June 4th

Merrie-Woode's 108th summer has begun! Opening Day can feel like a whirlwind, and our June session campers embraced every moment with joy and excitement! It was an amazing start to our summer, full of smiling faces, eager anticipation, and the sparks of unforgettable experiences. Campers had a jam-packed schedule, including activity sign-ups and swim evaluations, and they dove right in (literally and figuratively!). We wrapped up our first day together by gathering for our Opening Campfire, a special time filled with songs, laughter, and reflections on the spirit of Merrie-Woode. 

Friendship: We believe in the lifelong friendships formed at Camp, built through shared adventures and traditions that stay with campers for years to come. We wanted to begin our values blog with one of the most cherished things we gain at Camp: friendship. Above all the adventures, traditions, and activities that campers experience at Merrie-Woode, it is the deep connections formed here that keep them coming back year after year. From campers to staff, these meaningful connections grow stronger each summer, creating a sense of belonging that feels like home. Our Summer 2026 staff has started arriving for Pre-Orientation this past week! Seeing new and returning staff connect and fo ster an atmosphere of warmth and excitement is a meaningful reminder of what makes Camp so special. On Opening Day, we frequently see campers shouting with joy as they hug their friends again after a year apart—and we see that same excitement when counselors arrive for Orientati on and reunite with one another. From the moment a girl arrives at Merrie-Woode, so much of what we do centers on connecting with others and forming friendships. Each morning at the end of Castle, as the campers are heading to their activities, we sing: Make new friends, but keep the old, One is silver, and the other’s gold. A circle is round, it never ends, That’s how long I want to be your friend.