbling, connecting, and finally thriving—that the real transformation occurs.
Campers often tell us the first few days feel the longest. Everything is new, and adjustment takes energy. But once the rhythm of camp kicks in, time flies. Suddenly it’s the last week, and they can’t believe how fast it went.
And when it’s over? They are so proud of themselves. Proud to have been away from home, proud to have figured things out, proud to have built something meaningful. That sense of pride and ownership is invaluable—and it stays with them long after summer ends.
Three weeks is, in truth, a small step toward the independence they’ll need in high school, college, and beyond. And what a gift it is for them to practice that now, in a supportive, structured, and deeply caring environment.
Alleghany originally ran two four-week sessions, later shortened to 3.5 weeks. Today’s three-week model reflects both tradition and modern flexibility—but if anything, we find ourselves wishing for more time! It’s a challenge to fit all the fun, learning, and growth into just three weeks. (We make it work, but it’s a full and beautiful ride!)
If you’re still on the fence, we encourage you to check out these blog posts we’ve written on why three weeks works—and why it’s just right.
What you might not expect as a parent
Her counselor may be younger than you thought
Our Term Counselors range in age, typically from 17 to 22, with some even older. And yes—we do hire 17-year-olds! These are our Junior Counselors (JCs), rising high school seniors who have completed our rigorous 6-week Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program the summer before. This is no casual experience—it’s a comprehensive leadership development course that prepares them mentally, emotionally, and practically for the responsibilities of being a counselor. And even after successfully completing the LIT program, they still must go through a full application and interview process just like every other staff member. In the end, JCs are sometimes seen as the most fun counselors to have because of all of the traditions that go into the JC program.
A parent once asked me, “How can this child take care of my child?” It’s a valid question—and one we take seriously. Our counselors may be young, but they are bright, capable, passionate, and fully trained. Every single staff member participates in an intense 2-week Staff Training period before campers arrive, during which we focus on safety, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and camper care. If a counselor isn’t ready for the responsibility, that’s identified and addressed before the first trunk is unzipped on Opening Day.
Above all, know this: we would never hire someone we wouldn’t trust with our own children. That’s the standard, and it’s one we uphold with great care.
She may hear conversations you didn’t anticipate
Campers have lots of structured activity time, but they also enjoy moments of free time—playing on the tennis courts, relaxing in the sun, or hanging out on Tent Row. These times are always supervised, but just like at a playdate or slumber party at home, counselors, like parents, may not overhear every word.
Campers are curious and chatty, and sometimes topics like school, religion, money, or relationships come up. Our staff is trained to guide, redirect, or step in when needed. But sometimes, the conversation has already happened.
You can’t prepare your child for every topic, but you can help her feel confident navigating conversations. Talk about how to speak up, change the subject, walk away, or seek out a counselor. Most conversations are totally benign—but empowering your daughter to advocate for herself is a skill that will serve her well, in camp and beyond.
Looking Back
And for those of us who’ve been there—longtime Alleghany campers who spent six, eight, even ten summers as campers on the banks of the Greenbrier—we can tell you firsthand: those little bumps in the road? They fade. Maybe it was a tentmate we didn’t quite click with, a counselor we didn’t vibe with, a brief illness in the Infirmary, or a tough conversation that stretched us. In the moment, sure—it felt big. But when we look back over all those summers, those challenges don’t define our experience. If anything, they helped shape it. Some of these hiccups even became funny stories or inside jokes to share over the years.
What does stand out in our memories are the friendships that became family. The traditions that became part of who we are. The laughter, the late-night whispers, the team spirit, the deep confidence we built year after year. The growth. The magic. The joy. Alleghany gave us the space to learn who we were and who we wanted to become—and that’s what stays with us, long after the trunks are unpacked.
Those moments of challenge? They weren’t a hindrance to the experience. They were part of the journey. Looking back now, we wouldn’t trade it for anything. We might even have a laugh.
In Closing
We know this is a lot to take in—and we want to reassure you that the vast majority of your daughter’s camp experience will be overwhelmingly positive. But acknowledging that there may be a few bumps along the way helps set realistic expectations and prepares your camper (and you!) for a smoother journey.
We’re here to support your family every step of the way. If you ever have questions or concerns, please reach out—we’re always happy to talk.
We can’t wait to welcome your daughter to Alleghany this summer!
