Mondays always start with a lot of excitement. We had 5 trips out of camp AND another group on the ropes course today. Hiking headed out to High Pisgah late morning. By the time we dropped them off it was almost midday and it was still 68 degrees outside. They will hnag at some higher elevations tonight. Rock climbing had a trip out to Looking Glass Rock this morning. Our mountain bike boys had two trips out today. I was lucky enough to assist with the mornign trip this morning. It was so much fun to hang out and ride with the guys this morning. Paddling had a younger group of guys out as well today. They were hitting their first river trip on the French Broad.
The Mini boys are right into the excitement today. The Hillside boys had a morning on the ropes course. Tomorrow Connestee will get their chance. Tonight, the Lakeside and Flattop guys headed out for their “Chill Night.” They will enjoy a night at the world-famous Sliding Rock with water coming down at about 65 degrees! A chilly event. As if that was not enough, the boys will then head to the locally famous Dolly’s Dairy Bar to finish up the chilling event with a little ice cream. It is one of our favorite evening events that the boys always look forward to attending.
Some parents feel like four weeks of camp is too long. If you ask any of the boys in our month-long session, they will just as soon stay for five. The four weeks adds a lot to a camper’s opportunity. Not only do they enjoy all the fun and excitement of camp, but their skills also progress to levels that equal some of our staff. The level of trips that happen in four weeks is incredible! It gives the boys an opportunity to take a five-day backpacking trip, and then turn around the next week and go on a two-day mountain biking trip. It’s impressive to watch a camper score a 45 in archery (five arrows) at FORTY YARDS! Or like some of the whitewater pictures from last week; young men learning to enjoy class III whitewater in a tandem canoe. It’s important to remember that these boys are not just being “guided” like a tourist through these activities. The boys learn not just to climb, but to be a climber. They not only learn what it means to belay a friend up the rock but also trust a friend to do the same. High Rocks is far from an amusement park.
I don’t want to confuse anyone. Some of these boys have worked several summers to get to this level of skill. I would say that is precisely what makes the reward even more enjoyable. The life skills of learning what it takes to master a skill reach far beyond the trees here at camp. And I haven’t even touched on the lasting friendships and independence they have learned over these last few weeks. I am so thankful for every one of the four-week parents that already understand everything I have mentioned above. Camp is so important in the development of young men!
Our 16 Element High Challenge Course has all sorts of thrill at 25 and 50 feet in the air. We spend the whole morning with our cabinmates instead of our regualr activities. The thrill wraps up with long zip from the top of the tower out toward the barn!
It is hard to believe we only have a few more days left in camp. You wouldn’t know it by the schedule. It is still going full force here at High Rocks…all the way to the end.
Have a great night,
Don
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