The holidays are upon us and that meant it was time for the annual Reindeer Run in Brevard this past Saturday. To kick off a day of small town festivities, almost two hundred people ran the 5K race on a chilly mountain morning. There were tons of costumes, pre-race pictures, and lots of youth entrants sporting reindeer antlers. After a mass singing of Jingle Bells in place of a starter pistol, we were off, taking care not to be crushed by the tiny reindeer herd sprinting for the front.

John Carpenter, Morgan Williams, Hank Birdsong, and Woody Noland represented High Rocks in the race and everyone felt good about their runs. While we did not repeat our costumed performance from the Halloween 5K, it was nice to feel aerodynamic again and everyone’s final time dropped significantly without dragging a fat suit around the course. Hank and Morgan did especially well with Hank finishing first in his age group and Morgan second in hers. Congratulations to all the runners and go Team High Rocks!

If anyone feels like joining the High Rocks squad, there is a special race coming up in a few months. The Krispy Kreme Challenge (www.krispykremechallenge.com) is held on Feb. 4, 2012 and presents a unique twist to a 5 mile run. Participants run 2.5 miles, eat a dozen glazed donuts, and run 2.5 miles back. It takes place on the N.C. State campus and has quickly grown to more than 7500 runners supporting the N.C. Children’s Hospital. Not only have Hank, Don, Mark, John, Zach, and Woody all signed up already, but there are alumni (Scott Collins and Strickland Parks) committing as well. All CHR people within a reasonable area, come join in the ridiculousness!!

This past weekend, several of our High Rocks staff members participated in the annual Flight of the Vampire 5K race in Brevard.  The race is part of the many festivities during the Halloween weekend.  I mean with a place called Transylvania County, how can you not have a large time at Halloween.  Now a 5k race is not really a big deal, but the cool thing about this race is that many people dress up in costume while they run!

Woody Noland, Ben Little and John Carpenter chose what seemed to be a less-than-perfect costume for the race, but definitely one that turned a lot of heads!

Woody, Ben, and John

It was certainly a lot of fun.  Woody also described the sensation of feeling like you wrapped in plastic food wrap.  I sweat layer of sweat all inside the suit…nasty!  Can you imagine trying to run ins those suits???

Congratulations to all the High Rockers and Keystone Camp staff that came out for the event.  Life at camp is always fun!

The High Rocks and Keystone Crowd ready to race!

We will keep you posted about the upcoming “Reindeer Run” in December!  I can’t wait to see what the the outfits might look like!

Don

Holy Cow!  What a busy fall!

First of all, I’d like to just tell everybody how BEAUTIFUL it has been at camp!  We’ve got the leaves changing, and the view around the lake is just amazing.  Also, here and there we are getting days of a perfect 75 degrees along with nice and chilly nights.  There’s just something special about wearing a t-shirt during the day and still enjoying a fire at home at night.

The folks here at High Rocks have been going in all different directions!  Hank and Townsend have been traveling in Virginia and eastern North Carolina.  Don and Zoob have been all around Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.  Woody has already been to Charleston and also done some rounds down in Texas.  It has been really great for everybody to catch up with camp families and meet some new folks too – it’s an exciting time of year when we start planning for the next summer!

We’ve just finished up our last LEAP group of the fall.  It’s always sad when the last group leaves… camp is so different when there aren’t any kids here.  We’ve been getting camp ready for the winter – the maintenance fellas have been hard at work winterizing the cabins, blowing leaves like crazy, and even taking down our waterslide (don’t worry – it’ll go up again in the spring).  While the winter brings on a whole new feel to camp, it’s always just good to slow down a little bit, put on the thinking caps for next year, and get prepared for the spring, summer, and fall once again.

We hope that everybody is having a great fall, that school is going well and that you’re thinking fondly of camp.  We miss you and can’t wait to see you again!

Crystal Clusiau

crystal@highrocks.com

As most of you know, we do some special programming for school groups in the spring and fall each year – we call it LEAP: Learning Experientially through Adventure Programming.  There are groups from all over the southeast that come to High Rocks, ranging in grade from 6^th to 12^th, to play outside, work on some initiatives, and enjoy beautiful western North Carolina.

We’re in the thick of our LEAP season now, and it’s just one of the greatest times of the year.  Nobody is quite ready to give up summer camp, so we just change it up a little bit.  The weather is starting to get much cooler, but kids are still canoeing around the lake, going off the rope swing, and keeping the rest of camp busy too.

The kids who come up for LEAP programs get to do a wide range of activities.  Some of our groups spend their whole time here (which is usually between 3 and 5 days) on backpacking trips in Pisgah National Forest.  A lot of groups spend whole days out climbing – we even had a group do a multi-pitch climbing day!  Other typical activities for students who stay in camp include high and low ropes course, canoeing on the French Broad River, exploring some waterfalls in DuPont, checking out some stream ecology, and practicing orienteering and geocaching skills.

Another cool thing about the fall is that there is a local corn maze that opens.  It’s a really fun evening activity for the groups to experience, and this year it sounds like the labyrinth has been especially challenging to get through.  The evenings during the fall are really fun – when the students aren’t doing the corn maze, they’ll often enjoy some typical High Rocks field or dodgeball games, or go on night hikes around camp, and we always finish off our programs with a traditional campfire.

We’re sad that the season will be ending soon, but it’ll give us a little time to prepare for the next season.  It won’t be long before a couple KIPP schools send their 6^th graders our way and we’ll be visiting with Fathers & Sons for a long weekend of fun.

Crystal Clusiau

crystal@highrocks.com

Pictures from August 12, 2011  (password required)

We normally do not post pictures on the last day of camp, but we had a few leftover pictures that hadn’t been published yet.

Parent’s day will begin at 10 AM on Saturday. Please plan to arrive around 9:30, but Please not before 9:15!! Our counselors will not be ready to load trunks before 9:15 and the campers will still be in assembly until 9:45. When assembly ends at 9:45, each camper will be able to demonstrate the activities of his choice, so plan to stay until noon and join us for lunch. If you were not planning to stay for lunch originally, don’t worry- we always plan for extra.  It is fine to bring other family members or friends that might be interested in seeing camp.

At some point before leaving please be sure to “check out” at the camp office.  The office will have a packet that includes an address list, cabin picture, store account refund, and a “jump drive” with pictures from the session (if you preordered one).  If you didn’t preorder a “jump drive” we will have extras available in the camp store.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.

Pictures from August 11, 2011 (password required)

Yesterday was camper-counselor t-shirt swap day, today is “Wacky Hair Day”.  During breakfast a queue forms to get hair “styled”.  For some of our campers “Wacky Hair Day” seems to be a daily occurrence since they shower before bedtime & then end up with some unique styles when they come to the dining hall for breakfast the next morning.  One of the great things about camp is the wackiness and fun that goes on each and every day.

Tomorrow (Friday) is our last program day.  We will have regular activities and several special activities going on (be sure to ask your son if he painted a pony).

What’s Next? I always have parents ask about the difference between our two-week session and our longer sessions. The two-week session is meant as an introductory camp experience and all of the trips during a two-week session are beginner level trips. In every session our goal is to have a progression of building skills in the activities. When boys move on to longer sessions as they get older, we are able to build on their previous experiences and keep them at an appropriate level of challenge.

Climbing a short, low-angle, rockface earlier this week (~20')

The older campers in our four-week session, shown below, began their High Rocks careers climbing the same climb our two-week campers were on a few days ago, shown above. Each activity has a progression during a session and from one year to the next.  Another huge benefit to longer sessions is the social experience the campers have within the cabin groups. For us, a camp experience should be fun, but we also want our campers to grow socially and to become more independent as a result of the experience.

High Quality pictures- Some parents have been asking about getting copies of the pictures that are a higher quality than what we load on the net. We will have pictures from this session (almost 2,000 that are about ten times the resolution of the website pictures) available for sale on “thumb” drives ($30).  For those of you that pre-ordered the thumb drives, they will be enclosed in your check-out envelope on parent’s day.  If you did not pre-order one you can still reserve one by emailing townsend@highrocks.com

Today’s outings- There were several trips out today, including: a French Broad River canoeing trip; an overnight hiking trip returned; and a “Pilot Rock” climbing trip.  The guys in Hillside were on the Ropes Course this morning.

Parent’s Day- Parent’s day will begin at 10 AM on Saturday. Please plan to arrive around 9:30, but Please not before 9:15!! Our counselors will not be ready to load trunks and the campers will still be in assembly until 9:45. Each camper will be able to demonstrate the activities of his choice, so plan to stay until noon and join us for lunch. If you were not planning to stay for lunch originally, don’t worry- we always plan for extra.  It is fine to bring other family members or friends that might be interested in seeing camp.

One last reminder- please do not send any more mail, it will not arrive before closing day! (it is fine to send emails)

See you Saturday!

Pictures from August 10, 2011  (password required)

Camper-counselor shirt switch day! Some of these pairings are just hilarious! I'm not sure how Kevin felt about the "belly" shirt and Woody mentioned something aout not being able to breath !

For today’s blog, I asked Chris Dorrity if he could share some thoughts:

Chris Dorrity

Hey everybody, this is Chris Dorrity, the head of the climbing program here at camp.  Just the other day I had an interview.  Not a job interview, but one that was part of a study being performed by an undergraduate student at a local University.  It was for her sociology class.  She said that the study was an investigation on staff members working at local camps in the area, regarding their roles, positions, personal feelings, and past history with the camp that they work at.  As I was walking up to meet with my interviewer, I was anticipating some of the questions that I would be asked.  I knew for sure that one of those questions would be “what makes you keep coming back to camp”?  The interview lasted for about an hour, and sure enough, that anticipated question was the final one asked.

I thought about it for a moment, and then answered…  The reason I keep coming back to camp is different each year.  This is my seventh summer at High Rocks and each year is unique and unlike the ones before.  Some are filled with returning staff, where everything is routine and the whole summer is awesome and runs smoothly.  Other years there is a mix of new and old staff.  There are times when teaching roles and protocol is emphasized, and there is new excitement by the staff being part of a new community.  This year we had new staff members and there were new faces at camp.  The fresh ideas and enthusiasm from a new staff cannot be matched by an older staff.  Each year is special and has its special uniqueness all to its own.  However, there are challenges and difficulties that come with each year as well.

Some years for me I found it very challenging to be so distanced from my, now fiancé, Laura.  For the last two summers, she lived in Texas and there were times when I could not stand being so far away from her.  The crashing internet and bug-bitten nights spent at campfire hill trying to talk to her were unbearable at times.  There were other times when a staff member and I would disagree about something.  Sometimes the trips out of camp would be rained out and we would not get to climb.  Sometimes getting to supervise a cabin when the counselor had their night off is frustrating when the campers have still not brushed their teeth after asking them to do so 10 or more times.  Even my bosses would get upset at me for various reasons (none of which were my fault of course).  So, each summer at camp has its ups and downs and is completely different from the others.

So is there an overarching reason that I continue to come back to camp?  Yes.  Camp High Rocks is like my family.  We get along sometimes, and we get into disagreements sometimes, but every time, without a doubt, we are committed to each other and we are there for one another.  It is my family and my community.  Not just me and the staff, however.  The campers are what make this camp the complete community.  They are the lifeblood of camp.  It is their stories, jokes, adventures, learning, goals, achievements, growth, and maturing that make me come back to camp as well.  We are a family, through and through.  We have highs and lows, cranky and happy, excited and exhausted, but in the end we are all committed to each other.  We are committed to ensuring that everyone moves forward, learning, growing, loving each other, building each other up, and making each other stronger.  This is my family, and I love each one of them very much.

See you on Parent’s Day!

God Bless, Chris

Today’s outings- There were several trips out today, including: a Green River canoeing trip; an overnight hiking trip in Pisgah National Forest; a “High Rocks” climbing trip; and lastly- a Mountain Biking trip visited DuPont State Forest this morning.  The guys in Lakeside were on the Ropes Course this morning.  Connestee had their turn on the Ropes Course in the afternoon.  Hillside & Connestee are going to Sliding Rock & Dolly’s tonight.

High Quality pictures- Some parents have been asking about getting copies of the pictures that are a higher quality than what we load on the net. We will have pictures from this session (almost 2,000 that are about ten times the resolution of the website pictures) available for sale on “thumb” drives ($30).  For those of you that pre-ordered the thumb drives, they will be enclosed in your check-out envelope on parent’s day.  If you did not pre-order one you can still reserve one by emailing townsend@highrocks.com

It’s hard to believe there are only two more program days of camp!  We will upload pictures tomorrow & may upload a few on Friday.

Enjoy today’s pictures!

Hank Birdsong

Pictures from August 9, 2011  (password required)

Heading out on a backpacking overnight

Last night was a time to relax a bit.  The campers and staff have been going hard each day of the session, so last night we set up a screen in the gym and all of us watched a movie.  The movie title is always a closely guarded secret until showtime.  If any campers ever ask me what the movie is going to be I always respond that “it might be ‘Bambi’, but I’m not sure”.  With popcorn and candy bars, it was just like going out to a movie with 150 close friends.

As I walked around camp this morning it was evident that the guys have gained some skills in their activities.  Instead of learning mountain biking skills on the athletic field, the boys were off on a trail.  Two groups of paddlers were on river canoeing trips away from camp and a group of hikers headed out on an overnight.  The “Muggles” headed to Sliding Rock Recreation Area (no skill needed on that trip) and then to Dolly’s Ice Cream.  Even with all of that going on there was plenty happening at camp as well.

I noticed a bunch of tie-dye shirts today that I had not seen before.  The boys that had made them in crafts were wearing them proudly (be sure to wash them separately the first few times once they get home).  One of my last stops before mealtime was at the gym to play a bit of four-square.  There is always a game of four-square going on at free time or during choice period.  Today the four-square line was a bit longer than usual since Jeff G. had organized a friendly tournament.  No counselors were allowed in that game, so I joined in with a group that was playing on court two.

Zoob Gentle

Crystal Clusiau

If the blog postings make it seem like camp is a logistical jigsaw puzzle . . . you’re correct.  We’re very lucky to have two ladies that are extremely skilled with coordinating schedules, trips, vans, and staffing for our program.  Our summer Program Director Elizabeth “Zoob” Gentle and her assistant Program Director Crystal Clusiau keep things running smoothly.  Our thanks go out to Zoob & Crystal for their wonderful and talented leadership!

Wednesday is probably the last day to send a letter or postcard from home and have it arrive before parent’s day this Saturday.  On parent’s day each camper will be able to demonstrate the activities of his choice, so plan to stay until noon and join us for lunch. If you were not planning to stay for lunch originally, don’t worry- we always plan for extra.

Take care,

Hank Birdsong
Camp Director

Pictures from August 8, 2011  (password required)

What another wonderful day!  We hit the ground running this morning – after a weekend full of fun and out-of-ordinary events, it’s time to get back into our regular schedule, practice those new skills and make the most out of the few days we have left.  It’s always a sad time of the year when we start to think about the last campers of the summer heading home…

Today we had two bunches of kiddos head up to the Cathedral Rocks for some rock climbing, another group of guys went out for a canoeing trip on the French Broad River, and a mountain biking trip made their way over to neighboring DuPont Forest to get on some super-fun trails.  To top that off, two cabin groups made it on to the ropes course today, and each activity stayed busy with fun and exciting in-camp activities.

I have to say, I really love taking a bit of time each day to walk around camp and just observe all of our campers in their element.  Each day I get to see them in the swimming area searching for lost treasures on the bottom of the lake, or on the rock-it mastering the teamwork required to get a whole group moving, but it’s a real treat to see them around other areas in camp as well.  All of these boys have such big hearts – this morning I got to watch a bunch of kids stop in the dining hall for snack at 10:30 and grab snacks for their friends as well.  They were making plans to canoe together, play disc golf, or be “buddies” at swimming during free times.  In each of their activities they continue taking on new skills and independence each day – the climbers are all putting on their harnesses (correctly!) and getting ready to climb as soon as they make it to the shed.  The canoers are taking less time to complete an “endurance lap” around the lake.  The fishermen are so excited to venture to the Bottomless Pond in hopes of catching Scarface.  It seems that with each activity hour, the boys know exactly what their mission is, and they are so excited about getting it done.

We only have 4 more full days left of camp, and they will undoubtedly fly by.  You can count on us to keep everyone busy and the boys to discover new fun elements of camp each day…  This is my seventh summer at camp and I still feel that way (I just learned about an awesome four-square tournament taking place tomorrow)!

Have a great night!

Crystal Clusiau

Pictures from August 7, 2011  (password required)

I love Sundays at camp; it’s a special day to relax, reflect, and re-energize. We get up about thirty minutes later on Sunday, and ease into the day.

The Krispy-Kreme fairy left a special gift in the kitchen overnight…dozens of glazed doughnuts for all of us! Oh Boy was the kitchen staff excited to see that! They rounded it out with the usual breakfast fair, including hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and assorted cereals. The kids loved it.

After breakfast we all headed down to the edge of the lake to sing some songs and learn a short lesson. Zoob did a little service centered on friendship using the wonderful story of Owen and Mzee.

After our morning service we got the kids all ready and excited about the Annual Counselor Hunt! Counselors are briefed on the acceptable places to hide, while the campers are oriented on the rules of the game. Once everyone is ready, we ring the bell and the cabin groups are off to build up their score by finding the hidden counselors. Finally, we wrap up the morning with some choice activities like canoeing, swimming, the bouldering cave, ping pong, four square, tennis, or fishing.

Right after rest hour we headed down toward the gym to get the guys ready for another annual event, The High Rocks Carnival. It is a special event that only happens in this two week session. Campers participate in a bunch of games and activities. Some are games of skill where the boys can earn points like ring toss, Frisbee golf, musical chairs, card games, squirt gun “rapid fire,” or the football toss. Other activities include the counselor dunk tank, moonwalk, and face paint. The boys can use the points to purchase snow-cones, and candy. Finally, each camper has a chance at guessing how many Skittles are in a quart size container. It’s a whole heap of fun! The boys seemed to really enjoy it!

As if that wasn’t enough, we got all cleaned up after the carnival for an awesome cookout of hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixin’s. Now Townsend is a bit of a beef connoisseur, so it isn’t just any old burger or dog. Our hamburgers are all wonderful Black Angus beauties and the dogs are of the best quality we can get! We also add in some cheese, lettuce, and fresh tomatoes from our garden. Add a few sides and a little bug juice and that is what I call a cookout!

Finally, we wrapped up dinner, dragged our full bellies and worn out bodies up to campfire hill to sing some more songs and listen to a story told by Dan Noland. It was so cool to finish the night singing taps and watching each of the cabins descend silently into the night, thinking about the great week ahead.

It sure has been a great week with these boys. Have a great night!

Don Gentle
Associate Director