Author: Don Gentle

I enjoyed hearing the first wake-up bell of the session ring this morning.  In recent years it has been immediately followed by an energetic “GOOD MORNING HIGH ROCKS.”  It’s been something of a modern tradition that has caught on over the years.  The most excited person lately has been Nate our Camp Chef and kitchen manager. … Continue reading Good Morning High Rocks!

It sure was an incredible opening day! I enjoyed meeting all the new families and campers that have decided to join us for this session.  I am so excited to share the wonder of what we do every day.  My hope is to capture the moment and let you in on a little of what… Continue reading Welcome Junior Campers!

It was a great day to finish the two-week session.  We had a wonderful last morning of activities.  The big adventure was Launch Day for our model rocket crew.  It is always a ton of fun and excitement. The boys are prepped ahead of time for the possibilities of the rocket not returning, crashing on… Continue reading The Best of Times

Tonight, we all had some fun with our age groups for the evening program. As we wrapped up the individual events around 8:30, everyone headed over to our cabin field for a special “wish night” by the lake. A quiet moment where we focus on the four cardinal points that guide us every day; Adventure, Respect,… Continue reading Wish Night

It was such a busy day at High Rocks.  We had several trips out of camp today.  Canoeing took an all-day trip on the Green River today. These are boys that have done the French Broad before and moving on to their next level.  Mountain biking had a morning and afternoon trip out today.  The… Continue reading Waikiki Wednesday

We enjoyed the cool mountain air and light rain on and off throughout the day.  We still climbed, paddled, and did most everything else without a hitch. I think the cooler air made for a nice change.  There are some cool pictures from today’s river trips.  We also had a climbing trip out today and… Continue reading Not Even Fair…

Sundays are special here at High Rocks.  We want to be sure the boys have some time for reflection and to change it up a little bit.  Rest is important.  We give the boys an extra thirty minutes to sleep in on Sundays and we also share some important lessons down by the lake. Today was a… Continue reading Our Only Sunday

The weather was near perfect up here with temperatures at just around 80 degrees for the hot part of the day. There was a light breeze with mostly to partly cloudy skies.  Western North Carolina was meant for summer camp! We are also situated right at 3000 feet, which gives us even a little more… Continue reading Real Place, Real Importance

I really do enjoy the quiet of the morning here at High Rocks. You see a few staff up early or exercise but for the most part, it is still.   I like to take a few minutes on the porch to view the lake and appreciate the moment. The cool mountain air and a mostly… Continue reading Friday Fun and Mudpit

The boys are beginning to figure out the high-energy camp day. They even looked a little winded already this morning.  I think the constant movement and excitement of camp are set in a bit.  You see it in the morning wake-up process. The boys are not jumping out of bed as quickly as they did… Continue reading So Much Fun

As I walked around camp today, I enjoyed seeing all the learning happening. By design, these boys choose their own activities. They choose the path and how to walk it. Of course, there is guidance and some discussion from a mentor on opinions about how best to succeed. Ultimately, it is up to the individual… Continue reading We Get To Choose

I enjoyed hearing the first wake-up bell of the session ring this morning.  In recent years it has been immediately followed by an energetic “GOOD MORNING HIGH ROCKS.”  It’s been something of a modern tradition that has caught on over the years.  The most excited person lately has been Nate our Camp Chef and kitchen manager. … Continue reading Here Comes A Memory