Keystone Camp is steeped in history and tradition. Any camper could tell you countless tales of the legendary Green Gertie, the storied pursuit of a Silver KC, or the emotional scenes of a final campfire. And yet, even after over 100 years, Keystone Camp continues to create new traditions.
Each summer, campers have the opportunity to sign up for a wide variety of trips that take them outside of Keystone’s gates. Trips have included journeying out of state to canoe the scenic waters of Lake Jocassee in South Carolina and to raft the rapids of the Pigeon River in Tennessee. Campers have explored the backcountry of Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests on one- or two-night backpacking trips, building fires to cook s’mores and sleeping under a sky full of stars. For our girls who like a little more adrenaline, we have gone rock climbing at towering Looking Glass Rock and whitewater kayaking on the rowdy Tuckasegee River. In search of something to do for just an afternoon? Our girls race to sign up for swimming trips, watercolor painting with an inspiring view, or even to enjoy tasting an array of pickles on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This past summer I was in the wonderful position of being able to go on many of these trips. I am grateful for the experiences and insights that venturing into the natural world with Keystone campers gave me. One of these insights is that not everything will go according to plan, but your mindset is what matters.
While canoeing on Lake Jocassee in July with a group of Dryads (our oldest campers) and another counselor, the water glistened in the sunlight and the summer heat warmed our tired arms as we paddled to our campsite for the night. It was a perfect day. We pulled up to the shore, tied off our boats, and disembarked to unload our gear. After setting up camp, the other counselor and I went a safe distance away from our tents and hammocks to start preparing dinner. We had planned a delicious warm meal of stir-fried vegetables, summer sausage, and rice. Just as the food was ready to be served though, a storm blew up out of nowhere. An absolutely torrential downpour washed over us, immediately soaking us and our dinner.
The campers ran for cover, leaving us counselors rushing to somehow protect the food. We stuck the bowls of rice and veggies under a nearby picnic table, hoping to keep our hard-earned meal from becoming rice soup, but to no avail. The girls eventually returned after realizing that it was too late to save themselves from being drenched. We all slurped waterlogged rice and veggies while shivering under the insufficient cover of tree branches. After about 20 minutes, the rain lightened up considerably. Although the sky was beginning to show signs of blue through the rain clouds, I was worried that the girls would consider this trip a failure. But just as I started to feel down, they suggested that, since we were all waterlogged already, we might as well take a swim in the gorgeous lake right at our fingertips. The other counselor, a lifeguard, kept watch as the rest of us leapt into the clear, rippling water. The girls had huge grins on their faces as they swam and joked and laughed. I smiled too, because I should have known that Keystone girls wouldn’t let a little rain ruin their fun.
When I reflect on the trips I took with Keystone campers last summer, there are countless examples of our girls exemplifying positivity, community, courage, and compassion for others as well as themselves. On trips, campers grow, explore, challenge themselves, and make memories to last a lifetime. I think it is important to lean into and celebrate the impact that our trips program has on the greater camp community.
Over time, campers have become accustomed to certain trips happening every summer. Although we continually strive to provide as much variety as possible in our trip programming, we also want to replay the “Greatest Hits” of our trips over and over again, because they are just too good to skip! While considering the positive impact of trips on our campers as well as Keystone’s rich history, it seems only natural to repeat these trips and officially incorporate them into the lore of Keystone Camp.
This summer, we aim to further the natural progression of our trip programming and create new traditions to add to our story. We will be leaning into the lore that has already been established as well as adding some fun surprises to make our trips fresh and exciting (including souvenirs and a new Camp Crafts room!). We cannot wait for our campers to make their own mark on the trip lore at Keystone this summer!
