Letters from Camp

A camper in a pink Illahee t-shirt sits Indian-style on her top bunk writing a letter home.

A highlight of the camp day is when the CIT’s finish sorting the mail and stuffing it into the boxes by the dining hall.  Campers gather around looking for their letters and cards and then sit along the wall reading.  If someone’s box is empty one day, that’s okay. Her friend will share her letter.  … Continued

A Snowy Scene at Camp!

Greetings from the Heavenly World!  And we are blanketed in a heavenly snow!  Our local weatherman had predicted snow to the south of our mountains so when we looked out of the Curtis office yesterday around 10:00 we were pleasantly surprised to see the flakes coming down.  It snowed steadily until dark leaving about a … Continued

Remembering Skip and Dolly

Dolly Thomas and Erika Kluth pose for the camera.

Camp legend and long time friend, Dolly Thomas passed away on December 21st in her home at College Walk in Brevard. Her memorial service will be held in Brevard on Saturday, January 11th. Generations of Illahee girls remember Skip and Dolly fondly from their leadership of the riflery program at camp.  From Long Island, NY, … Continued

We Love this Time of Year!

Summer staffer Becca V hugs Laurie on a recent visit.

We love this time of year!  Each day our mail carrier, Brandy, brings in holiday cards and greetings from camp families.  Laurie, Gretchen, and Kris are on the phone catching up with counselors and Junior counselors who are fresh off of the exam trail. Laurie even caught up with Becca for lunch on her way … Continued

A Season of Thanksgiving!

Laurie Strayhorn and two staff members in Charleston pose.

We woke up on this day before Thanksgiving to snowflakes coming down in camp!  After yesterday’s steady downpour, the fresh falling snow is a welcome change and a harbinger of the holiday season.  Kris will be heading south to Atlanta and Dave will be heading north to Ohio this afternoon to meet their families for … Continued

Welcome to Fall!

Two yellow labrador retrievers, Liza and Newton pose for the camera.

It has been 6 weeks since the 93rd season “wrapped” at Illahee.  Leaves are fluttering down from the trees marking the transition into fall.  We have pulled out our fleece jackets and the leaf blowers!  It has been an exciting month with the debut of our online camper registration.  By the end of September, all … Continued

Summer Updates

Horse and camper exhibit perfect form as she jumps a beautiful Palomino over a rail.

Junior Session Parents! Looking for the nightly updates? You must be logged in to read them and to see photos. Email camp if you need your login information.

Orientation Begins!

Camp Illahee counselors holding hands during orientation, keeping a yellow balloon in the air.

The beginning of orientation is always the culmination of a tremendous amount of planning, and feels a little like Christmas for us year rounders at Illahee. The guys have put the finishing touches on the facility and it sparkles and shines…Gretchen and Laurie eagerly anticipate the arrival of all of the GREAT Illahee girls they … Continued

Summer is Here!

I have the best view outside of my office window.  The rhododendron trees next to the dining hall are in full bloom and the cinnamon fern are growing up around them.  They definitely announce the arrival of summer.  It would be peaceful except for the pressure washing that is taking place next to the dining … Continued