Traditions We Hope Never Change at Camp Skyline

There are just some things that make Camp Skyline, well… Camp Skyline. They are the familiar sounds, the daily rhythms, the little moments, and the traditions that have been passed down from one generation of Skyline girls to the next. Some things may look a little different through the years, but there are traditions we hope will never change.

Beginning each day at Morning Watch and raising the flag. Before the busyness of the day begins, there is something special about gathering together for Morning Watch. It is a time to pause, reflect, be thankful, and remember what matters most. And when Morning Watch ends, we raise the flag together, a daily reminder of the camp we love and the community we are fortunate to be part of. It is a tradition that sets the tone for another wonderful day at Skyline.

Ending each day at Campfire. After a full day of activities, laughter, and adventure, there is no better place to gather than around the campfire. It is where stories are shared, songs are sung, friendships grow, and memories are made. No matter how old you are or how many summers you have spent at Skyline, there is just something about ending the day together around that fire.

The Mounties, Rangers, and Troopers! One of the things that makes Skyline unique is that it is an all-girls camp. And when it comes to club competition, our girls know how to bring the spirit! Whether you are a Mountie, Ranger, or Trooper, there is a special kind of pride that comes with wearing your club colors and cheering on your teammates.

And speaking of competition, we can’t talk about clubs without mentioning the cups! The Spirit Cup is perhaps the most treasured of all. It is about more than winning; it represents enthusiasm, teamwork, kindness, encouragement, and the heart of what it means to be a Skyline girl. The Point Cup gives everyone a reason to cheer on their club throughout the summer, and the Horse Show Cup brings its own excitement and friendly rivalry. Each one adds to the fun, pride, and traditions of club competition.

The activities that fill our days. Horseback riding, arts and crafts, time at the waterfront, canoeing, and all the adventures in between. Some girls come to camp with a favorite activity already in mind, while others discover a brand-new love along the way. And sometimes the very best part of an activity isn’t the activity at all, but the friends standing beside you.

Making new friends and spending time with old ones. There is something wonderful about a place where you can pick up right where you left off with a friend from last summer and, at the same time, meet someone who will become a lifelong friend. Whether you are laughing with your cabinmates, visiting with friends between activities, or making memories with someone you just met, friendships are at the heart of the Skyline experience.

Those cool mornings and warm afternoons. There is nothing quite like waking up to a cool mountain morning, needing that extra layer for a little while, and then finding yourself enjoying a beautiful, warm (or downright hot!) afternoon. It is part of the rhythm of summer on Lookout Mountain, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Singing in the dining hall. The dining hall is about so much more than meals. It is a place for loud voices, familiar songs, laughter, and a whole lot of Skyline spirit. Some songs have been sung for generations, and we hope the girls will keep singing them for generations to come!

The excitement of the horseshoe hunt. The anticipation, the searching, and the hope of being the one to find it! It is one of those traditions that gets everyone involved and gives the girls something fun to look forward to.

And, of course, the ringing of the bell! That familiar sound lets everyone know it is time to move on to the next activity. It may seem like a simple part of the day, but it is one of those sounds that becomes part of your summer. Years later, you might hear a bell ring somewhere and find yourself right back at Skyline.

When you think about it, these traditions are what connect generations of Skyline girls. The girls who gathered at Morning Watch decades ago, raised the flag, sang in the dining hall, competed for the Spirit Cup, searched for the horseshoe, and ended their days at Campfire share something with the girls who are doing those very same things today.

The faces change. The songs may get a little louder (or perhaps a little more off-key!). New activities and memories are added every summer. But the heart of Camp Skyline remains the same. And that is exactly how we hope it stays.

Here’s to the traditions we love, the memories we make, and the Skyline spirit that will never change!