Author: Don Gentle

I want to welcome all our Mini II families to our nightly gathering and give you some information about what to expect ahead. Some nights will have more than others, but my hope is to give you a sense of what we did today and maybe (probably) some lessons along the way.  It is so… Continue reading Welcome Mini II Campers!

A perfect Sunday for our four-week boys to ease into the day and take a breather for a bit. Breakfast kicked off with scratch-made cinnamon rolls! I watched them roll out right on the table, head to the proofer, the oven, and finally the glazing! Super awesome! Of course, it was combined with assorted cereals,… Continue reading A Sunday Reflection

It was a perfect morning to say goodbye to our Mini I campers and parents. We wrapped up assembly with a big send-off as they all made their way back to their cabins. Zoob and I were able to greet every family as they arrived. The boys were excited to see their parents but didn’t… Continue reading Mini I Close and Illahee Dance

Today was another busy one with all sorts of excitement. The weather has been steady in the low 80s for most of the week. It’s warm enough to want to swim and not too hot to feel awful when the activity is a little more intense. Today we had a two-day climb head out to… Continue reading Life Is Good on the Mountain

Today started with a bang, or should I say a guitar.  Jimmy Hendrix belted out the Star Spangled Banner for wake-up.  It has been a tradition for a number of years here at High Rocks. It was a fun treat for the boys coming back fresh from their cabin overnights. When I say fresh, it is sort… Continue reading Independence Day!

Mondays always start with a bang.  It’s like the beginning of a horse race as all these “trip-eager” boys who were all stuck on our 1000-acre facility all weekend feel like they need to get out and do something. I know, it sounds awful being “stuck” here!  Anyhow, we tend to have all sorts of… Continue reading Still Crushing It!

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 Goldrush Sunday

I love Saturdays at High Rocks!  In the 29 (now my 30th) summers I have been here, there have always been pancakes on Saturday. It’s just what we do.  Our Chef Lee makes the recipe in one of those giant Hobart floor mixers and always uses real eggs and real buttermilk.  It does make a… Continue reading Pancake Saturday

Another great day here at The Rocks! We had the usual early climbers up this morning to head out to Pilot Rock. They even helped out with the bell ringing this morning. We also had two young Mini camper groups of paddlers hit some moving water for the first time. Finally, the mountain bikers took… Continue reading Watch The Magic Happen

I know the four-week parents have heard this a bit, but I love the mornings here at High Rocks! The cool air in the 60s each morning is what does it the most. I must be honest the calm and quiet that is the morning might be a little why I like it too. In… Continue reading Waikiki Wednesday

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.  I really enjoy the mornings at camp.   I almost feel like camp should start… Continue reading Here Comes the Adventure!

I love opening day! For me, I am just as excited to see the parents as I am to see the campers. It sure was a wonderful morning. I call it “brochure” weather or a “Chamber Day.” It’s where the weather is nearly perfect and the scene is amazing. A light breeze, sunshine, blue skies… Continue reading Four Week and Mini I Opening Day!