(Last Updated – January 31, 2026)
Camp promotional films
(Click on the picture to open the video.)
1932 video of canoe camp near Hot Springs, NC. (Photos of the same location and same campers appeared in the 1933 catalog.) Woodcraft camp near the summit of Mt. Mitchell. Indian village clips showing early Indian Lore activities.
(Thanks to Tad Dill for sponsoring the digital scan.)
A 1933 video I think. The group loading on to a Greyhound bus were probably heading to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. There are some nice shots of a riding trip to Ogle Meadows. The trip to Catawba Falls would violate many of today’s liability standards!
(Thanks to Jerry Barker for sponsoring the digital scan.)
This video is approximately 1934 or 1935. The riding clips show Dr. Wheeler leading the program – not Corbett Alexander whose first year was 1937. There are some duplicate clips here that were also shown in the 1933 film, but a fair amount of new material as well.
(Thanks to Jeter Walker for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Promotional film from the late 1930s. There are riding clips with Corbett Alexander (whose first year at was 1937). Group picture from Southeastern Regional ACA counselor training program. A little outdoor cooking, Indian village activities, and waterfront clips.
(Thanks to Eric Lansing for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Chief took campers to the New York World’s Fair in 1940. Then, there are clips showing Chief’s road trip out west to a national ACA meeting. They visited the Grand Canyon, Catalina Island, Yosemite, Sequoyah National Park, and skiing – possibly at the Sugar Bowl ski area.
(Thanks to Ray Martin for sponsoring the digital scan.)
This video came from an early 1940s June 2-week session. The two-week session included 1) A boys session, 2) a girls session, and 3) a Southeast regional ACA counselor training program. There’s a quick shot of Uncle Mike and plenty of Corbett Alexander clips.
(Thanks to Rick Harned for sponsoring the digital scan.)
A continuation of the 1942 two-week session. There are clips that identify staff members, including Pop Hollandsworth at 27-years old. The video shows group photos, various activities around camp, a mix of flowers around camp, and an Institute trip to Craggy Gardens.
(Thanks to Ray Martin for sponsoring the digital scan.)
From the late 1940s, probably 1946. Clips of the riding program (not sure where that first riding ring was located), crafts, sourdough camp, the Sequoyah carnival, and Indian lore.
(Thanks to Charles Lano for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Miscellaneous clips from the late 1940s. Includes the 1948 sourdough camp led by Bill Brittain, canoe camp on Lake Aquone (Nantahala), the sword dance led by Pop, crafts projects, and campers setting up for group photos.
(Thanks to Jacob Bryan for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Grand council and Indian village videos from the late 1940s and early 1950s. The night time grand council clip shows shots of Stephan S. Jones, Jr. (Red Dawn).
(Thanks to Joseph Nixon for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Land clearing for the Alumni Lodge, Canoe Camp clearing, construction of the water fountain by the lodge, construction of the pirate boat at Lake Nantahala, swimming pool construction, and chimney construction at Chief’s house.
(Thanks to David Adams for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Early 1950s promotional film. Opening day, showing off the new Lodge, Red Cross senior lifesaving and other waterfront activities (before the pool was built), horseback trail ride, lots of field sports activities, etc.
(Thanks to Floyd Martin for sponsoring the digital scan.)
This was footage from the first couple of years of Tsali that was left out of the other Tsali film below. It includes activities around camp, construction of the Lodge, a backpacking trip (perhaps to the Smokies). I’ve include photographs by Dillard Adams to enhance the presentation.
(Thanks to Dorn Hetzel for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Videos from 1953. There are clips of Pop conducting the Sequoyah choir and orchestra, clips of Corbett Alexander leading horseback trips to Pisgah and to the Great Smokies. There are some early canoe camp videos. And much more…
(Thanks to David Brand for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Film from the late 1950s showing crafts activities, the Junior Camp riding ring, sourdough camp, and a variety of field sports activities.
(Thanks to Theodore Bratton for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Miscellaneous clips: Closing day, Canoe Camp, morning watch, possibly an AT hike – maybe in the Roan Mountain area.
(Thanks to Andre Capi for sponsoring the digital scan.)
A variety of camp activities – Jr. camp carnival, chorus, father/son camp, camper photos, canoe camp, grand council, riding, Mt. Mitchel hike, crafts, swimming, and inspiration point (before the Chapel was built).
(Thanks to Woody Hackworth for sponsoring the digital scan.)
Alumni donations raised over $10,000 for the construction of the Sequoyah chapel. Here’s the construction process during Spring 1962 and the dedication on August 12. See the Thunderbird Volume 29 (9) for details.
(Thanks to Jeffrey Schoen for sponsoring the digital scan.)
How many of you played tackle the counselor? How many of you played tackle the counselor with Roland McNutt?! I see why they never included this footage in the camp promotional films that were shown to parents.