Pictures from June 17, 2011 (password required)

Campers enjoying the view from John Rock in Pisgah National Forest. You can see a good shot of Looking Glass Rock in the distance. We climb there often.

The end of the first week is nearly upon us and today was the first taste of what the next two weeks will be like. With four full camp days under their belts, campers are now experiencing some of the rewards for their hard work and get to show off some new skills. In-camp was in full swing with guys refining their strokes in our canoeing gates, regularly hitting bull’s eyes in riflery/archery, confidently guiding horses along cool new trails, and producing some remarkable projects in pottery and woodworking. Appetites are continuing to increase and almost everyone is sleeping until the wake-up bell as the crew hits that healthy, active camp stride.

Our tripping schedule was loaded today, a foreshadowing of what is to come. Cavers headed out before most people made it up to breakfast armed with coveralls, helmets, headlamps, and excitement running high for the tight crawls and mudslides to come. Climbers were not far behind with a crew bound for the Nose of Looking Glass in Lower Pisgah. Reports were the weather was perfectly conducive for a long, cool day of testing newly learned moves on real rock. Mountain biking headed out with a group of guys intent on putting some serious miles under their wheels, and judging from their tired, satisfied faces at dinner; mission accomplished. Canoeing took the first full day trip of the summer to the Green River which presents tons of technical, challenging rapids for the tandem canoe. Partners practice ferrying, catching eddies, how to read the water, and what to do if you happen to encounter a rock. Another group of guys that looked proud but eager for some downtime this evening. The hikers rounded out our tripping contingent with a jaunt over to the Holmes Educational State Forest where they learned tree identifications and stream ecology. The campers were eager to get a hike in as well and so ended up summiting a nearby mountain at record speed. Once on top, the trip practiced several styles of fire building before descending nearly as fast.

All of camp is showing signs of a week well spent and a new idea of what can be achieved in the next two weeks. The weekend will provide a much needed break with the focus put on goofy fun and spending time with friends before the pace picks up again on Monday. Please enjoy the photos this evening and check back in tomorrow!

Woody Noland
woody@highrocks.com

The Puddle Pals” (Hillside & Connestee) – Capture the Flag
“The Hobbits” (Lakeside & Foxhollow) – Rope Swing/Waterslide
“The Flying Cheesecakes” (Flattop & Chalet) – Dodge ball

“The Titans” (Windswept & Outpost) – Waterslide/Rope Swing

“Group 7” (Halfway & Lookout) – McCallie Ball
 “Shallow Pop Culture Reference” (Pinnacle & Holiday) – Chambers Ball

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!