BRYSON CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — Camp Watia in Bryson City is celebrating a big birthday this year. The YMCA camp is 10 years old. Even though it’s one of the newer summer camps, it has built rich traditions with campers who keep coming back.
After day two of Camp Watia's first session, it's already a big splash for many. That's no surprise to veteran camper 16-year-old Owen.
"The people in the cabins, the counselors—it’s an awesome community. It gets stronger every year," Owen said.
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This is Owen's ninth summer at Camp Watia. The Asheville teen remembered his first summer camp at Watia.
"It helped me develop a lot of independence, as well. Like, getting up and going to school was always a struggle before coming to camp. Then I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready to go and do my own thing.’"
Owen said that each year, the skills he gains at Camp Watia carry over to school the following year.
"There’s no judgment. You can kind of talk to anyone freely. I feel like I’m a lot more open and talkative when I’m at school after a couple of weeks of camp," Owen said.
At the amphitheater, 11-year-old Juliette and her group prepared to put on a show called “Mock Rock,” which features songs and dances performed by the 130 campers this session.
Juliette said she's not a natural performer, but Camp Watia gets her out of her comfort zone and opens her up to new skills.
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"Once you’ve practiced it and been on the stage a couple of times, it’s actually really fun," Juliette said.
This is Juliette's fifth year at Camp Watia. She's from Arizona.
"We talk about how cold it is here and how hot it is in Phoenix, and we just get to learn a lot about other people," Juliette said.
Hanging from the ceiling of Camp Watia's dining hall are flags representing the different states and countries of campers and counselors from the past decade.
"When kids are here at Camp Watia, everyone belongs. That’s something I think every single member of staff we have holds close to themselves and is able to live out on a daily basis," Camp Director Zay Latham said.
Latham points out Camp Waita is accredited by the American Camp Association.
"It just means we’re a really, really good camp with really good safety policy and protocol," Latham said.
Latham pointed out some of the advantages of being a newer camp, including newly stained wood on the ropes course and in the dining room.
"I think one of the greatest lessons we’ve learned from some of the older camps is how to take care of it. We take really good care of all of our facilities and all of our programs,” Latham said. “And I think when we come to be 50, when we come to be 100 or plus years old, we’ll still be looking really, really nice.”
In addition to the 900-acre camp in Bryson City, Latham said campers also have the option to visit horseback riding and white water rafting centers in Bryson City.
First-generation Camp Watia campers said they know they are part of something special and lasting.
"I know I will have my kids coming here. It’s an amazing camp, and I love it," Juliette said.