YMCA Camp Greenville

Camp staff had the opportunity today to attend the annual Prayer Breakfast hosted by our YMCA of Greenville . Held each year during Gratitude Week, this years theme and message focused on Love. Serve. Care. What an inspiring morning to help us remember the power of shared purpose!

We’re thrilled to announce that Katy Harvill is stepping into a brand-new role as Camp Leadership & Engagement Manager at Camp Greenville! In this position, Katy will join our Program Team to lead the Leadership Development Program (LDP), and help teens grow into the next generation of camp leaders. Those who’ve worked alongside Katy know her for her creativity, positive energy, and genuine passion for people. While we’ll miss her amazing talents on the communications side, we couldn’t be more excited to see her bring her experience, heart, and vision to this new chapter. Congratulations, Katy, we can’t wait to see all the ways you’ll help shape the future of leadership at Camp Greenville! Join us in cheering Katy on as she dives into this new adventure! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things she’ll bring to Camp Greenville’s teen leadership programs!

YMCA Camp Greenville is pleased to announce that Jenna Johnson has been named Executive Director. As Jenna completes her 11th summer on the mountain, her commitment to camp remains as strong as ever!! 💛 🌄 🌲 "I am deeply honored and humbled to continue my time at camp in this new capacity. As I wrap up my 11th summer, one truth remains constant; this is a special place, made so by the people who are a part of it. Camp Greenville has an important and incredible legacy, and I am grateful for the opportunity to honor our past, care for our present, and help shape our future." — Jenna Johnson, Executive Director Please join us in congratulating Jenna in her new role!!!

Join us for an evening of celebrating our 100th Year on the Mountain with dinner and music in the Lodge. Meet other alumni, share and hear memories, and take tours around camp. Event begins Saturday, November 1 at 4pm. Overnight cabin accommodations are limited, and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis with registration. Overnight guests may stay until Sunday at 11am. Pre-registration is required. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Announcing… our Session 1 Staff of the Week! The honor was presented by Director of Base Camp, Alexandra Beavers (left) to Cabin Leader CHARLES (middle) and Health Hut Coordinator MCLEAN! 🎉 Nomination notes from peers: “Charles was especially sensitive and compassionate for his campers that needed him the most this week. He was a great support as a co-cabin leader and a good leader. Charles kept a positive attitude all week and was present all week, he always has a smile on his face and never gave up on his cabin.” “McLean is always helping not only campers but also staff. She has a big heart and is always smiling. Her determination to do her job in the right way inspires all the staff to be better. She's compassionate, warm and watching her work reminds me why I am at camp. Above and beyond to make sure everyone is getting the care and attention they need.”

We are thrilled to share that Cory Harrison, Vice President of Overnight Camping, spent last week advocating for Camp on Capitol Hill! "Last week, I had the chance to represent YMCA Camp Greenville and the broader camp movement in Washington, D.C. as part of Hill Days with the American Camp Association. This annual event brings together camp leaders from across the country to meet with members of Congress and advocate for the policies that help camps thrive. A major focus of my conversations was the J1 Visa Camp Counselor and Support Staff program—a vital lifeline for staffing our summer seasons with talented, diverse individuals from around the world. I also joined others in pushing for federal budget funding that supports youth development, outdoor education, and access to camp experiences for all kids. While in D.C., I had the privilege of meeting directly with Congressman William Timmons, who represents our home district, as well as Senator Tim Scott. I also spent time with the legislative staff from the offices of Senator Rand Paul, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Senator Bill Hagerty. Across the board, these meetings were productive and focused. There was strong interest in the impact that camps like ours have—not just on kids, but on workforce development, mental health, and the economy. But what made this trip truly special was reconnecting with Camp Greenville families who now live in the D.C. area. Seeing their continued connection to camp—and their eagerness to stay involved from afar—was a powerful reminder of just how deep our roots run. Our community in D.C. is growing, and the energy and support from those families was a personal highlight of the trip. Advocacy isn’t always glamorous, but it matters. These conversations help ensure that policies align with the real needs of our campers, our staff, and our mission. I’m proud to do this work on behalf of Camp Greenville, and grateful to be part of a national movement that believes every child deserves a camp experience." -Cory Harrison, Vice President of Overnight Camping

It's time for a bittersweet "see-ya-later"! 💙 De-Quan "DQ" Williams, our Director of Leadership Programs, has accepted a new position at a YMCA camp in North Carolina. While this transition will leave a huge hole in our Camp Greenville community, we are excited for DQ to explore a new chapter in his own leadership path. DQ started at Camp Greenville as a seasonal staff member and completed 7 outdoor education seasons (spring and fall) throughout his years. His first summer position was 2016 as the high ropes coordinator and then the D2 division leader in 2017. That year, he was awarded Camp Greenville’s highest staff honor: the Monk Mulligan summer staff award. He returned in 2019 and 2020 as summer leadership staff and became full time year-round in the fall of 2020 as the Director of Leadership Programs overseeing staffing, culture, and the teen Leadership Development Program. In his time at Camp Greenville, De-Quan has doubled participation in the LDP program, grew hundreds of LDPs in to staff, and created a program that impacts our leaders far beyond their summers at camp. For our YMCA of Greenville Association, DQ served on the DIG (Diversity, Inclusion, and Global) committee and was chosen to participate in a year long Emerging Global Leaders Institute which is a cohort-based experience encouraging emerging YMCA leaders to develop the skills to enhance the YMCA’s ability to positively impact our increasingly diverse communities. DQ is heading to YMCA Camp Kirkwood in North Carolina to further expand and grow his experience in the world of camping and the YMCA. We are so proud and excited for him as he embarks on this new adventure and wish him all of the best. Leave a "see-ya-later" message for DQ here in the comments. 🥹🧡🥳

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the incredible, the amazing, the one and only… Bobo is joining our full-time team as Adventure Program Manager! Bobo graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management from Appalachian State University. His experience includes working as an Outdoor Education Instructor at YMCA Camp Classen and YMCA of the Rockies. Since 2022, Bobo has been a part of the Camp Greenville family, serving as a Trip Leader during the summers of 2022 and 2023 and the Adventure Division Leader in 2024. This marks his 10th year working for the YMCA seasonally. We are excited for him to bring his experience and enthusiasm to help plan, execute, and further develop adventure programs, ensuring every camper has an unforgettable and transformative experience.

Yesterday, our VP of Overnight Camping, Cory Harrison, presented to a packed room of camp directors at the annaul Camp Owners and Directors Association national conference in Dallas, TX. After his experience leading Camp Greenville through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Cory was asked to lead a session called "Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Navigating Disaster." In the one-hour talk, he shared 4 key pieces of advices: 1. People first, always. 2. Assess, prioritize, and make a plan. 3. Communicate, even when you don't have all the answers. 4. Activate your network.

Camp Greenville at CODA 2025: Exploring the Future of Camp Leadership Next week, two of us from YMCA Camp Greenville will be heading to Dallas, TX, for the Camp Owners and Directors Association (CODA) Conference—a gathering of leaders dedicated to shaping the future of camping. CODA is always a great opportunity to connect, learn, and bring back fresh ideas to strengthen the experience we provide for campers and families. One of the keynote speakers we’re particularly excited about is David Yager, who will be sharing insights from his book, 10-25: The Future of Youth & Family. This book dives into the trends shaping today’s youth—covering everything from mental health and technology to shifting family dynamics. As camp professionals, understanding these trends is essential to making Camp Greenville not just a place for adventure but also a supportive space where kids build confidence, resilience, and real-world connections away from the pressures of everyday life. For Camp Greenville parents, this conversation matters because it directly impacts how we design our programs, train our staff, and create an environment where kids can disconnect from screens, reconnect with nature, and develop lifelong skills. If you’re interested in learning more about 10-25 and how these insights shape our approach to camp, we’d love to chat!