Culture & Traditions
All great camps are built on tradition, and YMCA Camp Greenville is one of the best. Whether campers are singing at Monday Chapel, Battling for the Paddle, Plunging Like a Polar Bear or graduating into becoming a Monk’s Old Timer or Double Monk, everyone can join in on over 100 years of exceptional tradition.
Core Values
At Camp Greenville our core values that we expect campers and staff to uphold at all times are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We also recognize our values in action by giving out our core value pins.
Be G.R.E.A.T.
In the same vein, work to ensure every camper develops the skills to be G.R.E.A.T. during their time at camp - Grateful, Resilient, Engaged, Authentic, & Thoughtful.
Polar Bear Plunge & Beyond
Campers have the opportunity to participate in special activities each morning before breakfast, including Polar Bear swim, a hiking to Pretty Place, and other morning-energizing fun. Campers who participate in Polar Bear every day are awarded the Herbie the Heron pin, while campers who join us Monday morning for a sunrise hike to & from Pretty Place, polar bear, and several other challenges will be awarded our Breakfast of Champions pin.
Parade Grounds & Morning Shine
Before meals, campers gather at the flag pole at Parade Grounds for a moment of fellowship, including songs and flag raising and lowering. Each morning after Breakfast, we meet and talk about our goals, sing songs, and set the right attitude to begin our day.
Chapel at Pretty Place
One Monday evenings, we have Chapel at Pretty Place with all campers and staff. Chapel is lead by our Executive Director and includes songs and a message focused on our Core Values and Great Goals.
Packout
Each division has an evening outdoor experience at one of our packout sites. Division 1 campers cook s’mores over an open campfire; Division 2 campers enjoy s’mores and an optional overnight sleep-out; and Division 3 & 4 campers cook dinner and s’mores AND sleep out overnight!
Battle for the Paddle
Each day we inspect cabins and announce the winner of the cleanest boys and girls cabin. These daily winners get to carry the Paddle representing their victory until the next day, when the paddle may be passed on. The most spotless cabin for the week wins the Cleanest Cabin Award and gets a special treat!
Cabin of Excellence
This award is given to those cabins who do all of the following: keep the cabin clean every day, complete 2-3 hikes, perform a song or skit, do a small service project for Camp and do a random act of kindness.
Monk’s Old Timer
Monk’s Old Timer is the top honor a camper can receive at Camp Greenville. Those campers who are here for their fifth summer are inducted into the exclusive club (named for legendary YCG director, “Monk” Mulligan) and will be honored in a special ceremony, receive a Monk’s old Timer t-shirt, and have the opportunity to light the closing campfire.
Double Monk’s Old Timer
Building upon the Monk’s Old Timer award, campers who attend their tenth summer at Camp Greenville will be dubbed a Double Monk’s Old Timer and will gain entry into camp’s most sacred club & ceremony.
Twilight Talk & Vespers
Each evening, each cabin group talks about their day and strive to grow in their character development through relating their experiences to our Core Values & G.R.E.A.T. Goals.
Pajama Jam
Every Saturday, the whole camp gathers at Camp Square in their pajamas for one last dance party and the viewing of the end-of-week video!
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, we seek to ensure that all segments of society have access to the YMCA Camp Greenville and feel welcome and fully engaged.
Our camp is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure everyone, regardless of race, gender, income, faith, sexual orientation or cultural background has the opportunity to live life to its fullest.
Our camp is a force for building bridges among all people as we share the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
If you’d like to learn more about how Camp Greenville handles various issues our campers may face as it relates to Diversity and Inclusion, please reach out.
