If you’ve spent a summer day in Montreat, you’ve probably heard the Clubbies before you’ve seen them. Throughout the week, you’ll find them shouting with joy as they run across Moore Center Field, splashing in the pool with their friends, or belting out camp songs in the barn. I got to spend time with these “Clubbies” (the spirited campers of Montreat Clubs) and over three days, I had the chance to step into their world.
Montreat Clubs is a day camp that runs all summer long for kids who have completed kindergarten through those who have recently graduated high school. Some come for a week or two while their families attend a conference or are on vacation; others attend all summer. Regardless of how long they’re here, every Clubbie is welcomed with a high five and a whole lot of Montreat magic. That magic is no accident. It’s created daily by a team of counselors, barn staff, art and music leaders, lifeguards, tennis instructors, and a group of rovers who go wherever they’re needed most. Together, they form a web of support that stretches from the “Kindies” to the “Senior Highs.” Each person plays a part in making Clubs a whirlwind of fun, creativity, and controlled chaos.
The counselors get to build their daily schedules and choose the games they lead, which means that no day of Clubs is the same. From music and crafts to rock hopping, boats, and all-camp competitions, Clubs offers something for everyone. One group might be dancing in the barn, while another is playing pickleball or hiking a nearby trail. I watched different age groups giggle on the playground, sprint across Anderson Lawn during an “all over” game, and splash through the creek. Every corner of Montreat seems to become a playground when you’re with Clubs.
One of my favorite moments of the week was the “Dino Egg Hunt” in the creek. I tagged along as a group of Clubbies marched through the creek with purpose, on a quest to find a dinosaur egg. The egg, of course, was a watermelon. After much searching and splashing, one camper triumphantly raised the watermelon over their head as everyone cheered.
It’s not just the kids having fun. The staff love what they do. Many grew up attending Clubs themselves and have returned to give other kids the same unforgettable summer. Their energy is contagious. Whether they’re leading a game or paddling in a boat, they’re all in; rain, shine, or covered in paint.
As I left the Barn on my last day, I could still hear the echoes of camp songs and splashes from the creek. My shoes were soaked and my face hurt from smiling, but I also carried a new understanding of what makes Montreat Clubs so special. It’s not just the games or the crafts or even a watermelon-shaped dinosaur egg. It’s the people who show up every day ready to make memories, build community, and turn the summer into something these kids will remember forever.
Kayden Foyles is the marketing assistant at Montreat Conference Center as part of Summer Staff. She is a rising senior at North Carolina State University studying Communication Media.