Playing Outside & Growing Inside Since 1935
Gwynn Valley is a co-ed residential summer camp located outside of Brevard, North Carolina. We offer farm agriculture, adventure wilderness and traditional camp programs that nurtures each camper while fostering a connection with the land and the simple joys of childhood. Gwynn Valley is a child-centered world where each camper learns and grows under the guidance of accepting and caring staff.
Gwynn Valley is located right outside Brevard, North Carolina on 400 acres just outside of Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Recreational Forest. On site we have a lake, waterfall, a farm, many hiking and biking trails and more beautiful sights to explore while guiding children.
About Gwynn Valley Camp
Our core values.
Since 1935, Gwynn Valley operates through the values of Simplicity, Acceptance, Appreciation of the Natural World, and a Non-Competitive program.
Our farm-to-fork program.
Learning about and participating in food production is an exciting part of our camp's culture. Campers have the option to visit our 25-acre farm during their session to harvest vegetables, collect eggs, feed baby cows, and meet baby chickens, pigs, and goats. We grow about 25,000 pounds of vegetables each summer, and 60% of the food (and 100% of the beef) served in our dining hall comes from the Gwynn Valley farm. After lunch, we get to shuck corn together and later that evening enjoy it at our dinner table. With so many fresh, local ingredients, it’s no wonder our kitchen is known for delicious, healthy, made-from-scratch meals!
Our commitment to environmental stewardship.
For decades, environmental stewardship has been a priority at Gwynn Valley. For instance, we:
- Grind corn and churn ice cream in our 1890’s water-powered grist mill - no electricity required!
- Minimize waste in our dining hall with table settings and recycle all of our paper, plastic, glass, and metal in the cabins and program areas.
- Use water-saving showerheads, low-flow toilets, and energy-saving lightbulbs. Our cabins are open air and screened in to enjoy natures sound machines at night.
- Heat over 70% of the camp’s hot water using wood-fired water boilers fueled by dead and down trees from our forest.
Choice-based, age-appropriate activities.
Giving children the freedom to explore their interests and choose their activities has always been a priority at Gwynn Valley. Campers select their multi-day morning activities upon arrival, and they choose their afternoon activities every day after lunch. Activities include but are not limited to; creek hiking, kayaking, candle making, weaving, play production, milling, pottery, climbing, archery, hiking, story telling, mountain biking and blacksmithing to name a few. Some activities are sorted by age so the level of challenge and intensity can be tailored to the group.
The Employee Experience
- Live, play, and work in the great outdoors
- Make a difference in the life of a child through facilitating and teaching interpersonal skills
- Live in and explore a beautiful part of Western North Carolina
- Make new friends from all over the world
- Bank more money than you think given the few expenses you have here at camp
- Develop life and career skills (leadership, collaborative skills, communication, public speaking, etc)
- Live the human powered existence where transportation is minimal
Ideal Candidate
We hire creative, fun, inspiring individuals who demonstrate a desire to work with children and who have strong character, leadership skills, and experience to teach in our program areas. Our counselors are at least 18 years old and most have finished their freshman year of college or equivalent.
Camp counseling is serious business and is only for those diligent people who can put the campers' needs before their own. Camp Counseling is hard work and can be one of the most difficult jobs you could undertake, but at the same time, it can also be the most fun and rewarding experience
Room and Board
Housing is provided for all staff working at camp. Cabin Staff live in cabins with kids and are responsible for their cabin group. Non-cabin staff live in side rooms, private rooms, or extra beds within the cabins
Employee Perks
Local discounts at small businesses
3 locally sourced meals a day
Bonus if able to work a full summer
Getting Here and Getting Around
Staff are encouraged to bring a personal vehicle if possible. For staff flying to camp we provide airport pickups in Charlotte and Asheville.
For Fun
We are located in Western North Carolina, a hub for outdoor recreation. Near camp we are nestled between Dupont State Recreational Forest and Pisgah National Forest which are national destinations for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and paddling. This area is home to amazing camping, local arts and music. Relax by one of the many swimming holes or waterfalls on your day off while enjoy Appalachian culture and cuisine.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, you can click APPLY HERE for a link to our staff application or send your resume to staffhiring@gwynnvalley.com
Contact Info
- Chris Tarpey
- staffhiring@gwynnvalley.com
- (828) 885-2900
- gwynnvalley.com
