“Trust isn’t something we expect — it’s something we earn.”
Sending your child to camp is one of the most profound acts of trust a parent can make. You’re not just packing a trunk — you’re handing over your whole world to the care of others. At Camp Alleghany, we recognize that trust isn’t something given lightly. It’s something we build long before Opening Day and work to honor every single day of the summer.
For us, trust is a practice. It’s built through preparation, strengthened by transparency, and proven through consistency, over generations of families who have believed in what Alleghany stands for.
What We Mean by Trust
At Camp Alleghany, trust isn’t just about knowing your camper is safe. It’s about confidence in the systems, people, and values that surround her every day. Behind every activity, every policy, and every decision lie decades of experience, careful planning, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right for our campers.
We prepare for months before the first tent goes up. We communicate openly with families about what’s happening and why. And we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards so that you can relax knowing your child is in capable, caring hands.
Safety and Preparedness
Safety is our foundation — the starting point for everything we do. Before any camper sets foot on the banks of the Greenbrier River, our staff undergoes a mandatory two-week training period that covers every aspect of camp life: from emergency procedures and hands-on drills, to communication tools that ensure emotional safety. Staff learn how to resolve conflict, comfort a homesick camper, and offer meaningful praise that fosters personal growth.
Every team member becomes CPR and First Aid certified on site, and over half of our counselors are certified lifeguards. We review emergency procedures in detail during training, reinforce them at the end of staff week, and revisit them regularly in weekly staff meetings or as situations arise throughout the summer.
Our safety training also includes clear policies and education on camper boundaries and abuse prevention; every staff member is taught how to recognize, report, and prevent inappropriate behavior. We believe proactive education and vigilance are essential to keeping every child safe.
This culture of preparedness extends beyond physical safety. It’s also about mental and emotional readiness — giving staff the skills to support each camper, anticipate needs, and act calmly and confidently when unexpected moments occur.
Qualified, Caring Staff
Trust is built person by person. Our Program Director, Stephanie Astley, carefully curates a team of young women who are competent, responsible, and genuinely excited to be at camp. Many are long-time Alleghany girls themselves, bringing years of experience and deep understanding of our traditions. Those who are new come with their own expertise — teaching, coaching, mentoring, or serving in other youth-focused environments — and quickly become part of our Alleghany family.
As an ACA-accredited camp, our specialized activity areas such as Archery, Rifle, Ropes Course, Swimming, Canoeing, and Pottery require additional certifications and training. We ensure every staff member leading these programs meets those standards before campers ever arrive. This attention to detail ensures that every child is led by someone both qualified and passionate about what they do.
Accreditation and Infrastructure
Camp Alleghany proudly maintains annual accreditation with the American Camp Association, a process that evaluates our operations against hundreds of national standards for safety, health, and program quality. This year’s ACA visit resulted in a perfect review — a testament to the care and consistency that define our approach.
We also invest heavily in our facilities to ensure safety and longevity. Recent projects include a full restructuring of our plumbing and drainage system, brand-new bathrooms in the Kitchen and Dining Hall, and the beginning of a complete tennis court renovation after the old ones fell into disrepair. We don’t let maintenance needs linger; when something requires attention, we act quickly and responsibly.
Communication and Transparency
Trust thrives on open communication, both inside and outside of camp. This summer, when news broke about flooding at another camp in Texas, we immediately addressed parent concerns through two detailed emails. We shared our own flood emergency procedures, explained the safeguards we’ve developed through years of experience, and described exactly how our staff practices and reviews these drills.
Inside camp, communication is just as strong. Our staff use walkie-talkies, bullhorns, a PA system, and weather-alert radios to coordinate activities and respond instantly to any developing situation. We also maintain a dedicated WhatsApp group for urgent communication among staff. Every counselor is trained in these methods during staff training week, ensuring clarity and calm no matter what arises.
If something unexpected ever occurs, parents are notified promptly and thoroughly by email. We believe that honesty and transparency create peace of mind, and that you should always know what’s happening at camp, even when it’s behind the scenes.
Camper Care and Community
At Alleghany, every camper is known, supported, and valued. From the first night, counselors work to build a strong tent bond — through conversation games and activities, or small adventures like s’mores nights and tent meal hikes. These shared experiences create a foundation of comfort and trust that allows campers to be themselves and reach new levels of confidence.
Counselors are trained to recognize and respond to campers’ needs, whether it’s a bout of homesickness or a more complex emotional challenge. If a camper needs extra support, counselors collaborate with Unit Heads or Head Counselors, who communicate directly with the Director team. When needed, I personally reach out to parents — during or after the session — to share insights, progress, and next steps.
We also have a Wellness Counselor on staff — similar to a school counselor — who provides emotional support for both campers and staff. Her presence helps ensure that every member of our camp community has a safe, caring space to process feelings and grow.
Continuous Improvement
At the end of every summer, we pause to reflect. During our annual Fall Retreat, our leadership team reviews parent surveys in detail, addressing concerns and brainstorming improvements. We also look at feedback gathered mid-session directly from campers, so we can act in real time to improve their experiences before the term even ends.
Feedback isn’t something we fear, it’s something we welcome. We’re committed to learning from it, adapting, and evolving so that each season is stronger than the last. This ongoing loop of communication, reflection, and change is how we ensure that trust isn’t just earned once — it’s earned again and again.
Are We Perfect?
Are we perfect? Not by any means. Things can fall through the cracks, and we sometimes make mistakes — we’re human. But we’re also transparent about those mistakes. When something doesn’t go as planned, we address it directly, communicate openly with parents, and fix it. We hold ourselves to the same growth mindset we encourage in our campers and staff.
Camp is, after all, a place to grow through mistakes — to learn resilience, empathy, and responsibility. We pride ourselves on our extremely strong safety and emergency procedures, but we’re equally proud of our willingness to keep learning, improving, and being honest every step of the way.
Looking Ahead
This fall and winter, we’ll be sharing a series of blog posts that go deeper into our emergency preparedness and safety systems — from barge and river protocols, our communication plan for families, emotional safety and well being, and beyond. We hope these posts give you not only peace of mind but also a clearer understanding of the care and attention behind every decision we make.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. Our team is always happy to talk, share details, and make sure you feel confident about your camper’s summer experience.
In Closing
Trust isn’t something we take for granted — it’s something we earn. Every plan, every procedure, and every person at Camp Alleghany is part of that promise. We’re profoundly grateful for the trust families place in us, and we’re committed to honoring it with care, professionalism, and heart.
If you’re considering Camp Alleghany for next summer, now is the perfect time to register or schedule a call with our team. Early registration helps us plan and prepare even more thoroughly — because your trust deserves nothing less.
