#Gravattfamily

By Wythe Hunnicutt, 2016 Head Female Counselor

WYTHE AND HER BROTHER, PHELPS

 “This year will be big! Your little brother is officially part of the Gravatt staff family!” At least that is what I keep telling myself. But what dawned on me recently is that my brother is already a part of my Gravatt family.His joining me for a whole summer is just the same as any other person. And it is not because I do not love my brother. I do. But rather it is because this year does not mark the beginning of his spot in the family but rather his eleventh year. We have been siblings times two since the first time he attended camp. And the same goes for every child that spends time here in the woods. Because Gravatt is a family.

When a child attends camp, they gain something more than a week of fun; they gain a thousand plus siblings. You will have an undeniable family whether you spend one week here or twenty years.

PART OF THE 2015 GIRLS STAFF

When I moved to college and went through sorority recruitment, my go-to line was “I’m a summer camp counselor!” And excitedly one girl exclaimed, “No way, I went there!” We had never met before, and it had been years since she had been to Gravatt, but in that instant, I knew there was somebody there for me. As a member of the Gravatt family, you always have someone by your side. We are there to support each other, love each other, celebrate the new arrivals and rejoice in the lives of the alumni. Every friend of Gravatt, no matter their involvement, is a beloved family member. 

It is this natural family that impacts a child. The amount of care and support that is given and received in this place is life changing. To be able to meet a fellow friend of Gravatt and just know they are family is incredible. There is no real way to explain this family without feeling it yourself. Your heart expands each time you meet a member of the Gravatt family, and it is the best gift you could receive. 

And because of this heartwarming, always supportive and ever-growing family, I say to everyone that they should come to Camp Gravatt. I have friends who have recently joined the family, and I could feel the bond growing stronger because I knew they understood me. Going to Gravatt is not just about an adventure outdoors. It is about the experience, the people you meet, the friends you make, and the family you grow to love. So to you I say, go to camp, let it impact you as it has impacted me, become a part of my extended family.