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Camp Merrie-Woode’s extraordinary
natural setting has inspired a lasting appreciation of God’s
creation in thousands of girls and young women since 1919. In
this friendly, non-competitive community of simplified living,
each individual is valued for who she is and who she will become.
Listed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, Merrie-Woode
is recognized for historical and architectural significance as a
historic district that has been preserved in its original Adirondack
style.
Founded
in 1919, Camp Merrie-Woode® was directed
nearly thirty years by Mrs. Jonathon C. Day, of New York
and Richmond. Dammie, as she was known by campers, was
born of British parents and established the old English traditions.
“I knew I wanted an imaginative and meaningful name,”
Dammie wrote, “and one night the name came so clearly to
me- Merrie-Woode for it is a merry wood and campers will always
make it so.” Dammie’s legacy of honor and appreciation
of simple living and acquiring “eyes that see” the beauty
of God’s world was emphasized in activities which taught
the importance of a life of service.
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Dammie
Day
& Mary Turk
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Fritz
and
Augusta Orr
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Fritz,
Jr., Dotty
and Augusta Orr
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Following
the 1951 season, the camp was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Orr
of Atlanta, who with their son Fritz, Jr. and his wife, Dottie,
operated Merrie-Woode until 1978. The Orrs were great outdoor
enthusiasts and were especially instrumental in building a strong
canoeing and wilderness program.
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Hugh
Caldwell
with camper
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The
Kramers
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Upon
the Orr's retirement in 1978, Hugh Caldwell, a University
of the South philosophy professor and Merrie-Woode staff member
since 1952, led alumnae to form the Merrie-Woode Foundation, a
non-profit corporation with the sole purpose of owning and operating
Camp Merrie-Woode®. Through the generous
support of the Merrie-Woode family, the Merrie-Woode Foundation
purchased the camp in December 1978. With the establishment of
the Merrie-Woode Foundation, the camp is now in effect owned and
operated by its former campers. Dr. Caldwell served as its first
director through 1985 and was followed by Art and Carolyn Kramer.
The Kramers were the directors from 1985 through 1989.
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The
Strayhorns
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From
1990- 2002, Laurie and Gordon Strayhorn served as the executive
Directors. The Strayhorns worked to maintain the historic architecture
during a period of extensive renovations to many of camps buildings
and cabins.
In
2003, Denice and Jim Dunn began their tenure as directors
of Camp Merrie-Woode®. The Dunn’s
work to continue the traditions founded by their predecessors.
Jim’s background is in education and Denice’s background
is in engineering, bringing a well rounded cadre of skills to
the foreground to continue Camp Merrie-Woode's success. The Dunns
maintain their home on the grounds of Camp Merrie-Woode®.
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