Ghany Gatherings

What exactly is Mother-Daughter Weekend at Alleghany, and why is it such a special introduction to camp?

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Mother-Daughter Weekend Co-Heads Ace and Mae Dandridge for a sweet conversation about camp, connection, and what families can expect from this unique weekend.

You’ll get to know Ace and Mae a little better, hear about their own Alleghany journeys and the passion they bring to camp, and learn more about why Mother-Daughter Weekend exists in the first place.

We talk about who the weekend is designed for, what the experience actually looks like, how mothers and daughters participate together, and why MDW can be such a meaningful first step into the Alleghany community.

Whether you’re already registered, considering Mother-Daughter Weekend for the first time, or simply curious about how this program fits into the larger Alleghany experience, this episode offers a warm, behind-the-scenes look at one of our favorite ways to welcome new families to camp.

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Three weeks can sound like a long time, especially when your child has never been away from home that long before. It’s one of the questions we hear most often from families: Why three weeks? Why not offer a shorter Term Camp option?

In this episode, Elizabeth, Stephanie, and Mary-Curtis dig into the history behind Alleghany’s three-week terms and, more importantly, why we continue to believe so strongly in them today.

We talk about the natural arc of a three-week camp experience, from finding your footing in Week One, to settling fully into camp life in Week Two, to the growth, accomplishments, traditions, and friendships that come together in Week Three. We also share stories of campers who needed that extra time to move through homesickness, discover what they loved, build confidence, and truly see what they were capable of.

Could meaningful camp experiences happen in less time? Of course. But at Alleghany, we believe that the kind of growth we hope to inspire takes time. Three weeks gives girls the space to move beyond simply trying something and begin developing skills, deeper friendships, independence, resilience, and a genuine sense of belonging.

We also talk candidly about one of the biggest concerns we hear from parents: “I’m not ready to be away from her for three weeks.” How do we separate our own feelings about the separation from our daughter’s readiness, and how can parents help set a camper up for success?

In a world that increasingly offers instant everything, some things simply cannot be rushed. Growth is one of them.

Join us for a conversation about why three weeks isn’t just the length of an Alleghany term. It’s an intentional part of the experience.

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Why Three Weeks Matters

Podcast Episodes:

Blue and Gray and Everything In Between

Inside the LIT Experience 

Handling the What-Ifs 

Setting Your Camper Up For Success 

Emotionally Preparing as a Parent

Welcome to Season 2 of 'Ghany Gatherings!

If you've ever wondered what makes Camp Alleghany different, this is the perfect place to begin.

In this season opener, Director Elizabeth Shreckhise is joined by Program Director Stephanie Albert and Office Manager Mary-Curtis Powell to answer one of the biggest questions we hear from prospective families: What is Camp Alleghany?

Together, we explore the mission, philosophy, traditions, and values that have shaped Alleghany for more than 100 years. We talk about who thrives here, why some of our founding principles remain just as important today as they were in 1922, and what we hope every camper takes home long after summer ends.

Whether you're considering camp for the first time, preparing for another summer, or simply curious about what makes Alleghany such a special place, this episode is the foundation for everything we'll explore throughout Season 2.

Welcome to Camp Alleghany. We're so glad you're here.

Alleghany's History

What happens when a family who never imagined themselves as "camp people" wins a Family Camp stay at an auction?

For the Poe family, it changed everything.

In this heartfelt conversation recorded during Family Camp, Dod, Katie, and their oldest daughter, Coleman, share how one unexpected auction prize introduced their family to Camp Alleghany and set them on a journey they never saw coming. What began as plans to attend Family Camp quickly changed when Coleman declared she wanted to be a "real camper." She attended Mini Camp that very summer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Together, they reflect on their family's Alleghany journey, from Family Camp to Term Camp, watching both daughters grow through the camp experience, and the friendships, traditions, and sense of belonging that have kept them coming back year after year. Hearing the story through the eyes of a father, a mother, and a daughter offers a unique glimpse into the lasting impact camp can have, not just on a child, but on an entire family.

Whether you're curious about Family Camp, considering Camp Alleghany for the first time, or simply enjoy hearing authentic camp stories, this episode is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the experiences that change our lives begin in the most unexpected ways.

Long before they became the ladies of Tent 15, these four women were Camp Alleghany campers, counselors, and lifelong alumnae. Then, more than twenty years ago, they found themselves sharing Tent 15 during Family Camp. What began as a simple tent assignment quickly became an annual tradition and a friendship that has only deepened over the years.

In this heartwarming conversation, they reflect on their individual Alleghany journeys, the lessons camp has carried into every stage of their lives, and why Family Camp continues to bring them back summer after summer. They also share the story behind Tent 15 and how one week each year has become a treasured tradition of laughter, friendship, and reconnecting with a place that has shaped them all.

Whether you're a longtime alumna, a current camp family, or simply someone who believes in the power of lifelong friendships, this episode is a beautiful reminder that while summers may come and go, the relationships built at Alleghany have a way of lasting a lifetime.

Camp isn't always easy.

In this candid and surprisingly funny conversation, five young Camp Alleghany alumnae share stories they've never told quite like this before. They reflect on moments when they questioned whether camp was still the right place for them. Some got into trouble. One was even let go as a counselor. Others struggled through difficult transitions, faced summers when close friends didn't return, or simply wondered if their time at Alleghany had come to an end.

They jokingly refer to these stories as their "redemption arcs," but underneath the laughter is something much deeper.

Each of these women chose to come back.

Together, they talk about second chances, personal growth, the relationships that carried them through challenging seasons, and why they continued returning to Alleghany year after year. They also reflect on the unforgettable flood summer and why, despite everything, they couldn't imagine staying away.

This episode is honest, vulnerable, and full of laughter. More than anything, it's a reminder that growth isn't about never making mistakes. It's about learning from them, finding people who believe in you, and discovering that one difficult season doesn't have to define your story.

Whether you're a current camper, counselor, alumna, or parent, this conversation is one of the most authentic we've ever recorded.

www.campalleghanyforgirls.com

This week, Elizabeth sits down with two remarkable Camp Alleghany Head Counselors, Lilly and Sammy G., for a conversation about leadership, growth, and one unforgettable summer.

Together, they reflect on favorite memories, funny moments, and the challenges that shaped them throughout Summer 2026. They also share how they've grown as leaders, what they've learned about themselves, and the lessons they'll carry from camp into life beyond the Greenbrier River.

Whether you're a current camp family, an alumna, or simply interested in how meaningful leadership develops, this conversation offers an honest and inspiring look at what it means to lead with courage, humility, and heart.

It's a beautiful reminder that while campers grow every summer, our counselors do too.

The campers have gone home, the tents are packed, the dining hall is quiet once again... and it's time for one last gathering.

Join Elizabeth, Stephanie, Amy, and Mary-Curtis as they look back on an unforgettable Summer 2026 at Camp Alleghany. Together, they share favorite memories, funny moments, unexpected challenges, and the growth they experienced throughout the season. They also take you behind the scenes of what really happens after camp ends, from packing up an entire summer to beginning preparations for the next one.

Whether you spent this summer at Alleghany or simply love hearing what camp is really like behind the scenes, this episode is a heartfelt and candid conversation about the people, the memories, and the mission that make Camp Alleghany so special.

Thank you for gathering with us all summer long. We'll see you in Season 2!

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What does it really mean to be a Ghany Girl? Join this year's Blue/Gray Captains as they share their favorite camp traditions, what they've learned through leadership, the friendships that keep them coming back each summer, and why Camp Alleghany has become such a special part of their lives. Recorded on the last afternoon of the summer, just before the 2026 Blue/Gray winner was announced, this conversation captures all the excitement, anticipation, and camp spirit that make the final days of term so unforgettable.

Blue/Gray Competition

What is it really like to be an LIT at Camp Alleghany? Hear it straight from the source! Four of our incredible Leaders-in-Training join us to share their experiences in their own words. From the backpacking trip and lifeguard training to leadership lessons, lifelong friendships, and plenty of laughter, they talk candidly about what challenged them, what surprised them, and what they'll take home with them after six unforgettable weeks. If you're curious about the LIT program or wondering whether it's worth the leap, you won't want to miss this fun, heartfelt conversation.

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