The Merrie-Woode Values: Simplified Living

Simplified Living: We believe in making do with less in a rustic and low-tech environment.

Merrie-Woode is synonymous with rustic beauty and simplified living. From our bark-shingled cabins and historic Dining Hall to the well-worn footpaths beneath towering trees, much of Camp looks the same as it did generations ago. We paddle wooden canoes, swim in the lake, gather around campfires, and enjoy meals at tables that have been used and loved for decades.

Our open-air cabins are about as simple a living space as you can find. With screened windows, rolled canvas curtains, and wooden bunks, campers fall asleep to the sounds of crickets and bullfrogs and wake up to cool mountain breezes. Without air conditioning, phones, or electronic entertainment, girls quickly learn that happiness can come from much simpler things.

Free time at Camp looks different than it does at home. Campers play cards, make friendship bracelets, write letters, practice guitar, choreograph dances, and dream up games with their friends. With fewer distractions, they have the freedom to use their imaginations, express their creativity, and build meaningful friendships.

We often say that the Merrie-Woode experience is timeless. Campers today enjoy many of the same traditions and activities that campers enjoyed generations ago. Our uniforms have changed very little since 1919, and our commitment to being unplugged remains just as strong. By removing the focus from technology, fashion, and social media, girls have the opportunity to be known for who they truly are and what they uniquely bring to the Camp community.

In today's world, that opportunity is more important than ever. Social media and constant connectivity can make it easy for young people to compare themselves to others and focus on what they don't have instead of appreciating what they do. At Camp, girls spend their days interacting face-to-face, solving problems together, and building relationships in a genuine way. They are valued for their kindness, humor, leadership, and character rather than likes, follows, or comments.

The atmosphere of simplified living also encourages campers to slow down and be present. Surrounded by the natural world, they notice the bees, butterflies, trees, wildflowers, and even the gathering clouds of a summer storm. They hear tumbling waterfalls and singing birds instead of notifications and alerts. They enjoy the warmth of the sun, the evening light on Old Bald, and the stars overhead. Simplicity frees us from distractions, comparison, and the feeling that we always need more. Instead, it teaches gratitude for what is right in front of us.

One of our favorite Chapel songs is "Simple Gifts". The first verse perfectly captures the freedom of simplified living that we hope to share with our campers every summer: