Summer camp… These words evoke games on a field, overnight camping trips, long sunny days, and sitting up late around a campfire. Parents are regaled with excited stories about favorite counselors, new experiences, friends made, and critters encountered. Where else would a child (or adult!) get the same breadth of experience packed into such an intense few weeks. The stimuli are nearly overwhelming, often resulting in a young camper exclaiming, “I don’t want to leave yet!”

With our population of all boys, that initial assessment is often all we hear at first. But it is in the slow accumulation of stories from parents, moments of reflection from campers, and our observations as staff that another level of camp begins to reveal itself. A current counselor observed about one of his campers: “The concrete skills that Billy learned such as paddling a canoe in a straight line will most likely not help him in his everyday life. However, when he leaves High Rocks, he will certainly take home skills which he won’t even realize that he learned.” Beneath the excitement, there are quieter impacts camp can have, frequently without a camper conscious of them occurring. In this particular time for our country, with every decision being weighed carefully, it is important to look past the surface talk of fun and consider the full value of a camp experience.

When a young camper arrives at High Rocks for the first time, he comes as an individual into a brand new environment. Often for the first time in his life, he now has no one to define him. His is a blank slate to build upon as each choice begins to define who he becomes in this new place. The benefit of camp has already begun as he enters the unknown. A new camper does not know what lies in store for him, how he will do, if he will make friends, but now he knows that he has made a choice; he has decided to brave the fear common to all first time campers and try something exciting, scary, and new. One of our Upper Seniors, the oldest campers and leaders for the rest of camp, reflects on his first time here, “When I first came to camp, I was very bad at making friends. I was under the impression that people would not like me and that I would be shunned. But at camp, people befriended me and I gained self-confidence. In my years coming back to camp, I have tried to do the same with others.”

In the time that follows, the days blend together in a series of activities, trips, meals, and games. Our new camper has made friends, tried many new activities, learned new skills, encountered challenges and experienced fear in pushing himself farther then he considered possible. He has become comfortable with his cabinmates, is part of a team during morning chores, and knows camp’s many secret trails and shortcuts. After stepping into a new world, He is emerging on the other side armed with friendships, memories, skills, and pride in his individual accomplishment. As one current camper put it, “I learned many more things at High Rocks than how to ride a bike. I learned leadership, and when to follow. I learned how to win, and how to lose. I learned how to be who I am today. I will remember that and take seriously the task of orienting, teaching, and leading other boys at camp.”

The second part of that quote reveals another impact of camp. As individual choices are made and changes recognized, our camper also begins to think of his new community. Camp life makes fellowship a necessity.  There is a need to support and be supported in order to face challenges, to attempt the unknown. For campers, this takes the form of pitching in with cabin chores, volunteering for clean up on a camp out, or helping a partner pass the gates course in a canoe. As campers return, their perspective slowly shifts. A returning Upper Senior: “Another skill I am finding to be invaluable is teaching. Having to work in the blazing sun with kids who can’t do things I find very simple is, at the very least, frustrating. As I work with my classmates and younger kids, I have found that the patience and ability to slow things down and move step by step not only helps the other person understand; it helps me learn whatever I am teaching so much better than I ever knew it before.”  Consistently we have seen returning campers take a new guy under their wing, a young camper talk to a peer about how he got over missing home. That respect of others occurs naturally in the camp environment, and will remain with a camper far beyond his years here….

Woody Noland
(For the rest of the story, check out the High Rocks Alumni newsletter coming to your mailbox!  If you can’t wait, download the newsletter today.)

Tsali exploring her suddenly new world...

This weekend our area was hit with the biggest snowstorm in years, covering Camp in more then eight inches of snow!  The roads were impassable, the lake frozen over, and our fireplaces were kept blazing.  Once the storm had passed however,  it was time to get outside.  While Crescent is an old hand at cold weather, this is Tsali’s first winter ever, and she was fascinated by Camp’s new look.

And now she's getting the hang of this snow thing.

With help from Cantrell Construction, the county Game Warden, and our very own Danny Stewart, the camp road was cleared just in time for a visit by a group of last year’s summer staff.  There was plenty of snow left to turn Campfire Hill into a prime destination for some winter fun.

The moment of truth...

It took concentration to miss the briar patch.

The snow train attempt, from the left - Benjamin Birdsong, Ben Little, Andy Glas, Liz Walker, Scott Martin, Mark Birdsong.

Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year!!

Don Gentle, Liz Walker, Will Leverette, and Sam Sommers at Adventure Education Conference

I just got back form Brevard College’s Adventure Education Conference.  Each year BC along with Western, Montreat, and Warren Wilson rotate to host a small conference in the fall focusing on adventure programming and outdoor experiences.  They target a number of small area colleges and universities.  Students from Warren Wilson, Western Carolina, Mars Hill, Montreat, Southwestern Community College were in attendance.

Camp High Rocks’ own Will Leverette was the opening keynote speaker.  Will did a presentation on his new book, The History of Whitewater Paddling in Western North Carolina.  For those of you who do not know it, Will is a family member of High Rocks.  His Aunt and Uncle started Camp High Rocks and his grandfather started Camp Mondamin.  He spent many years growing up and working at camp, mostly the paddling program. 

Of course, Camp High Rocks, along with Mondamin, Green Cove, and Camp Merrie-Woode were the pioneers of organized paddling on many of our area rivers, including The Nantahala and the Chatooga River.  It was great to here Camp High Rocks come up so often during this presentation.  I felt part of something larger than myself and proud to be part of the paddling history here at camp.

Liz Walker, who was our Assistant Head of Mountain Biking for the summer of 2009, was also a presenter at the conference.  Liz is a senior at Brevard College and presented a session on “Sustainability in Outdoor Programs.”

Finally, Sam Sommers just happened to be in town for a couple days and decided to come over and see Will’s presentation.  Sam is currently living in Rochester, NY and was looking into the possibility of an outdoor job down here in Western North Carolina.  Sam has over 10 years at High Rocks, both as a camper and staff. His tenure spanned the late seventies, through the nineties.  He was an avid paddler when he was here, so he was very excited to see Will’s presentation.

It was great to have such a wonderful High Rocks representation at this small conference.  I enjoyed meeting several students who may be interested in working at camp for the 2010 summer season.  What a great way to spend my Friday!

take care,

Don

We  just wrapped up our fall camper recruiting here at High Rocks. Our travels took us to over thirty different cities throughout the Southeast, Midwest and New England!  We all enjoyed re-visiting with campers and families from the summer as well as having a chance to meet and introduce new families to the Camp High Rocks experience!

Our new video was finished just in time fro travels season.  We heard many favorable reviews about it; if you have not had a chance to see it, follow this High Rocks Video link.

Here are some pictures from our various travels. Click on any of the images to get the full picture.

Many, many thanks to all of our families who hosted such great events!  It was a pleasure to visit with all of you; we couldn’t have pulled it off without you!  Have a great school year; we look forward to seeing you this summer!

Don Gentle

The American Camp Association® (ACA) announced today that CAMP HIGH ROCKS has received ACA-Accredited®Camp status for 2010. On July 29, two ACA standards visitors reviewed the Camp High Rocks program by interviewing directors, program staff, nurses, kitchen managers, and campers as well as  looking over nearly 300 protocols and supporting written documentation.

“ACA Accreditation means that Camp High Rocks submitted to a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management — and complied with the highest standards in the industry,” said Cindy Moore, National Standards Commission.

“Parents expect their children to attend accredited schools.  They also deserve a camp experience that is reviewed and accredited by an expert, independent organization,” Moore said.

“CAMP HIGH ROCKS and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety,” said Don Gentle, Associate Director, “ACA accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality camp programming.”

Camp High Rocks is currently the only camp in the nation that is Accreditated by the American Camp Association and the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). AEE focuses more on high adventure activities like rocks climbing, whitewater canoeing, mountain biking, and backpacking.  AEE accredits adventure programs like NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and Project Adventure, as well as other outdoor university programs and and schools.  Camp High Rocks was the very first program to be accredited by AEE back in 1994.  We enjoy how the two accreditations compliment each other and help keep our program not only on top of industry standards but focused on some of the best practices available.

Below is an excerpt from Associate Director, Don Gentle that was posted on our daily picture blog and update during the July Session.

July 1st, 2009

Ah, cabin overnights!  It is one of the few longtime traditions here at High Rocks that still stands strong today! We are so fortunate to have over 1000 acres to play on without even leaving camp! As you may know, we typically start our cabin overnights the first few nights of the session. We start with the oldest guys and give the youngest guys a few more nights to get used to their new surroundings and settle in to a schedule. It is such a great way to pull the cabin group together. Each group heads out to one of our five open-air shelters on the property for the night. They packout dinner, and just enough to get by for the night (typically, sleeping bag, ground pad, toothbrush, flashlight, and a water bottle; some bring pillows and other “comforts”). Don’t worry mom (dad), the nurse packs use our first aid kit, and any evening meds and PRN’s that are necessary for the night. The hike itself is may be a mile to the farthest shelter, so the hike is only a short part of it. Now some hikes have taken a little longer if the counselor and campers get a little turned around, but that’s usually part of a great story that will last a lifetime!

 The best part is that the guys just spend an evening with “pita pizzas” over the stove ’til you drop, a campfire with s’mores, and hangin’ out with your cabin group. The guys typically stay up late, play games around the fire, and finally joke and laugh until they are beat tired. They all return to camp just in time to drop off their packs, wash their hands, and head to breakfast. Sorry mom, they don’t get a shower until the next night; but that’s what makes it camp. Some of my favorite stories I have heard from campers and staff come as a result of the “cabin overnights.” Be sure to check out the great pictures from the first night of overnights.

 The July Session takes off so fast! Trips headed in a number of directions today with a river trip, caving trip, and climbing trip out of camp already! I included a file of all the special events for the session. Most are trips out of camp, but some are just plain fun. Use it as an outline for the session. Here’s the link: Schedule for the July Session!

 Have a great night!

Don Gentle

Associate Director

don@highrocks.com

Below is an excerpt from Director, Hank Birdsong’s daily picture blog and update.  We post pictures and add a little update about what is going on at camp every night of the summer for parents.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Lots has been going on today, leading up to parent’s day on Friday- a total of seven trips were out of camp today! Some were day trips, some were overnights that returned today including the two-day paddling trip on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga was made famous by the movie “Deliverance” with Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty. Fortunately, none of the boys had seen the movie or they might not have slept too well!! If you look past the plot line of the movie there is beautiful scenery and great whitewater along the Georgia – South Carolina boundary. One of the boys swam from Georgia to South Carolina at one calm spot on the river!

Whitewater Paddling Instruction!

Tonight is cabin night, a final night for cabin group activities and a time to look back over the accomplishments made during the session.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of you on Friday morning. You are welcome to bring family and friends – we make plenty of lunch to cover guests that aren’t in our original count. If you know of anyone that is interested in a camp session for their son, they are also welcome to join us & see what we are all about firsthand.

Climbing on Looking Glass Rock!

Remember, the guys will be ready to see you about 9:45am, please do not plan to arrive until after 9:00am when we have staff in place to load trunks. The campers will be singing all of their favorite songs in assembly that morning until about 9:40. After you stop by the gym and get your son’s trunk loaded you will park in campfire field. After assembly ends, your son can show you around his activities and demonstrate the skills he learned throughout the session.

Owen with Pegasus

Lunch will be served for everyone beginning around 11:30am, but feel free to continue visiting with your son’s counselors and friends. On your way out, don’t forget to check in at the office to pick up your son’s envelope with cabins pictures, store account refund (maybe), and other important items. Also be sure to check out the picture tree- if you see a picture with your son in it, feel free to take it home.

Today will be the last day of pictures for the session, I hope you have enjoyed viewing them through the session.

See you in a few days,

–Hank Birdsong

Summer is here!  We are just ten days into our June Session and everything is in full swing!  Every camper has already been out on an overnight on the property.  There is a climbing, paddling, hiking, and mountain biking trip about every day the rest of the session. It sure is a lot of fun!

Fishing on our 11 acre lake!

As we embark on our fifty-second summer, it is fun to see how many things have changed but what is compelling is how much it has stayed the same.  We still focus on the same philosophies that started camp over a half-century ago.  Our mission still focuses on the individual, independence, and encouraging teamwork.  Even though we have added some new activities, many of them are still the same just a little better with changes in technology and the advent of risk management.

A little "Capture the Flag" with a cabin group!

It is still amazing to me to see how much these boys get out of camp.  These guys learn so much.  They are aware of a lot of it, but it’s fun to see the little things.  For example, I don’t think there is one camper here that says “gee, I sure am excited to share a room with five other guys.”  Nearly all of our boys here have their own bedroom at home.  Learning to live with five other guys is such a great experience.  They all have to clean up, share, and even “put-up” with one another; but they also get to enjoy, learn, and respect one another.  Some of these guys come back year after year and request to be in the same cabin.  One of the first things they ask is “who is in my cabin this year?”  Of course, with boys, they are best friends for a few weeks, and then they will not talk again for 11 months until they see each other at camp again!

A lifetime of friendships!

I can’t wait to see what this summer has in store for all of us.  I am certain we will all learn something and have a whole lot of fun!

We just had our third annual Father/Son Weekend here at High Rocks this past weekend!  This year we hosted about 28 families.  The weather was great, with only a little rain here and there until Sunday.  Activities included the High Ropes Course, Climbing Tower, Archery, Riflery, Canoeing on the lake, a French Broad Canoe Float, Dupont Waterfall Hike, tennis, soccer, and mostly a lot of fishing!  It was a great success and was much warmer this year than the previous two. 

We sure had a lot of fun getting to know some new campers, dads, and potential campers.  Follow the link for a full picture gallery of the event.  Father-Son Pictures