Camp Southern Ground NEWS

Camp Southern Ground and Generation WE Amplify Youth Voices Through Storytelling and Art

Jul 10, 2025

Camp Southern Ground is proud to announce a new partnership with Generation WE, an organization dedicated to fostering belonging and inclusion through storytelling and literature. The mission is simple but powerful: give children the tools to express themselves and see value in their unique stories—and there’s no better place for that than Camp Southern Ground.

This collaboration kicked off during Session 5’s Hero Day with our Camp Corral campers. Founder of Generation WE Annie Totten and local artist River Thigpen led an inspiring storytelling workshop using a unique medium: vinyl records. Campers were invited to express their stories through painting, turning each record into a work of art that reflected their identity, creativity, and experience.

Shared Totten, “Partnering with Camp Southern Ground is what we would consider the ideal way to grow our reach and deepen our impact. Our visions to see a world where ALL children feel seen and celebrated and have a true sense of belonging. Camp Southern Ground has already created this environment for their campers, so bringing our workshops on site in this inclusive environment is an ideal setting to empower these kids to share their perfectly unique stories and experiences through art, and to connect. It is through these shared stores and connection that we find empathy and belonging for those around us.”

The record art was more than just a fun project, it became a vehicle for connection, empathy, and self-expression. Each camper took their vinyl home as a lasting memento of their camp journey, a symbol of pride in their personal story, and a reminder that their voice matters.
With storytelling through spoken word, music, art, and more at the heart of both organizations, this partnership is a natural fit, especially for a camp founded by Grammy Award-winning musician Zac Brown. The use of vinyl records as the workshop’s canvas made for a meaningful, music-inspired connection that resonated with campers and staff alike.

As this partnership continues to grow, Camp Southern Ground and Generation WE will work together to expand these workshops to more camp sessions and veteran family programs, celebrating every story and ensuring every camper feels seen, heard, and valued.

Because at Camp Southern Ground, belonging isn’t just a value, it’s a promise.