The Results Are In!

Camp is really good for kids!

Camp Illahee families participated in a Youth Outcomes Study conducted by Clemson University and sponsored by the NCYCA.  Illahee was one of nineteen private independent camps included and had the highest participation rate!  55% of our camp families took part in last summer’s survey. (The overall parent response was 24%). Thank you Illahee parents!  Your … Continued

Why Do We Have To Wait So Long ?

Lindsey and I traveled to our two largest camp towns, Atlanta and Charlotte, a few weeks ago.  We decided that early January is a great time for camp movies as we had 75 energetic camp girls at each show.  It’s fun to see junior counselors and older campers gather on the floor in a living … Continued

The 95th – Successful from Start to Finish!

Camp Illahee’s 95th season closed a month ago, and it’s a crisp 45 degrees this morning with Carolina Blue skies.  The summer opened with an alumnae reunion weekend.  150 Illahee women joined us from all over the country representing four generations of campers and counselors. We’ve posted some photos from the reunion. During camp we … Continued

It’s May, It’s May – The Glorious Month of May!

Cinco de Mayo has a special meaning at Camp Illahee!  It marks our official summer countdown and it is quite a fiesta around here!  Camp directors wear a variety of sombreros during the year and in May, it’s the paint, plant and clean hats.  The office becomes the supply zone.  We divide our days between … Continued

We Love Brevard!

Hiking and more in the Brevard area!

If you are coming to Illahee this summer for the Alumnae Reunion or to bring your daughter to camp, we encourage you to plan some time to enjoy the Brevard area.  Not only is this a super area for camp, but it’s a great spot to enjoy your own vacation!  Here are some activities and … Continued

Food, Glorious Food!

“Manners make a person nice to know.”  Or rather I should clarify that good manners make a person nice to know!  And at Illahee, one area that we practice kindness and putting others first -is in Tilley Lodge, our dining hall.  I figure that the community spends about three hours a day gathered in the … Continued

The Cabin is a Family

opening day cabin picture

Cabin life is a big part of the Camp Illahee experience.  We like to think of the cabin group as a “family at camp.”  When a camper arrives on opening day, Kris greets her at the gate with her cabin assignment. Girls are often full of emotion as they hop out of their car to … Continued

Homesick and Happy

letters rock!

Had someone told me that I would be a camp director, I never would have believed it.  I would have had difficulty imagining such an incredible job with its Peter Pan like existence. The counselors aren’t exactly the “lost boys,” but living for 25 years among college students and campers does lead to a prolonged … Continued

An Attitude of Gratitude

Camper thank you note

Yesterday I was opening the mail that had piled up last week while we were all away at the American Camp Association Conference in New Orleans.   I opened a hand drawn Illahee pine branch with Thank You on the front.  The letter from our 5th grade camper began,  Dear Camp Illahee Staff…..Thank you…. Every day at … Continued

The Illahee Waterfront – A Thriving Tradition

campers on waterfront learning new strokes

What do generations of Illahee girls have in common?  Swimming!  For decades, Illahee girls have taken swimming until they have completed Illahee’s Level Six (based on the American Red Cross program.) Swimming has been a required camp activity because it is one of the most important life skills to have.  Not only does it help … Continued