Board Members & FAQโ€™s

Camp Carysbrook Alumnae Association FAQs

The Camp Carysbrook Alumnae Association is invested in building a bridge between past and present campers and staff.

Join to be a member and reach out to carysbrookalumnae@gmail.com to find out how you might contribute your time and talents and what the CCAA needs!

100% of funds collected from membership dues, fundraisers, and the donations to the American Camp Association tax-exempt fund go to funding CCAA sponsored scholarships to send a camper to camp.

Alumnae reunions are generally every five years. The next one will be in 2028. Any proceeds from these events will be donated to the CCAA scholarship fund.

The CCAA Scholarship Fund exists to ensure that more girls have the opportunity to experience Carysbrook regardless of economic, racial, geographic, religious, ethnic or social background.

In line with the ACA, the mission statement represents the objective of the scholarship fund. By expanding the demographics of campers attending Camp Carysbrook these girls contribute to the holistic experience of camp. Whether this diversity comes from socioeconomic, racial, or cultural backgrounds, all campers will benefit from experiencing Camp Carysbrook with girls from all walks of life. Allowing campers to attend Carysbrook whose families may not have the means, or who may not have been exposed to the camp experience, extends the reach of the magic of camp with the help of those who have lived it. The CCAA is made up of women who were once campers or staff, and our dedication to the next generation of campers is essential in continuing the legacy of Camp Carysbrook.

  • Camper exhibits financial need.
  • Camper is self-motivated and wants to participate under the guidelines of Camp Carysbrook.
  • Camper is 6 to 16 years old.
  • Camper is ready to sleep away from home.
  • Camper has no history of behavioral problems that have resulted in removal from school or another camp.
  • Camper does not have missing credits that require her to be in summer school.
  • Camperโ€™s family or guardian supports their attendance at Carysbrook.
  • The amount given toward the participation of any scholarship camper shall not exceed the amount of tuition and airfare minus the amount the family is able to pay and any amount gleaned from participantโ€™s own fundraising efforts.

Alum may apply for the scholarship however cannot be a Board member participating in deliberations to prevent a conflict of interest.

We have a wide-range of campers and staff from the 1960โ€™s until just last summer in the CCAA! Camp Carysbrook 1923 til forever!

Of course! Simply decide how you would like to renew, either through the tax-deductible ACA fund or by sending a check to the Camp Carysbrook Alumnae Association and send to 3500 Camp Carysbrook Rd. Riner, VA 24149. The CCAA and Camp Carysbrook track CCAA financials on a monthly basis.

No but members do get the Camp Carysbrook newsletter with important news and discounts on admission to events! We invite all alum 18+ to join the CCAA but it is not required. See also the benefits of membership below.

As a member of the CCAA you will receive the monthly camp newsletter to stay up to date on camp news, reminders about upcoming events, discounts on events, opportunities for conversations from cultural questions to planning reunions, mailings, and a network of Carysbrook women from a range of decades at the ready.

We have partnered with the American Camping Association to establish a means of raising tax-deductible funds for camper scholarships to Carysbrook. Check out the details under Donate in the Alumnae menu on the website!

Refer to Join the Alumnae Association for more info!

Camp Carysbrook Alumnae Association Board

The members of the Camp Carysbrook Alumnae Association nominate and elect board members and approve new positions and initiatives to carry out the mission of the organization.

  • Bethany Blair Champ, Co-President (1981-87 // Green)
  • Jen Mehler Rardin, Co-President (1981 – 91 // Brown)
  • Gardner Allen, Development (2004-9, 2013 // Green, Purple)

Please contact carysbrookalumnae@gmail.com for more info or if you are interested in offering your ideas, talents, time, or services to the Board.

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Memories and Reflections of Campย Carysbrook

โ€œCamp impacted me by helping with my confidence, gaining new friends and creating memories for the campers that will last a lifetime is something I will never forget.โ€
First-time international staff member
โ€œI believe that I gained professionally in the aspects of communication and collaboration with others, particularly those who I hadnโ€™t met! Personally I know that iโ€™ve grown more confident in myself, which will hopefully impact positively further in my life.โ€
First-time international staff member
โ€œI got a lot better with my leadership skills and was able to learn a lot about myself, how I work best and grow in my professional skills.โ€
Returning staff member (US, former camper)
“Each year she goes to camp she comes back with an affinity for nature. Sheโ€™s more independent and courteous. We love all that camp has to offer!โ€
Parent of 4-week returner
“She continues to come back from camp with increased accountability and independence. Itโ€™s wonderful to watch her develop her self esteem and confidence in herself. She wrote us 1 letter this summer because she โ€œwas busy having so much fun!โ€
Parent of 3-week returner
“With every summer, she grows to love Carysbrook more and more. We love that she gets to experience being herself with girls of all ages, learning new things, and connecting with nature in a safe and positive environment.”
“I love seeing what she learns each year from camp. She is learning skills that will be useful throughout life. She loves riding so much. She also loves being able to go camping under the stars as well. I can see a change in her attitude since coming back from camp. She seems to helping me more. You all are amazing. I appreciate you calling me to let me know about things that have happened during camp. I think you do a fantastic job.”
Parent of 3-week returner
“She had the BEST time at Camp Carysbrook this year and cannot wait to return next year! Her cabin counselors were amazing. She also tried new activities and made friends which is exactly what we were hoping for :-)”
Parent of 2-week first-timer
โ€œI really appreciate the director’s communication with me and support for my daughter when she was feeling homesick! I’m impressed with how prompt and thorough her emails were despite being, I’m sure, quite busy with the campers.โ€
Parent of 2-week returner
“She made good friends and loved her counselors. I was so touched to see her counselor get bit emotional when saying goodbye to her and her cabin mates. I wish that I had given her a big hug as I’m so appreciative of their care and love for all these girls. Very, very grateful for them.”
Parent of 2-week returner:
“My daughter loves the fact that she can earn ribbons and awards for doing activities. First thing my daughter mentioned is that she was shy at first but quickly overcame her shyness and could be herself. She wants to go back for 4 weeks because of the friends she made there.”
Parent of 2-week returner
“She loved the variety of activities! Both of us loved the unplugged experience. I believe she really enjoyed the night time experiences where they got to do a variety of fun, special activities. She loved her counselor! I worried that being a new camper at the age of 11 would be tough but she felt very included and made friends in and out of her cabin. She had a wonderful time! She had so much fun and it was truly a very positive experience for her. She was so โ€œcamp sickโ€ once she left!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“Everything was professional and organized. I really appreciated the communication and pictures, especially as a new parent.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She feels like she is a part of the Camp Carysbrook family. Carysbrook has helped foster her independent spirit.”
Parent of Returning Camper
“She was crying when I picked her up at the end of her two weeks and said immediately she wants to come back next year!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She absolutely LOVED her first camp experience at Carysbrook. Thank you SO much for helping to make this a magical and memorable place and experience for these wonderful young women.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She had a wonderful time! She has done a great job with increased independence and has wanted to take on additional tasks and be helpful more often since returning home from camp. She did not have a single complaint or criticism! She does a great job filling us in when she does, so this is a great thing!”
Parent of first-time 1-week camper
โ€œThey loved watching their counselor make a fire. Both girls were able to tell me what needed to be done to do it. They loved sleeping in the barn and also the caving!โ€
Parent of 1-Week Campers
โ€œBoth of them loved everything about it – even the showers and toilets. They loved learning where everyone was from and all the activities to choose from.โ€
Parent of New 1-Week Campers
“I am really impressed with the time that the Carysbrook staff puts into the CIT program – to develop the CITs for a job as a future counselor as well as beneficial general life skills”.
2025 CIT Parent

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