Why I Give - Father Frederick C. Byrd

Why am I a Gravatt donor? The answer is easy. I am who I am because of my supportive and loving family and our impactful nurturing Gravatt nestled in the pines on that holy ground. The impact of Gravatt on my life began in 1953 when I was introduced to this holy place as a camper. I have had a seamless relationship for sixty seven years. During those early years I had warm interactions with Bishop Cole, priests, deacons, seminarians, and faithful laity of our diocesan family. It was impossible to be a part of that loving community without being touched by God and that touch began my discernment for Holy Orders. One eventful day stands out. I was on staff at age 16 and I saw Bishop Cole heading to Lake Henry for some fishing time. I asked for a little time for conversation and he graciously agreed. We sat on a log and talked about ministry in all shapes and forms. That time with him and all my other nurturing moments at Gravatt planted the seed of priesthood.

Let me share this reflection from one of my summers as camp director:

In the cool of the evening when the lights are out, the campers are tired and quiet, the campfire is but a pile of glowing embers, a majestic blanket of stars is brightly visible with an occasional shooting star, the faithful whippoorwills and frogs begin their serenade, and a cool breeze drifts across Lake Sylvia, I would sit quietly at the campfire circle and thank Almighty God that we have our beloved Gravatt where good and beautiful things happen for our children and wonderful relationships and memories will stay with them forever.

 Remaining prayerful and confident while facing the ramifications of this horrific pandemic, it is heartening to remember that I am a part of the greater Gravatt Family with wonderful relationships and memories that sustain me. No wonder that I give to Gravatt!!

The Ven. Frederick C. Byrd

Archdeacon Emeritus

Gravatt Night at St. Martin's-in-the-fields

Who? All your favorite Gravatt folks – adults AND campers

What? Happy Hour and Apps for Adults – games and pizza w/ counselors for campers

When? March 5, 5-8pm

Where? St. Martin’s-in-the-fields Episcopal Church, The Commons Building - Adults will gather in the Garden Room and the children and youth will be in the Youth Loft upstairs. 

Why? To spend time and have fun with Gravatt Friends!

 Come enjoy a night with all your Gravatt friends – young and old! Adults will enjoy a Happy Hour with appetizers, learning more about ways to support and be active in the Gravatt community, all about summer camp, and the great things going on at Gravatt, while children and youth will spend time with their favorite summer camp counselors enjoying pizza and Gravatt Squares! This is the perfect opportunity to introduce a new family to Gravatt. In fact, for every NEW camper you bring to Gravatt Night that registers at the event, you’ll receive $50 off your camper’s registration fee!

 Gravatt staff will be available to help you with registration as well as answer ANY and all questions you may have, so come to learn about Gravatt or just come for fun with your Gravatt Family. We can’t wait to see you.

 You can let us know you’re coming at the Facebook Event (link here)! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christine Koutrakos at christine@campgravatt.org!

What do you LOVE about Gravatt?

"I LOVE the lifelong friends I made at Gravatt. They are my extended family. Going on over 30 years of friendship. I even married one of them 29 years ago! So Gravatt gave me my family." - Paula Bowers, pictured at right (She's in the pink outfit on the left! She and her friends on staff were dressed for a wrestling match night activity!)

"Escape, serenity, family" - Diana Rambo-Davis, pictured at right (gold shirt in the front!)

"Goats, campfires, and bacon!" - Maycie Moore, pictured at left

"I love Gravatt because it gives children a safe space to be themselves!" - Claire Walters, pictured at left

Friends of Gravatt Oyster Roast 2020

Another successful Friends of Gravatt Oyster Roast is in the books! With the unmatched oyster roasting skills of Thomas Coleman (and helpful friends), another Oyster Roast went off without a hitch. Nearly 100 donors, friends, staff alumni, family, campers, board members, and staff gathered to celebrate the success of 2019 at the place we love the most. The Camp Pavilion provides the perfect setting, where sentimentality is high and joy is higher. Not only were guests surrounded by delicious food: steamed oysters (obviously), low country boil, homemade chili, and campfire s’mores, but they were, more importantly, surrounded by friends, family, and pine trees!

The happy buzz was clearly heard from across the property; we even had the opportunity to welcome the St. David’s Episcopal Church Vestry, whose retreat was simultaneously taking place on the conference side. This is always such a special event, full of joy, but there was something special about this 2020 celebration. With such big plans ahead, Gravatt finds something new to celebrate every day. This success is all thanks to the sweet, smiling campers we welcome each summer, the returning conference groups with endless shared stories with their communities back home, and our continuously gracious donors, who never seem to need a reason to give back to the place in the woods that finds a place in your heart.

With Oyster Roast 2020 now behind us, Gravatt staff is newly energized to make this decade the best in
Gravatt History, and with a crew like we’ve got, there’s nowhere to go but up!