The Merrie-Woode Values: Integrity

Integrity: We believe in honesty and fair play, fostering a community where everyone is encouraged to do what is right, support one another, and approach challenges with integrity and respect. 

One of the special things about Merrie-Woode is that campers have the opportunity to discover who they are and who they want to be. As they meet new cabin mates, try new activities, and build friendships, they begin to think about how they want to be known by others. Every day is filled with choices, both big and small, and over time those choices help shape their character.

Our character is often reflected in the things we value. Campers who value kindness make an effort to include others, offer encouragement, and treat their friends with respect. Campers who value perseverance keep working through a challenge, whether they're trying to pass a new level in an activity or learning a difficult skill for the first time. At camp, girls have countless opportunities to practice these values each day.

One of the character traits we value most at Merrie-Woode is integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. It means being honest, taking responsibility for your actions, and treating others fairly. A community built on integrity is a community built on trust, and trust is at the heart of so much of what makes Camp special.

Cabin life provides plenty of opportunities to put integrity into practice. Each morning, campers work together to clean their cabins before inspection. Everyone has a role to play, whether it's sweeping the floor, taking out the trash, making beds, or turning off the light before heading out for the day. Sometimes it's tempting to rush off to the swings or a game of tetherball, but learning to follow through on responsibilities, even when something more fun is waiting, is an important part of growing up.

Integrity also allows us to live together in a community where people trust and respect one another. Campers know that they can leave their belongings in their cabins, borrow something only after asking, and trust their friends to be honest with them. More often than not, a missing item simply turns up in Lost & Found, right where it belongs.

When a community values integrity, everyone benefits. Campers can trust their friends, rely on their cabin mates, and support one another as they grow through activities and challenges. Whether it's honestly acknowledging a skill that still needs work or following through on a commitment to a team, integrity helps create the strong sense of trust and respect that has always been a part of Merrie-Woode.

As we enter the final week of Main Session, we get to watch our campers truly come into themselves. Whether they're working hard to reach a goal they've been chasing all session, stepping into a leadership role, strengthening a friendship, or simply soaking up every second they have left under Old Bald, there is so much growth happening all around us. Through it all, integrity remains at the heart of the Merrie-Woode experience, helping create the trust, responsibility, and respect that make this community so special. These are the lessons campers carry with them long after summer ends.