Ghany Gatherings

What does a typical day at Camp Alleghany look like? And how do campers choose from all the fun activities we offer? In this episode of 'Ghany Gatherings, Elizabeth and Mary-Curtis are joined by Program Director Stephanie Albert for a closer look at Alleghany’s daily activity program! We’ll talk about how campers choose their activities, how they build skills and confidence throughout their sessio...

Three weeks of friendships, traditions, adventure, and growth! In this episode, we take a closer look at Term Camp, the heart of the Alleghany experience! From daily activities and tent life to special traditions and the friendships that make camp so meaningful, we share what makes our three-week sessions so special. Whether you're a first-time camp family wondering what to expect or a returning f...

What exactly is Mini Camp, and how do you know if it's the right fit for your daughter? In this episode of Ghany Gatherings, Elizabeth is joined by Mini Camp Director Maggie Meyer and Program Director Stephanie Albert to break down everything families need to know about this special one-week introduction to Camp Alleghany. From who Mini Camp is designed for to what a typical day looks like, they e...

What exactly is Mother-Daughter Weekend at Alleghany, and why is it such a special introduction to camp? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Mother-Daughter Weekend Co-Heads Ace and Mae Dandridge for a sweet conversation about camp, connection, and what families can expect from this unique weekend. You’ll get to know Ace and Mae a little better, hear about their own Alleghany journeys and th...

Three weeks can sound like a long time, especially when your child has never been away from home that long before. It’s one of the questions we hear most often from families: Why three weeks? Why not offer a shorter Term Camp option? In this episode, Elizabeth, Stephanie, and Mary-Curtis dig into the history behind Alleghany’s three-week terms and, more importantly, why we continue to believe so s...

Welcome to Season 2 of 'Ghany Gatherings! If you've ever wondered what makes Camp Alleghany different, this is the perfect place to begin. In this season opener, Director Elizabeth Shreckhise is joined by Program Director Stephanie Albert and Office Manager Mary-Curtis Powell to answer one of the biggest questions we hear from prospective families: What is Camp Alleghany? Together, we explore the...

What happens when a family who never imagined themselves as "camp people" wins a Family Camp stay at an auction? For the Poe family, it changed everything. In this heartfelt conversation recorded during Family Camp, Dod, Katie, and their oldest daughter, Coleman, share how one unexpected auction prize introduced their family to Camp Alleghany and set them on a journey they never saw coming. What b...

Long before they became the ladies of Tent 15, these four women were Camp Alleghany campers, counselors, and lifelong alumnae. Then, more than twenty years ago, they found themselves sharing Tent 15 during Family Camp. What began as a simple tent assignment quickly became an annual tradition and a friendship that has only deepened over the years. In this heartwarming conversation, they reflect on...

Camp isn't always easy. In this candid and surprisingly funny conversation, five young Camp Alleghany alumnae share stories they've never told quite like this before. They reflect on moments when they questioned whether camp was still the right place for them. Some got into trouble. One was even let go as a counselor. Others struggled through difficult transitions, faced summers when close friends...

This week, Elizabeth sits down with two remarkable Camp Alleghany Head Counselors, Lilly and Sammy G., for a conversation about leadership, growth, and one unforgettable summer. Together, they reflect on favorite memories, funny moments, and the challenges that shaped them throughout Summer 2026. They also share how they've grown as leaders, what they've learned about themselves, and the lessons t...

The campers have gone home, the tents are packed, the dining hall is quiet once again... and it's time for one last gathering. Join Elizabeth, Stephanie, Amy, and Mary-Curtis as they look back on an unforgettable Summer 2026 at Camp Alleghany. Together, they share favorite memories, funny moments, unexpected challenges, and the growth they experienced throughout the season. They also take you behi...

What does it really mean to be a Ghany Girl? Join this year's Blue/Gray Captains as they share their favorite camp traditions, what they've learned through leadership, the friendships that keep them coming back each summer, and why Camp Alleghany has become such a special part of their lives. Recorded on the last afternoon of the summer, just before the 2026 Blue/Gray winner was announced, this co...

What is it really like to be an LIT at Camp Alleghany? Hear it straight from the source! Four of our incredible Leaders-in-Training join us to share their experiences in their own words. From the backpacking trip and lifeguard training to leadership lessons, lifelong friendships, and plenty of laughter, they talk candidly about what challenged them, what surprised them, and what they'll take home...

We're halfway through the summer, so what better time to check in with two of our counselors? One is spending her very first summer at Camp Alleghany after traveling from England, while the other grew up as a camper before returning as a counselor. Together they share favorite moments, surprising lessons, the joy of Camper Council, and what it's really like to experience camp through a counselor's...

Four Alleghany moms (three of whom have only boys!) sit down for a heartfelt conversation about what it's been like watching their sons fall in love with Camp Greenbrier. From lifelong friendships and unforgettable traditions to resilience, independence, and the surprising emotional depth of the camp experience, we reflect on what it means to raise camp boys while spending our own summers creating...

This week on Ghany Gatherings, we're taking you behind the scenes of one of the most transformative experiences in our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program: the wilderness backpacking trip. Elizabeth sits down with 2026 Head of LIT Daisy Scott and Leadership Program Director Amy Wilson to talk about everything from the day-to-day adventure and challenges to the incredible growth they witnessed along...

A Day in the Life of Camp Alleghany's Operations Coordinator Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to keep Camp Alleghany running each day? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Operations Coordinator Katie to talk about her camp journey, how she found herself in one of the most unique jobs at camp, and what a typical day actually looks like. From coordinating the Green Team an...

Six days may not seem like enough time to change a child, but at Alleghany, we know just how much can happen in less than a week. In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Mini Camp Director Maggie Meyer and Office Manager (and Mini Camp mom!) Mary-Curtis Powell to reflect on an unforgettable week at camp. Together, they share favorite moments, funny stories (including our new Perry Weather statio...

Closing Day is almost here! In this episode, Elizabeth, Stephanie, and Mary-Curtis walk families through everything they need to know to make Closing Day go smoothly. From parking lot and pick-up logistics to bus rider procedures, what to bring (don't forget your photo ID!), and what to expect when you arrive, we'll help you feel prepared for the day ahead. We also spend some time talking about th...

You're almost here! In this special bonus episode, Elizabeth is joined by Mary-Curtis and Laura for a quick Opening Day checklist designed for families on their way to camp. Think of this episode as a companion to our original Opening Day podcast—not a substitute. If you're looking for detailed explanations and a deeper dive into Opening Day logistics, we encourage you to listen to that episode as...

Meet the incredible women leading camp this summer! In this special episode, Amy, Stephanie, and Elizabeth sit down with our 2026 Head Counselors to learn more about their camp journeys, the experiences that shaped them, and what they're most excited about for the summer ahead. From favorite camp memories and lessons learned to the moments and people who helped make them who they are today, you'll...

The 2026 camp season is officially underway, and we thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain and give you a glimpse into life behind the scenes during our first week at Camp Alleghany! Join Elizabeth, Stephanie, Amy, and Mary-Curtis for a casual, laughter-filled conversation recorded together in the same room (a rare treat for us!). We share who is already here at camp, what we've been wor...

What do all the colors at Camp Alleghany mean? In this fun and informative episode, we take a closer look at the many colors that are woven throughout the Alleghany experience. From age groups and counselor color groups to Blue and Gray team colors, Blues & Whites, and some of the traditions that make camp so special, we're breaking down what it all means and why these traditions continue to m...

Opening Day is one of the most exciting days of the summer, but we know it can also bring a lot of questions, especially for families who are new to Alleghany. In this episode, Elizabeth, Stephanie, and Mary-Curtis walk through Opening Day step by step so families know exactly what to expect when they arrive at camp. From timing and check-in to luggage, goodbyes, forms, medications, and the flow o...

This episode is a special one. A few weeks ago, you heard from my dear friends in the camp world on Ghany Gatherings (Episode 11). Now, I’m excited to share something new. The four of us have launched our own podcast, The Camp Mastermind Podcast, and I’m featuring our very first episode here: Why Summer Camp? In this conversation, we speak from a deep and meaningful place about why summer camp is...