Going Going Gone Green

"Going green” is something that we have all heard, but what does it mean for your camp? Here are a few simple questions that can get your camp moving in the green direction…

First, does your camp have a 'green team'? Does your team include campers, counselors, program staff, or administrative staff?

Electricity
Were you raised in a barn?! Close the door and turn off the lights when you leave a building. Sounds simple, but it adds up. Try adding signage to remind campers and staff to turn off the lights.
• Are campers accountable for turning off the lights when cabins are not in use?
• Is there signage to remind people to turn off lights?
• Does your camp use CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs)?
• Do you regulate thermostat settings in all camp buildings?

Recycling/Composting
In case you haven’t heard, everything at camp is a competition. Start a zero food waste challenge between cabins or units to reduce the waste at camp.
• Does your camp have a recycling program?
• Does your camp have a composting program?
• Does your camp have a food waste program?

Water
Camps use a large amount of water but… that doesn't mean that you can't reduce water waste!) Low-flow showerheads and toilets can significantly reduce the amount of water used.
• Does your camp have auto on/off devices for faucets?
• Does your camp have low-flow toilets?
• Does your camp use low-flow showerheads?
• Does your collect rain water?
• Does your camp remind campers to turn off the water when they brush their teeth?
• Do you time campers' showers?
• Do you use waterless urinals or composting toilets?
• Could you use rooftop solar water heaters for the cabins?

Rooftop solar water heaters

In the Office
Is your registration process paperless? Save paper and filing time by moving towards electronic registration.
Are your parent/camper handbooks online?

Chances are good that you are already practicing many of these ideas. What’s your next step? Share with us in the comments below!

Gwynn Valley Camp: Sustainability at its Finest

Gwynn Valley Camp is located just south of Brevard, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  As the camp is renowned for its sustainability efforts, I was eager to see their green initiatives in action!  Anne and Grant Bullard, the two camp directors of Gwynn Valley, were kind enough to show me around the camp last week.  Anne and Grant have a strong passion for the outdoors, as well as for the intellectual growth of children, and these passions are evident throughout Gwynn Valley.  The rest of the staff comes from around the world – which makes for a diverse, inspiring atmosphere for the kids as they learn to develop appreciation for others as well as themselves.

Gwynn Valley's water mill supplies power all throughout camp.

The most visible sustainable initiative at Gwynn Valley is their historic water mill, which supplies energy to the camp.  Built in 1890, the mill is situated on the edge of a lake where a mountainside creek meets the lake.  The water running down from the mountains generates hydropower that is delivered to many of the camp buildings.

Four wood burners provide the camp with even more renewable energy.  The enticing scent of burning hickory and oak permeated the air throughout the camp – just an added bonus for being green!  Gwynn Valley uses these wood burners to heat up to 70% of their water.

Food production at Gwynn Valley Camp is also highly sustainable.  I was surprised to learn that Gwynn Valley grows up to 70% of their food on-site, including beef and eggs!  There is also a food mill that campers can use to grind corn into cornmeal – and better yet, to churn their own ice cream… YUM.  Currently Anne and Grant are searching for a solution for food waste disposal; they are exploring the option of using Black Soldier Fly Larvae to speed the food decomposition process – and afterwards, the nutrient-rich larvae can become a healthy meal for Gwynn Valley’s chickens.

Thoughtful design solutions, like the ones described above, were all throughout camp.  The walls of the horse barn were even designed to collapse to create winter storage areas for bikes and kayaks – simple, but clever.  And how could I forget the lightning detector?  Grant and Anne decided to invest in a lightning detector as a safety measure; this device can send a signal to the camp staff that alerts them when it is unsafe for outdoor activities.

The stable walls collapse,
enabling more storage.

My first visit was a success!
Thank you, Gwynn Valley!

Gwynn Valley Camp is clearly a place where the three pillars of sustainability (people, environment, and economy) come together. The camp offers a rewarding social experience for campers, earth-friendly initiatives that respect nature, and efficient practices that save time and money for the camp.  Learn more about Gwynn Valley Camp by visiting their website here!

- The Girl with the Red Umbrella