Generated by All in One SEO Pro v4.9.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Camp High Rocks North Carolina Summer Camp for Boys ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.highrocks.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/end-game-and-final-campfire-11/) - End Game and Final Campfire I can’t believe it has been three weeks already! OK, just two weeks for a few folks. There was no rest today as we blasted out the last day of the session with gusto! What an incredible group of young men. We played hard, we laughed hard, we cried a - [Watch the Magic Happen](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/07/watch-the-magic-happen-2/) - Watch The Magic Happen It warm but it sure is wonderful! We are taking advantage of our lake this week for sure! It sure was great to see all the guys in their activities for several days. You can already see the magic or success and progress. Check out some of our first trip pictures - [Swinging into the Weekend](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/07/swinging-into-the-weekend/) - Swinging into the Weekend I don’t know if I’m acclimating to the heat or if it was just a bit cooler today, but this morning was nice on top of the mountain. A light breeze and some tired campers made for a rather peaceful start to our Friday, and the end to our “work” week.The - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/07/waikiki-wednesday-17/) - Waikiki Wednesday The heat is on out there! While life at 3000 feet still has its advantages, we did aproach 85 degrees today! It was nice and cool this morning, and the temperature dropped nicely as the sun faded. Life in the mountains rocks! You will notice several Hawaiian Themed shirts in the pictures tonight. - [Tie Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/tie-dye-tuesday-11/) - Tie Dye Tuesday Every morning waking up at camp is a fun one as each camp day holds so much promise of fun, food, activities, and the unknown. Today might have held a bit more in that it was the first full day of our session and the first with activities running. It was also - [July Sessions Opening Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/july-sessions-opening-day-3/) - July Sessions Opening Day It sure was a wonderful morning to welcome in all our July campers! I really enjoy visiting with parents and catching up with new and reutnring campers. As the arrivals trickled down to just a few remaining campers who were flying, it was time to get up to lunch. The first meal - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-7/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It was another sunny at High Rocks! The breeze kept it wonderful as the last of the trips were heading out this morning. Boys headed over to the Nantahala River for paddling. The climbers took off to The Nose of Looking Glass Rock in Pisgah. Mountain biking had morning - [Living the Dream](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/living-the-dream/) - Living the Dream This last Tuesday of the session had an early drizzly start as the night rain slowly tapered off. Needless to say, the morning was a little bit slow in getting going as campers are feeling two and a half weeks of camp. The beds feel cozier, the pillow seems deeper, those loud - [Only Three Days Left](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/only-three-days-left/) - Only Three Days Left It was another great weather day at High Rocks! Warm, sunny, with a fantastic breeze all day long! The sailboats had a blast on the lake today! If you do not see your son, it is likely he is out on a trip today. We had several trips out the door this - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-7/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then headed down to the lake for our morning service. Zoob led us in a great - [Square Dance Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/square-dance-saturday-3/) - Square Dance Saturday It sure is nice to have everyone back in camp on Saturday. After a busy week of trips, there are some boys you have not seen for several days in a row. Most activities were running normally with a few added twists here and there. Climbing had “challenge day” where the guys - [Into The Weekend](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/into-the-weekend-2/) - Heading Into the Weekend It is the end of our second “work” week, though that doesn’t mean there was any knocking it off early for our camper crew this Friday! Yet another cool, clear morning with the bell ringing loud to get everyone moving. Breakfast was a southern affair of sausage biscuits, gravy, grits, berries/fruit, - [A Swell Wind Blows](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/a-swell-wind-blows/) - A Swell Wind Blows A windy beginning to the day as a cool breeze came fresh off the lake and through each cabin in camp. The wake-up bell rang out and a group of early eaters did too, wishing all of camp a “Good Morning High Rocks!” at the top of their lungs.The morning cheer - [Community Takes All of Us](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/community-takes-all-of-us/) - Community Takes All of US It’s hard to believe that we have passed the halfway point already and only have nine days left of camp. Our second Waikiki Wednesday was quite delightful. I really enjoy the number of Hawaiian-style shirts that spread throughout the High Rocks community. It was the perfect outfit for a wonderful - [The Midpoint](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/the-midpoint/) - The Midpoint Living in the mountains is wonderful for many reasons, and waking up this morning was one of them. It was chilly! A light breeze and sunny skies only accentuated the temperature in the upper 50s as the wake up bell rang out. What a treat to start a summer day with a sweatshirt - [A Challenge Is a Good Thing](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/a-challenge-is-a-good-thing-2/) - A Challenge is a Good Thing It almost felt like camp was beginning the work week after such a relaxing Sunday. It was a busy morning with rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking all eating early to get out of camp for an all-day or overnight adventure. We jumped right into assembly and activities as we - [Welcome June Mini Campers!](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/welcome-june-mini-campers-3/) - Heading We love Sundays at High Rocks! They are typically a little more chill than the rest of the week. We wake up a little later, and the morning is at a much slower pace. However, that slower pace does include getting our laundry up to breakfast in the morning. It doesn’t sound like a - [Saturdays Rock](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/saturdays-rock-2/) - Saturdays Rock I love Saturdays at High Rocks! In the 30 summers I have been here, there have always been pancakes on Saturday. It’s just what we do. Our Chef Nate makes the recipe in one of those giant Hobart floor mixers and always uses real eggs and real buttermilk. It does make a difference. - [A Fantastic Friday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/a-fantastic-friday/) - Fantastic Friday This morning was a gorgeous start to our first Friday of the session. While it is hard to believe that we are already heading into the weekend, the week has flown by in a way that only camp can do.Today promised that same bustling activity with our youngest cabin overnighters returning in the early - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/jersday-thursday-8/) - Heading As I mentioned yesterday, today was going to be a themed jersey day alos know as Jersday Thursday! There were so many cool jerseys out there today! Some boys had full on kits going on. It sure felt like a perfect camp day at High Rocks. A nice high-pressure day with a little breeze and - [Waikiki Wednesday!](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/waikiki-wednesday-16/) - Waikiki Wednesday You will notice several Hawaiian Themed shirts in the pictures tonight. Some of the guys really go out of the way to look good on Waikiki Wednesday. I am not sure when some of these theme days started, but many have been going on for decades. We don’t have something every day, but - [Tie Dyes and Tigers](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/tie-dyes-and-tigers/) - Tie Dyes, Tigers, and Tacos Who cares if it rains. We still have camp! The morning greeted us with a little rain before waking up this morning. It made for a cool and slightly ominous event. The rain passed just after the wake-up bell, which allowed us all to get to breakfast easily. The overnight - [The Adventure Begins](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/the-adventure-begins-4/) - The Adventure Begins! The first morning of the June Session. It’s SO quiet before the bell rings. I enjoyed a little coffee while my golden “Biscuit” and I hung out on the back deck of the camp house. It’s a delightful way to start the day as the sun rises over the lake. There are - [2026 Camp High Rocks Kick-Off](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/06/2026-camp-high-rocks-kick-off/) - 2026 Camp High Rocks Summer Open The 2026 High Rocks Camp season was off to a great start this morning! I had so much fun welcoming our June Campers! Of course, there was plenty of excitement/nervousness around. Even for the staff today, we all felt a little excited/nervous as it was opening day for all - [Climbing Progression at High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/04/climbing-progression-at-high-rocks/) - Rock Climbing at Camp High Rocks Rock Climbing at High Rocks is more than just reaching a summit. As a premier climbing program, technical progression is central to our program. Campers are guided through a progression that meets each boy where he is, supporting him as he builds strength and confidence. (Really, we know you - [The "CT" Bridge](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/03/the-ct-bridge/) - The "CT" Bridge There are many structures at Camp High Rocks that bring back fond memories of our time while we were once campers or staff. For most of the boys, their cabins are some of the most lasting memories of their experience. The CT Bridge is a small, unremarkable structure that few think about - [Our UK Trip](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/03/our-uk-trip/) - Our Hiring Trip to the UK At the end of February, Don, Zoob, and I were fortunate enough to once again head to the UK on a mission to hire some British staff members for the upcoming summer. It was our second time participating in the series of staffing fairs organized by Camp America and, - [Not Every Camp Day Is Perfect, and That’s the Point](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/02/not-every-camp-day-is-perfect/) - Many days at camp feel special. Other days stretch us in ways that end up mattering just as much. - [Camp Is A Blast!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/camp-is-a-blast/) - Camp Is A Blast! Camp is a Blast! This morning was a cloudy and cool start to the camp day which made for a delightful breaking of our fasts over eggs, oatmeal coffee cake, fruit, and more. Assembly was quick to get underway this morning and proceeded to jam on many of the favorite tunes - [Alumni Spotlight: Burke Ingraffia](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/01/alumni-spotlight-burke-ingraffia/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Burke Ingraffia Our Alumni Spotlight series is back! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. We are thrilled to introduce you to Burke Ingraffia, a longtime High Rocks camper and counselor. Burke was a camper from 1978 to 1982 and a counselor from 1988 to 1991 as well as another - [How To Support A Nervous Camper Before Overnight Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2026/01/how-to-support-a-nervous-camper-before-overnight-camp/) - Support your child who is nervous before sleepaway camp. Learn how to talk about worries, prepare at home, and build confidence before camp begins. - [Summer 2025 Highlight Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/12/summer-2025-highlight-video/) - 2025 Summer Highlight Video Get Ready to Relive Summer 2025!We can’t wait for everyone to see our Summer 2025 Highlight Video and be reminded of our amazing summer together!Click below to access the video on our Youtube page! - [Mountain Biking at Camp High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/12/mountain-biking-at-camp-high-rocks/) - Watch our NEW video! Progression is the heart of our mountain biking summer camp. From learning the basics to riding real trails, boys build confidence one skill at a time. - [Opting Outside this Thanksgiving](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/11/opting-outside-this-thanksgiving/) - Swap kids screen time for fresh air. Camp High Rocks helps kids unplug, connect, and grow through outdoor activities and gratitude. Camp builds gratitude. - [Alumni News & Live Updates](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/11/alumni-news-2025/) - Alumni News & Life Updates Our alumni community continues to grow and shine! Check out these recent life updates, milestones, and photos shared by members of our community. Staff Alumni, Siobhan Murphy Ecklund Siobhan and husband, Royce, welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Parker Rae Eklund in Kilkenny, Ireland. Parker was born on October 1st, 2025. - [Veteran's Day Salute](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/11/veterans-day-salute/) - In our Veteran's Day Salute, we highlight of few of camp's own veteran, Sumner McBee Williams, Jr. and his father, Sumner McBee Williams. - [The Magic We’ll Miss (and What We’re Grateful For)](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/the-magic-well-miss-and-what-were-grateful-for/) - As summer 2025 winds down, we reflect on the magic of camp, the moments we’ll miss, and all we’re grateful for at Camp High Rocks. - [The Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/the-best-of-times/) - Best of Times Time sure flies in just one week. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. The boys wandered in this morning with a wonderful greasy, ashen, marshmallow look about them. I think I even saw a few specks of tomato sauce in the - [The Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/the-best-of-times-4/) - The Best of Times Time sure flies in just one week. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. The boys wandered in this morning with a wonderful greasy, ashen, marshmallow look about them. I think I even saw a few specks of tomato sauce in - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/jersday-thursday-7/) - Jersday Thursday Thursday got off to a beautiful start this morning. The sun was poking through clouds and camp was cool after a solid rainstorm late last night. As the wake-up bell tolled out, the typical morning noises commenced and the day was off to the races!Breakfast consisted of some delicious grits, boiled eggs, sausage, - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/waikiki-wednesday-15/) - Waikiki Wednesday It is a true adventure here every day. Some of the time just getting ready for the day is an adventure. I enjoyed cruising through the cabins during clean-up time this morning. Many of the young guys are doing their best to just get their clothes on straight, let alone get the bed made - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/end-game-and-final-campfire-10/) - End Game and Final Campfire Time sure flies in just two weeks. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. After a fun morning of some activity wrap-up, pony painting, and general excitement, we took a brief break to get packed before the big event of the - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/tie-dye-tuesday-10/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday Today dawned cool and cloudy, fog rolling over the lake and all was remarkably still. Still, but not necessarily quiet. If you listened closely you could hear the chatterings of some excited young campers (well!) before the wake up bell officially began the day. The bell sounded and the chatterings became something more - [Welcome Junior Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/welcome-junior-campers-5/) - Welcome Junior Campers It was so great to meet everyone today. I want to thank all the parents for putting on a brave face during those morning showers. It really was not too bad, but I am sure it made the guys just a little more nervous. I really enjoyed all the excitement during drop - [Just One More!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/just-one-more/) - Just One More! Today was our last full day of activities. We still had a couple of trips out today. Hiking took full day hike to Panther Town for another waterfall hike. The rock climbers were out for another trip to the High Rocks. Outpost finally got their High Ropes experience in this morning. We - [Not Far Now](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/not-far-now-6/) - Not Far Now It sure was another great morning here at High Rocks! It was nice to see the temperatures warm back up and we all welcomed the sun back in our lives. We missed him! I enjoyed the cool and quiet morning as hiked up to the dining hall. I made it up to - [Rain-a-Palooza](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/rain-a-palooza/) - Rain-a-Palooza After a summer of clear mornings that hint at the day’s heat yet to come, this morning continued a change in weather to start this week. The morning was a bit chilly. The blankets were pulled up firmly and man was it quiet out in camp right up to the bell. In some cabins, - [It's The Grit That Counts](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/its-the-grit-that-counts/) - It's All About the Journey It sure was a busy Monday! We had several trips out the door this morning. Even our rock climbing trip headed out to do some rappelling while the wet rock was going to be too much of a challenge. Mountain biking hit the trails. Canoeing enjoyed the river at a - [Carnival Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/carnival-sunday-4/) - Carnival Sunday So, Sundays at camp are always a little different. We like to slow down a bit, think about the week we just completed, and ponder on the week ahead. This morning almost made you want to sleep in . A cool 60 degrees out there today. Although I still woke up early, it - [Saturday Fun Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/saturday-fun-day/) - Saturday Fun Day For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks’ history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much larger - [TGIF at Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/08/tgif-at-camp-2/) - TGIF at Camp This first Friday of the session began shrouded in the mist on the lake that makes the water seem endless. It was quiet in camp, the mist serving to make bunks even cozier while the camp schedule slowly makes our guys thankful for a few extra minutes of lie in.What once was - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/jersday-thursday-6/) - Jersday Thursday This morning I enjoyed watching the guys roll in from the woods after their overnights. The stories of the “grit” these overnights teach us are always enjoyable. They even create the best memories. I enjoy hearing about how late they stayed up, who ate the most pita pizzas, or even how bad the - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/waikiki-wednesday-14/) - Waikiki Wednesday It was a delightful morning here on the mountain. Life at 3000 feet has its advantages. The blue sky stayed nearly all day. The morning breeze picked up as the temperature began to change. It made for a welcoming morning. While it was warm today, we still save a few degrees from Brevard - [Tie-Dye Taco Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/tie-dye-taco-tuesday/) - Tie-Dye Taco Tuesday This first full day of camp was a sunny, breezy start to the session! As you can imagine, our guys were not nearly as interested in sleeping until the wake-up bell when instead they could be up and peering through their cabin windows, chatting with bunkmates, and even beginning the morning routine.The - [Welcome August Two-Week Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/welcome-august-two-week-campers/) - Welcome August Two-Week 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 enjoy meeting new families and connecting with old friends as well. After over 30 years here at High Rocks, I am even seeing - [Not Far Now!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/not-far-now/) - Not Far Now! It is getting close now! The boys are trying to get that last adventure out of the session before time runs out. We still have the horseback riding “Drill Team” presentation and the final round of the camper-counselor tennis tournament. These are just a few of the last morsels of goodness we - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-6/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night What a full day of fun! We still had boys out on trips in several activities including paddling, climbing, and hiking. Some of the boys today just made it into kayaking, and a number of boys just reached their highest rank, the High Rocks Archer, in archery.Tonight, most of camp - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/end-game-and-final-campfire-9/) - End Game and Final Campfire It was a wonderful finish to our July session today. We kicked off the day with our advanced horseback riders giving us a drill team show in the big ring. The next big event was the final match of the second annual Biscuit Disc Golf Tournament. It has taken weeks - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-6/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then a little time before heading down to the lake for our morning service. Our Sunday - [Getting It Done](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/getting-it-done/) - Getting It Done This final Tuesday of the session had clear skies to start with a strong cool breeze blowing through camp. The sky was a bright blue and no hint of the predicted rains to come later in the day. Rain or not, when that bell rings the camper hordes assemble quickly for breakfast and - [Five Days to Go?!?](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/five-days-to-go-2/) - Five Days to Go Today we were back out on trips and enjoying the fruits of their labor over these last few weeks. The boys are working hard and having a blast. Climbing, paddling, and mountain biking has trips out today. In camp, the boys are enjoying their activities and time together. Even tennis and - [The Last Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/the-last-saturday/) - Last Saturday Wow! What a beautiful day! Blue skies with just enough clouds to make it pretty. I love Saturday mornings because it is one of the few mornings we do not have an executive team meeting. It allows me to enjoy the morning a little bit more.Hiking enjoyed some car camping days. Picture a - [Fridays on the Mountain](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/fridays-on-the-mountain/) - Fridays on the Mountain This third (or first!) Friday of the session was a sunny one for our crew. Camp was off to the races not long after the bell, with some of our intrepid explorers heading out even before.Climbers actually met at the bell in time to be part of the ringing and quickly - [The Story Tells Itself](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/the-story-tells-itself/) - The Story Tells Itself It was a strange cloudy wake-up this morning. The air was still a little warm as I headed up to the dining hall for our morning meeting. Boys were assembling outside to eat early so they could head out on their trip. During our morning meeting, the “mini men” continued to wander - [Waikiki Wednesday-Again!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/waikiki-wednesday-again/) - Waikiki Wednesday -Again Another Waikiki Wednesday was upon us. Many of the boys broke out their favorite Hawaiian-style shirts and took part in the fun! Our Mini II boys were tearing it up in their second full day of activities. It was a beautiful day. Our cloudy morning moved to slightly cooler weather and sun - [Tie Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/tie-dye-tuesday-9/) - Tie Dye Tuesday This third week is off and running with trips flying out of camp while our new group of Mini II fellas settle into the camp rhythm.Today was another warm start to the day. A nice breeze coming in off of the lake made for an enthusiastic ringing of the bell and started - [Welcome Mini II Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/welcome-mini-ii-campers-5/) - Welcome Mini II Campers After a festive Sunday the crowds appeared a little winded this morning. There was not the typical stampede at the door as the boys were just sauntering up after the bell rang for breakfast. There was still plenty going on including many trips out today. Hiking, climbing, canoeing, and mountain biking all - [Sunday Reflection and Illahee Field Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/sunday-reflection-and-illahee-field-day/) - Sunday Reflection and Illahee Day A perfect Sunday for our four-week boys to ease into the day and take a breather for a bit. Breakfast kicked off with doughnuts! Of course, it was combined with assorted cereals, scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal, and an extended fruit bar with yogurt. A great way to kick off a - [Mini I Close and Illahee Dance](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/mini-i-close-and-illahee-dance-2/) - Mini I Close and Illahee Dance 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 - [Mountain Life](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/mountain-life/) - It was another fantastic day here On The Rocks.The two-day climbing trip took off today. Mountain bikers hit the sweet slick rock section in Dupont called Big Rock. The hikers (featured above) spent the day up in High Pisgah. This short from Black Balsam was amazing! Paddling had some little guys hit a local section - [End of the "Work" Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/end-of-the-work-week-6/) - End of the "Work" Week This second Friday is the midpoint of camp for some, and the last night of the session for our Mini I guys. The day got a great start with cooler temperatures encouraging people in for breakfast. Many went down to a rocking assembly afterwards with movement songs aplenty to get - [Wonderful Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/wonderful-wednesday/) - Wonderful Wednesday It was another warm sunny day here at High Rocks. Trips were a little lighter today with mountain biking having two trips out and then the climbers also had a trip out. Hikers and paddlers were in camp today. The big event of the day, was our senior rafting trip. All of age - [A Day for the Lake](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/a-day-for-the-lake/) - A Day for the Lake Today was a hot and sunny one on the mountain. By the start of activities, it was clear that shady trees and water bottles were going to be key afternoon freetime ingredients. The continued dry weather also meant everyone hit the ground running from morning cleanup on. Trips were cruising out - [Summer Solstice](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/summer-solstice/) - Summer Solstice We are cranking into the second weekend of the session. I can’t believe we are already two weeks in! Time at camp passes in a funny way. Days seem like they go on forever while weeks flash by. Today is the summer solstice and what other way to spend the longest day of - [Still Crushing It!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/still-crushing-it/) - HeadingStill Crushing It! 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 - [Taking a Break](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/taking-a-break/) - Taking A Break 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. For our four week guys, it is important to understand that this session is an expedition. There is plenty of time to - [Pancake Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/pancake-saturday-4/) - Pancake Saturday 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 - [Independence Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/independence-day-2/) - Independence Day It was great to see so many of the guys who brought festive items for the Independence Day celebration. The dining hall was covered with red, white, and blue. We brought up our own basket of “flair” the guys to use as well. We belted out “freedom music” all morning.Independence Day is a - [It's All About the Lesson](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/its-all-about-the-lesson-2/) - It's All About the Lesson The flow of camp is already in full force. Boys are heading out on trips, learning new skills, and making this summer at High Rocks THEIR experience.I hope you have enjoyed some of the pictures showing all the instruction going on here at High Rocks. These boys are really learning - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/waikiki-wednesday-13/) - Waikiki Wednesday 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 (63 to be exact) each morning is what does it the most. I must be honest the calm and quiet that is the morning might be a little - [Get Ready to Adventure](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/07/get-ready-to-adventure/) - Get Ready to Adventure I enjoyed the first glance of the lake this morning as the sun flickered in the slightly rippling water with a few water bugs here and there that looked like rain drops. I enjoyed an early morning up at the camp house with some coffee and a couple of leftover biscuits - [July Sessions Opening Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/july-sessions-opening-day-2/) - July Sessions Opening Day 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 enjoy meeting new families and connecting with old friends as well. After over 30 years here at High Rocks, I am even - [Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/final-campfire/) - Last Day and Final Campfire Here’s to another wonderful session and a great June! When you meet up with your son tomorrow, I can’t guarantee he has a clean shirt left. What I can tell you is that he has had a great time and he is tired. While he may be excited to see - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-5/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It was another sunny and warm day today. The breeze kept it tolerable as the last of the trips were heading out this morning. Boys headed over to the Nantahala River for paddling. The climbers took off to The Nose of Looking Glass Rock in Pisgah. Mountain biking and - [Mountain Life is Good](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/mountain-life-is-good/) - Mountain Life is Good Today was clear, breezy, and warm to start the day. Though much of the East Coast is sweltering under temperatures much hotter than we get on the mountain, these couple of days have been notable. It has certainly made the lake a prime destination for activities and for free time options!Already - [We Love Mondays](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/we-love-mondays/) - We Love Mondays I sure had a wonderful Monday. I was able to lead a boy of mountain bikers this morning. I really like taking moments like that where a guy my age gets to show these boys he still has a little steam left in the engine. We headed over to Dupont State Forest. - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-5/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then a little bounce-around time in assembly before heading down to the lake for our - [Square Dance Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/square-dance-saturday-2/) - Square Dance Saturday Saturday morning at High Rocks means pancakes and it has for almost 60 years. Certainly, every Saturday I have been here in the summer we have had pancakes. Over the last few years, we have even gone old-school and moved back to the made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes. In the past, I used to - [Jersday Thursday Again](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/jersday-thursday-again-3/) - Jersday Thursday Again Life is good on the mountain! Not only do we enjoy all the wonderful views, cool mornings, a passing shower, and even wonderful sunsets. Mountain life has many advantages. Especially, life at 3000 feet. This morning it was a cool 50 degrees. We got to about 78 degrees today. Our elevation allows - [Over The Hump](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/over-the-hump/) - Over The Hump It was another mountain morning up at High Rocks! Life at 3000 feet sure feels different. I really enjoy the cool mornings. I think it makes it feel like camp. Put on a cozy sweatshirt and by the end of breakfast, it’s down to the tee shirt. Really, the June session campers - [Those Magical Camp Moments](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/those-magical-camp-moments/) - Those Magical Camp Moments Today dawned bright and cool. A light breeze off the lake made that extra blanket feel good until the morning bell rousted camp from their beds. With the morning feeling so routine now, cabin crews worked efficiently through their morning chores and arrived to ready for breakfast. The schedule has become - [Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/best-of-times/) - Best of Times Our Monday started off with a bang as climbing, paddling, and mountain biking had trips out the door early this morning. After a nice rain late last night, the blue skies and wonderful breeze all day long made for a great start to the week!The June Mini guys headed right into their - [Welcome June Mini Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/welcome-june-mini-campers-2/) - Welcome June Mini Campers I love Sunday mornings at High Rocks! This morning was a particularly wonderful morning. A cool breeze, sun, and I get to sleep in a little bit later than 6:30 am. Although I still woke up early, it felt a little more restful since I did not have to rush off - [All Style, No Speed](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/all-style-no-speed/) - All Style No Speed If that doesn’t sum up summer camp at High Rocks, I’m not sure what does. I heard this phrase most of the day as the hikers were “underwater hiking” today. As I walked around camp, it is exactly what I saw. These boys were all about style. It couldn’t be described - [TGIF... at Camp!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/friday/) - TGIF at Camp! It is hard to believe that we are already wrapping up the first Friday of the session. Aweek has flown by in a way that only camp can do.Today promised that same bustling activity with our cabin overnighters returning in the early morning hours, clearly feeling like they had conquered the experience though - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/jersday-thursday-5/) - Jersday Thursday Another Theme Day at Camp High Rocks! It was so fun to see all the jerseys today. I really enjoyed asking the guys about their teams and why they chose that particular jersey. It sparked some fun conversations.We had all sorts of fun trips out of camp today including mountain biking, paddling, and - [Waikiki Wednesday!!!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/waikiki-wednesday-12/) - Waikiki Wednesday!!! Morning assembly is just about what everyone needs to start their day. Imagie if you woke up every day with your new friends, enjoyed some breakfast, and then broke out into motion songs and power squats (seen above)! it practically adds years to your life!You can’t miss the Hawaiian Themed shirts in the - [Tie Dye, Taco, Tiger Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/tie-dye-taco-tiger-tuesday/) - Tie Dye, Taco, Tiger, Tuesday I sure do like waking up at Camp High Rocks! The calm before the storm is delightful. Our day starts early at the Camp House. Izzie and I get up about the same time to have coffee before she heads down to the barn. We get up around 6:30 am - [Did we really JUST get here?](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/did-we-really-just-get-here/) - Did We JUST Get Here? I enjoyed the first glance of the lake this morning in a bit of a mountain fog as it slowly lifted into the sky. Not too far behind was the first wake-up bell of the season. It is almost always followed by a primal “Good Morning High Rocks” that echoes - [Summer Camp Kick-Off 2025!!!](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/06/summer-camp-kick-off-2024/) - 2025 Summer Kick-Off After over thirty years here at Camp High Rocks, I still get excited about opening day of the summer. So much has gone in to what we started today. I love what we do and I love our families. Six months ago, it was certainly a little different. I guess I should - [Alumni Spotlight: Katie Crawford](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/05/alumni-spotlight-katie-crawford/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Katie Crawford Welcome back to our Alumni Spotlight Series. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you!Today we are introducing you to Katie Crawford! Katie was a counselor at High Rocks from 1998 – 2001, and again in 2005. - [Springtime Reflections](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/04/springtime-reflections/) - Springtime Reflections Springtime is an exciting time for folks in the summer camp community. It won’t be long now until camp is filled with staff ready for staff training. Then after that, our first Opening Day will be here and life at camp will be bustling with activity. The springtime is a period of time - [Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie (Vlasis) Nichols](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/03/alumni-spotlight-stephanie-vlasis-nichols/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie (Vlasis) Nichols Welcome to our Alumni Spotlight series! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you!Today we are spotlighting former High Rocks staff member Stephanie (Vlasis) Nichols. Steph worked - [High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Dalton Langdon](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/high-rocks-alum-spotlight-dalton-langdon/) - High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Dalton Langdon Whether you went to camp last summer or 50 years ago, High Rocks is your community! Our strong alumni community is built of former campers, staff, parents of campers, and volunteers. It is a community doing impactful, positive work outside of camp! A community carrying on the lessons and - [High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Liz Walker](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/01/high-rocks-alum-spotlight-liz-walker/) - High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Liz Walker Welcome back to our Alumni Spotlight Series! This series highlights alumni throughout our years and what they are up to now. Interested in being spotlighted or want to nominate someone doing good work? Email Darby at office@highrocks.com. Today we are featuring Liz Walker. Read our other alumni spotlights on - [Alumni Spotlight: Jack McCallie](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/01/alumni-jack-mccallie/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Jack McCallie Welcome to our Alumni Spotlight Series! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you!We are thrilled to introduce you all to Jack McCallie, a former High Rocks Camper - [Alumni Spotlight: Wyatt Amacker](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/11/alumni-spotlight-wyatt-amacker/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Wyatt Amacker Our Alumni Spotlight series is back! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Wyatt Amacker. Wyatt first joined High Rocks as a - [Alumni Spotlight: William Foreman](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/12/alumni-spotlight-william-foreman/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: William Foreman Our Alumni Spotlight series is back! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you! Today, we are excited to introduce William Foreman. William was a staff member at - [Alumni Spotlight: Alexander Macaulay](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/02/alumni-spotlight-alexander-macaulay/) - High Rocks Alumni Spotlight: Alexander Macaulay Our Alumni Spotlight series is back! We’re excited to highlight our alumni through the years. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, email Darby at office@highrocks.com—we’d love to hear from you!Today we are introducing Alexander Macaulay, a former High Rocks camper and staff member from - [Camp: The Road to Independence](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/03/road-to-independence/) - Camp: The Road to Independence I know many of you have read about independence in my summer blogs. Whether you’re sending your child to High Rocks or have a son at another camp, you’ve likely heard about how summer camp fosters independence in children. Today, I’d like to focus on this topic in more depth. - [Staff Hiring Trip to the UK](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/02/staff-hiring-trip-uk/) - Staff Hiring Trip to the UK Recently Don, Zoob, and I were fortunate enough to head to the UK on a mission to hire some British staff members for the upcoming summer. It was our first time participating in a series of staffing fairs organized by Camp America and, as you can imagine, we were - [Discovering Joy at Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2025/01/discovering-joy/) - Discovering Joy at Camp Over the holidays, I found myself reflecting on joy—how to experience more of it and how to spread it. While happiness is wonderful, I often find it tied to external factors, whereas joy seems to come from within.We often think of camp as a place filled with fun and happy campers. - [2024 Highlight Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/12/highlight-video/) - 2024 Summer Highlight Video Get Ready to Relive Summer 2024! We can’t wait for everyone to see our Summer 2024 Highlight Video and be reminded of our amazing summer together!Click below to access the video on our Youtube page! - [Positive Impacts of Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/12/positive-impacts-of-camp/) - Positive Impacts of Camp The holiday season is a great time of year for a camp director. While there is plenty to do, most deadlines are far off in the distance. It requires some discipline, but not usually a lot of stress. December, in particular, allows for a lot of goals, lists, and reflection. I - [Welcome, Andy to our Team!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/12/welcome-andy-to-our-team/) - Welcome, Andy! We are thrilled to announce that a familiar face is joining our Year-Round Staff at Camp High Rocks. Please join us in welcoming Andy Glas as our new Adventure Programs Director! With years of experience and a deep connection to camp, Andy is perfectly suited to lead our adventure activities into the future. - [How to Support a Nervous Camper](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/12/how-to-support-a-nervous-camper/) - Supporting a Nervous Child About Camp All children experience a mixture of excitement and nervousness when summer camp approaches. Through your child’s eyes, summer camp is a really big deal! These feelings are completely natural reactions to new and unfamiliar experiences. We want to help you support a child who is nervous about camp. When - [Thanksgiving Gratitude](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/11/thanksgiving-gratitude/) - Thanksgiving Gratitude As another Holiday season approaches, we are already gearing up for another summer of fun in 2025. While it can be easy to get wrapped up in excitement for next year, it is also valuable to take time to reflect on this year. We truly have so much to be thankful for here - [Jersday Thursday Again](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/jersday-thursday-again-2/) - Jersday Thursday Today was our last full day of activities. We still had a couple of trips out today. Hiking took a morning trip to Dupont for another waterfall hike. The rock climbers were out for another trip to the High Rocks. It was a little bit of a crazy weather day with that tropical - [Chadwick's Next Adventure](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/10/chadwicks-next-adventure/) - Chadwick’s Next Adventure As we look forward to another season ahead and an exciting 2025, we are sad to say goodbye to Chadwick Young as he moves on to new opportunities. Chadwick first came to High Rocks in the summer of 2018 by way of Brevard College. As a cabin counselor and mountain bike instructor, - [Recovering Together](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/10/recovering-together-hurricane-helene/) - Recovering Together: Hurricane Helene Updates from Camp Greetings from Camp! We are now two weeks removed from the destructive passage of Hurricane Helene through western North Carolina. In that time, we have heard from many of our concerned High Rocks people and wanted to take a moment to provide an update from the mountain.Here at camp, - [Until Next Time](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/until-next-time-2/) - Until Next Time It was a quiet morning with the groups out for their cabin overnights. It was fun to see them roll in telling me how it went as soon as they saw me. It is a time-honored tradition that goes back many decades. We feel an overnight camping experience in the woods is - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/jersday-thursday-4/) - Cabin Overnights It was another great day at Camp High Rocks. The boys are not even showing any signs of fatigue yet. It’s coming, but I have been impressed with their stamina. We rocked right into another day of activity rotations. The boys are getting to re-visit some activities to pick up where they left - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/waikiki-wednesday-11/) - Waikiki Wednesday It sure was a beautiful and cool morning here up the mountain. The sun was poking through some smokey fog that made it look like the sky was on fire. As the warm lake created some additional steam in the cool mountain air, it sure seemed pretty delightful outside for an August day. - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/tie-dye-tuesday-8/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday The first morning at camp began, for most, a bit earlier than the 7:45 wakeup bell. As soon as the sun crests the horizon and the birds start their chatter, so too do our excited young guys waking up in a new environment for the first time. The cool breeze blowing in off - [Which Session is Right for You? Finding The Right Fit](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/03/which-session-is-right-for-you-finding-the-right-fit/) - Which Session Is Right For Your? Finding The Right Fit Each of our summer camp sessions has unique attributes and advantages. Sessions range from one to four weeks to fit your family’s summer calendar and goals for camp. Wondering which session is right for you? Keep reading! This is perhaps the most common questions parents - [Welcome Junior Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/welcome-junior-campers-4/) - Welcome Junior Campers 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 is happening at High Rocks. I’ll try to include you in on a lesson or two on why things work out the - [Endgame and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/endgame-and-final-campfire/) - Until Next Time There was no rest today as we blasted out the last day of the session with gusto! What an incredible group of young men. We played hard, we laughed hard, we cried a little, and we even danced a bit. Your son has made new friends and strengthened old relationships. He is more self-reliant. - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/waikiki-wednesday-3/) - Waikiki Wednesday Again! It sure was another great morning here at High Rocks! The cool 64 degrees this morning was a delight! I made it up to our morning meeting only to find scratch-made biscuits being made! A little biscuit, a little jam, add some coffee. Suddenly a 7:30 am meeting doesn’t seem too bad. - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/tie-dye-tuesday-7/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday While we commiserate with our coastal brethren as Tropical Storm Debby cruises up the east coast, here in the mountains that meant today was cool, cloudy, and with a wonderful breeze all day. Camp was feeling it too as the bell rang and the day began its typical hustle and bustle.Not long after - [Not Even Fair](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/not-even-fair/) - Not Even Fair It sure was a fantastic day here at Camp High Rocks! The partly cloudy skies, reasonable temperatures, and plenty of awesome things to do sure helped a lot! Speaking of awesome things going on, I was privileged enough to be able to lead a mountain bike trip this morning. What a great group - [Carnival Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/carnival-sunday/) - Carnival Sunday 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 - [This Is Real](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/this-is-real/) - Its All About The Kids The weather was near perfect up here with temperatures at just around 82 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 - [End of a Good Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/end-of-a-good-week-2/) - End of a Good Week As we cruise into the weekend of the session, the sounds of camp in full swing have normalized delightfully into the daily cacophony of fun that we associate with the place. There is a steady hum of noise and energy about camp that just feels right!At the end of the - [Jersday Thursday?](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/08/jersday-thursday-3/) - Jersday Thursday Anther theme day at High Rocks! This is a bit of a stretch, but still pretty cool. “Jersday Thursday” is all about wearing your favorite jersey today. Boy do they look good! It ws fun to see so many jerseys out there today.The boys are beginning to figure out the high-energy camp day. - [Wiakiki Wednesday!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/wiakiki-wednesday-2/) - Waikiki Wednesday It sure was fun seeing everyone roll into breakfast with their Hawaiian themed shirts on today! it’s my favorite day! I think it looks so cool! It was another fantastic day at High Rocks! It was so great to see these boys in their activities today. They are so excited. I really enjoyed watching - [Full Steam Ahead](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/tie-dye-tuesday-6/) - Full Steam Ahead Today dawned cool with a light breeze coming across the lake to welcome camp to the day. The kind of morning that makes guys snuggle deeper in their blankets and squeeze an extra minute or two before emerging… But this is the 2 Week and when that morning bell rang, more than - [August Two Week Open](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/august-two-week-open/) - Welcome August Two Week Families It sure was a wonderful opening day of the season! I certainly enjoy meeting new families and reconnecting with so many of the boys that come back year after year. It was fantastic to jump into the session with such a fantastic group of boys.I am so excited to share - [Drill Team, End Game, Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/drill-team-end-game-final-campfire/) - Drill Team, End Game, Final Campfire I can’t believe it has been four weeks already! OK, just two weeks for a few folks. There was no rest today as we blasted out the last day of the session with gusto! What an incredible group of young men. We played hard, we laughed hard, we cried - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-4/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It’s hard to believe that today was the last full day of activities. It was another wonderful day with fairly warm temperatures that kept most of us on the lake, particularly this afternoon. It still looked like another day at camp out there.. Some boys were still heading out - [You Can't Do This at Home](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/you-cant-do-this-at-home/) - You Can't Do This at Home It is that time of the session when everyone is trying to squeeze out that last bit of joy from camp. You can see it in the activities, the cabin, and even during the evening program. The boys know the time is drawing near and there are only a - [Savor the Moment](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/taking-advantage/) - Savor the Moment In what has become a common trend towards the latter part of this session, the morning began cool with some clouds in the sky. A light breeze was blowing that made that second blanket on the bunks seem very appealing! The bell rang, chores commenced, and hordes arrived for a breakfast of - [No One Wants It To End](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/no-one-wants-it-end/) - No One wants it to End! 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 - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-4/) - We Love Sunday! Another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We enjoyed some of those scratch-made cinnamon rolls from Nate and the kitchen crew accompanied by scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh-cut fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals. We had - [It Is All About This Place](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/it-is-all-about-this-place/) - it's All About This Place I made a point of being out in camp as much as I could tday It’s not that I don’t get out on a regular basis, but today, I made a point of being out in camp all day. I enjoyed the assembly this morning. I think everyone needs to start - [Fridays are the Best](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/fridays-are-the-best/) - Fridays are the Best It is pretty universal that Fridays are going to be a good day. Fridays at camp, however, are a step up in that you have a whole day of activities and trips, you are surrounded by people you know well, and you are heading into the weekend where the schedule changes - [Good Morning High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/good-morning-high-rocks/) - Good Morning High Rocks I was super excited to get up to the dining hall this morning. While I typically make it up there fairly early for our daily meeting, I wanted to be sure I caught some of the mini guys coming in from their cabin overnights. As luck would have it, I was - [Another Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/another-waikiki-wednesday/) - Waikiki Wednesday Again! It was another great day on the mountain. I enjoyed seeing these new mini-men begin to figure out a few skills and other items in their activities. Most of them jumped on the Waikiki Wednesday theme day. You will see a number of Hawaiian-themed shirts in the images today. I work hard - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/tie-dye-tuesday-2/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday Today started with a cool dawn over camp, dry and sunny like so many days before. The wakeup bell cranked out its 7:45 call and man was it answered by all of our Mini II guys now in residence!The excitement of the first full day of camp was obvious from a distance as - [Welcome Mini II Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/welcome-mini-ii-campers/) - Welcome July Mini II Campers After a festive Sunday the crowds appeared a little winded this morning. There was not the typical stampede at the door as the boys wer just sauntering up after the bell rang for brekafast. There was still plenty going on including many trips out today and several Camper-Counselor matches that had - [Reflection and Illahee Field Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/reflection-and-illahee-field-day/) - Reflection and Ilahee Field Day It sure was a delightful day. Our morning was super chill. The laundry system was well oiled just before breakfast. As the boys entered to eat, the smell of house made doughnuts fill the air. It sure was a pleasant event. From there we had a few health checks and - [Mini I Close](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/mini-i-close/) - Big Saturday Adventures I had to post this picture! It was priceless and just captured the fun out there today! We had a great day visiting with the Mini I parents and wish well to all those boys heading home today. This group of “minis” was more than half first-time campers. It was a big - [Fridays at Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/fridays-at-camp/) - Fridays at Camp It seemed like the end of the second week came fast. All of a sudden the week was closing out with a beautiful morning, bits of fog rolling across the lake. Sunny skies were already awakening camp by the time the morning bell rang out. There were several people helping with the - [Another Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/another-jersday-thursday/) - Another Jersday Thursday It sure was fun to see all of the jerseys coem out again today. It always brings out a little smack talk about teams and who we like. I like this tough one above. They tried to look tough :). The high pressure continued today with fantastic weather. The salers enjoyed another breezy - [What Wednesday Should Be](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/what-wednesday-should-be/) - What a Wednesday Should Be What a beautiful day! The outside breeze began blowing in the later morning and the air dried out a bit. The high hit about 82, but the breeze made it feel amazing. The sailors had a blast this afternoon. It was an amazing day in the mountains.I had a few - [Tuesdays are Tuff](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/tuesdays-are-tuff/) - Tuesdays are Tuff Today was a warm start to the day. Sun shining brightly and just a light breeze to move the few clouds overhead. Like clockwork, the bell tolled out at 7:45 to announce the official start to the day. With this second week cranking though, plenty of folks were already on the move - [The Challenge is the Fun](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/the-challenge-is-the-fun/) - The Challenge is the Fun! Our paddling program always starts out in canoes and is always on flat water in the beginning. The canoe gives the boys a good vantage point for when they first hit the river and it gives them a bigger craft that is not as edgy as a solo canoe or - [Welcome June Mini Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/welcome-june-mini-campers/) - Welcome June Mini Campers! We love Sundays at High Rocks! They are typically a little more chill than the rest of the week. We wake up a little later, and the morning is at a much slower pace. However, that slower pace does include getting our laundry up to breakfast in the morning. It doesn’t - [Sundays are for Rest](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/sundays-are-for-rest-2/) - Sundays are for Rest We love Sundays at High Rocks! They are typically a little more chill than the rest of the week. We wake up a little later, and the morning is at a much slower pace. However, that slower pace does include getting our laundry up to breakfast in the morning. It doesn’t - [Saturday. It's Amazing!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/saturday-its-amazing/) - Camp Friends For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much larger and - [End of the Work Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/end-of-the-work-week/) - End of the Work Week As always in camp life, each day seems an epic adventure while a week goes by in the blink of an eye. Here we are wrapping up the first “work” week of the session and it seemed to catch everyone a bit by surprise!Our morning was a warm one, perhaps - [Celebrating Independence](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/celebrating-independence/) - Celebrating Independence Independence Day is a great time to be at Camp high Rocks! What better place to be to focus on independence as you celebrate it on the same day? We always have a large time on July 4th. Our day starts with all sorts of fanfare and dress. The staff worked hard after - [What Families Say About Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/12/what-families-say-about-camp-2/) - Real Parents, Real Quotes Why Choose Camp High Rocks At the end of each session, we ask parents “Why Camp High Rocks?” Their answers are always enlightening and really show why our parents and campers choose Camp High Rocks. Take a look at what our camp parents have to say! Real Quotes from Real Parents - [9 Questions to Ask Before Sending Your Child to Overnight Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/12/9-questions-to-ask/) - 9 Questions to Ask Before Sending Your Child to Overnight Camp Finding a summer camp is often done through a friend’s recommendation or a google search. Choosing a camp takes more than that. Before you sign your son up for a camp, there are a few questions you should be asking their Camp Directors. Here - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/waikiki-wednesday-2/) - Waikiki Wednesday I still love the mountain mornings. A cool 65 degree morning up here. We have enjoyed this lovely high pressure since opening day. It won’t last forever, but it sure is delightful!You will notice several Hawaiian Themed shirts in the pictures tonight. Some of the guys really go out of the way to - [The Adventure Begins](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/the-adventure-begins-3/) - The Adventure Begins This morning was a treat, not only hearing the first wake-up bell of the session ring, but also just how cool the day broke over camp. In July, the advantage of living on top of a mountain becomes clear as the temps were in the upper 50s and it took a bit - [July Sessions Opening Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/07/july-sessions-opening-day/) - July Sessions Opening Day It sure was a wonderful morning to welcome in all our July campers! We are so excited for all our Mini I boys who have just joined the High Rocks family! I know many of you are here for the first time. What a great session to step into for your - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/end-game-and-final-campfire-8/) - Final Campfire and End Game I can’t believe it has been three weeks already! OK, just two weeks for a few folks. There was no rest today as we blasted out the last day of the session with gusto! What an incredible group of young men. We played hard, we laughed hard, we cried a - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It’s hard to believe that today was the last full day of activities. It was another wonderful day with fairly warm temperatures that kept most of us on the lake, particularly this afternoon. It still looked like another day at camp out there.. Some boys were still heading out - [Tuff Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/tuff-tuesday/) - Tuff Tuesday In what has almost become a foregone conclusion, today was another beautiful, high pressure day in the mountains. I literally have new members of camp asking if it ever rains here, and looking at me skeptically when I say it does!While the plants may be parched, it does make for some very active - [Only a Few Days Left](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/only-a-few-days-left/) - Only A Few Days Left It was another great weather day at High Rocks! Warm, sunny, with a fantastic breeze all day long! The sailboats had a blast on the lake today! If you do not see your son, it is likely he is out on a trip today. We had several trips out the door - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-3/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then a little bounce-around time in assembly before heading down to the lake for our - [Square Dance Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/square-dance-saturday/) - Square Dance Saturday It sure is nice to have everyone back in camp on Saturday. After a busy week of trips, there are some boys you have not seen for several days in a row. Most activities were running normally with a few added twists here and there.The weather was the best yet! A nice - [TGIF (@ Camp!)](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/tgif-camp/) - TGIF (@ Camp!) It is the end of our second “work” week, though that doesn’t mean there was any knocking it off early for our camper crew this Friday! Yet another cool, clear morning with the bell ringing loud to get everyone moving. Breakfast was a southern affair of sausage biscuits, gravy, grits, berries/fruit, yogurt, - [Jersday Thursday Again!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/jersday-thursday-again/) - Jersday Thursday Again The mornings are becoming routine. I love to head up for my morning meeting after I get myself put together. I always grab a cup of coffee in the dining hall. It’s a fantastic cup of coffee. A friend of mine owns a wonderful little coffee roaster in town. He mixes up - [Community Takes Work](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/community-takes-work/) - Community Takes Work It’s hard to believe that we have passed the halfway point already and only have nine days left of camp. Our second Waikiki Wednesday was quite delightful. I really enjoy the number of Hawaiian-style shirts that spread throughout the High Rocks community. It was the perfect outfit for a wonderful summer day. - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/tie-dye-tuesday/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday This second Tuesday of the session began with a nice morning coolness and some wisps of fog laying low in the valleys of camp. It is one of my favorite ways to begin a day with all the potential of camp waiting for that bell to kick into gear. The quiet in the - [A Challenge is a Good Thing](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/a-challenge-is-a-good-thing/) - Challenge is a Good Thing It almost felt like camp was beginning the work week after such a relaxing Sunday. It was a busy morning with rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking all eating early to get out of camp for an all-day or overnight adventure. We jumped right into assembly and activities as we went - [Saturdays Rock!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/saturdays-rock/) - Saturdays Rock I love Saturdays at High Rocks! In the 30 summers I have been here, there have always been pancakes on Saturday. It’s just what we do. Our Chef Nate makes the recipe in one of those giant Hobart floor mixers and always uses real eggs and real buttermilk. It does make a difference. - [Far-Reaching Friday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/elementor-27571/) - Far-Reaching Friday While it is hard to believe that we are heading into our first weekend already, our first Friday it was! And yet another gorgeous day in the mountains to boot.The morning routine was smooth with the guys knowing what to do and things becoming more muscle memory now. Which is good as they - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/jersday-thursday-2/) - Jersday Thursday As I mentioned yesterday, today was going to be a themed jersey day alos know as Jersday Thursday! There were so many cool jerseys out there today! Some boys had full on kits going on. It sure felt like a perfect camp day at High Rocks. A nice high-pressure day with a little breeze - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/waikiki-wednesday/) - Waikiki Wednesday You will notice several Hawaiian Themed shirts in the pictures tonight. Some of the guys really go out of the way to look good on Waikiki Wednesday. I am not sure when some of these theme days started, but many have been going on for decades. We don’t have something every day, but - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/wiakiki-wednesday/) - Waikiki Wednesday This morning I enjoyed watching the guys roll in from the woods after their overnights. The stories of the “grit” these overnights teach us are always enjoyable. They even create the best memories. I enjoy hearing about how late they stayed up, who ate the most pita pizzas, or even how bad the - [Already at Full Speed](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/already-at-full-speed/) - Already at Full Speed This morning dawned clear and cool. A perfect mountain morning that saw our campers snuggling deep in their blankets right up to the bell before it was time to spring into action. That same morning cool also meant there was an extra spring in their step as they got dressed, made - [The Adventure Begins](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/the-adventure-begins-2/) - The Adventure Begins 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 excitable person lately has been Nate our Camp Chef - [Summer 2024 Kickoff!](https://www.highrocks.com/2024/06/summer-2024-kickoff/) - Summer 2024 Kickoff The 2024 Camp season was off to a great start this morning! I had so much fun welcoming our June Campers! Of course, there was plenty of excitement/nervousness around. We all felt that way a little as it was opening day for all of here at High Rocks as well. We may - [2023 Summer Highlights](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/12/2023-summer-highlights-video/) - Join us as we revisit the cherished memories, camp adventures, and camaraderie that made this summer unforgettable. Get ready to relive the magic. Our 2023 Slideshows are now LIVE! Watch your session below. (Click on the expander on the far right of the YouTube tool bar to watch in full screen.) Three Week & June - [Autumn at Camp: Preparing for the Next Summer's Adventure](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/10/autumn-at-camp-preparing-for-the-next-summers-adventure/) - Hello, camp family! As the summer days gradually give way to the cozy embrace of autumn, we find ourselves immersed in the off-season. While the campfire may be temporarily extinguished, our spirits remain high as we engage in a range of tasks that set the stage for another fantastic summer ahead. In this blog, we'll - [It's About Time!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/its-about-time/) - It’s About Time! In March of 2020, I had no idea how much time we would spend on messaging, planning, and hard decisions. I can say that this time last year, camp was silent, and it was a strange place. Now, after 2 years of camp director energy, I felt the joy of controlled chaos - [Good Morning High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/good-morning-high-rocks-2/) - Good Morning High Rocks I love the excitement of the first morning of camp. That first wake-up bell of the season is always a wonderful sound. We typically add a little flair in the morning after the bell rings. Sometimes we play a little revelry, but mostly it is an exuberant yell from the diaphragm - [Living The Camp Life](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/living-the-camp-life/) - Living The Camp Life Today’s Pictures It’s almost not fair to others how much fun we are having. Life at camp feels like home. I have enjoyed watching the boys finding their way, having fun, and mostly enjoying being around each other. While it is not “life after COViD” quite yet, we are certainly doing - [Exactly What We Need](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/exactly-what-we-need/) - Exactly What We Need Today’s Pictures Today was another themed shirt day. I am sure you will appreciate our Hawaiian themed shirt day known as Waikiki Wednesday. These two rocked the themed even as they were heading out on their overnights tonight. This morning I enjoyed watching the guys roll in from the woods after - [Summer in The Mountains](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/summer-in-the-mountains/) - Summer in The Mountains Today’s Pictures It was a perfect summer day in the mountains. You might even say it was a typical day in the mountains. We had a cool morning that moved into a sunny day, followed by a short afternoon shower, and then the sun came right back out for a beautiful - [Here Comes The Weekend!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/here-comes-the-weekend/) - Here Comes The Weekend! Today’s Pictures 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 - [Pancake Saturday!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/pancake-saturday/) - Pancake Saturday! Today’s Pictures The morning started out delightfully with hundreds of scratch-made pancakes with compliments of bacon, fresh-cut fruit and berries, hash browns off the griddle (just like Waffle House), yogurt, assorted cereals, and of course syrup and honey! You can’t beat that to start your day. I stuck with a big bowl of - [Sleep-In Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/sleep-in-sunday/) - Sleep-In Sunday I love Sunday mornings at High Rocks! This morning was a particularly wonderful morning. A cool breeze, sun, and I get to sleep in a little bit later than 6:30 am. Although, I still woke up early, it felt a little more restful since I did not have to rush off to my - [We Love Mondays](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/we-love-mondays-2/) - We Love Mondays I feel like we are finally hitting our stride. While the feel of High Rocks is the same, there are all sorts of nuances that we had to come up with to have an extraordinary summer camp experience given our current situation. It’s nice to see the boys figuring out all the - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/tie-dye-tuesday-3/) - [Less Than Half Left](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/less-than-half-left/) - Less Than Half Left It’s hard to believe that we are past the halfway mark of the June Session already. It seems like the boys just arrived. Life at camp feels in the groove. We have our routines, our systems, and even our schedules. Wednesdays are one of the weekly theme days around High Rocks. - [Life on the Mountain](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/life-on-the-mountain/) - Life on the Mountain Life is good on the mountain! Not only do we enjoy all the wonderful views, cool mornings, a passing shower, and even wonderful sunsets. Mountain life has many advantages. Especially, life at 3000 feet. This morning it was a cool 48 degrees. We got to about 75 degrees today. While that may - [End of a Good Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/end-of-a-good-week/) - End of a Good Week As we cruise into our second weekend of the session, the sounds of camp in full swing have normalized delightfully into the daily cacophony of fun that we associate with the place. There is a steady hum of noise and energy about the place that just feels right! At the - [Launch Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/launch-day/) - Launch Day I love Saturdays at High Rocks! We do not typically do any trips, so it is nice to see all of the campers back in camp. Further, some of the activity areas plan fun events or alternatives to the daily grind during the week. Today, the big news was in Rocketry! Launch Day - [Mud Pit, Upper Senior Challenge, 5-Year BackPacks](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/mud-pit-supper-senior-challenge-5-year-backpacks/) - Mud Pit, Upper Senior Challenge, 5-Year BackPacks Another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal, then a little bounce-around time in assembly before service. Both took place in the gym as the tropical - [The Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/the-best-of-times-2/) - The Best of Times It was off to the races and back in action again this morning with a number of trips out of camp. In the pictures today, you may notice your son in a new activity. We have given the opportunity for the boys to pick different activities or stay in the same - [High Rocks Magic](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/high-rocks-magic/) - [Cabin Night Wish Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/cabin-night-wish-night/) - Cabin Night Wish Night I have enjoyed watching these boys learn and grow, enjoy each other company, appreciate the differences, and have a blast! Their three weeks at camp have allowed them to forget about their phone, t.v., game console, and even the news. A little separation from the day-to-day chaos of school, grades, tests, - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/end-game-and-final-campfire/) - End Game and Final Campfire We went all out until the last minute! We still had three trips out of camp this morning! I took the opportunity to join some of the youngest guys on a short kayak float trip! We had so much fun! I really enjoyed watching and helping these guys down the - [Back At It!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/back-at-it/) - Back At It! It was so incredible to see so many old and new friends today. I feel like it was a family reunion of sorts. The best was also all our “new friends” we visited with today. After months on the phone, Zoom sessions, informational videos, tons of correspondence, and then that final 1.3 - [The Adventure Begins](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/the-adventure-begins/) - The Adventure Begins Our morning started with a little light rain while we headed into breakfast. A little rain in the mountains must fall, and morning rain is actually quite wonderful. We were greeted inside the dining hall with homemade cinnamon toast, scrambled eggs, sausage links, fresh berries, and assorted cereals. Our first morning assembly - [Mountain Mornings](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/06/mountain-mornings/) - Mountain Mornings I know I say it a lot, but I really enjoy the morning at High Rocks. I start my day typically just past 6 am. My dog Barley and the coffee pot are typically my first two interactions of the day. I enjoy sitting on the deck listening to the peace while Barley - [The 1100 Acre Wood](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/the-1100-acre-wood/) - The 1100 Acre Wood It sure was another wonderful day here at “The Rocks.” I have been a little busy lately putting some final touches on our ACA Accreditation. This is a once every five-year event that requires a lot of upfront work in regards to written documentation and procedures. All of this is already - [TGIF at Camp!!!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/tgif-at-camp/) - TGIF at Camp!!! As we close out the first week of the session, this morning was a gray, drizzly affair. I don’t know about you, but anytime the first sound I hear in the morning is rainfall, I’m never in a hurry to get out of bed. That seemed to be the prevailing mood around - [Just What We Needed](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/just-what-we-needed/) - Just What We Needed Our first week was a little different this year if you were a returning camper. The boys rotated with their cabin having an opportunity at ALL the activities three different times this week. While it probably not what they expected, it certainly turned out to be a worthwhile event. WE felt - [Freedom Day 2021!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/freedom-day-2021/) - Freedom Day 2021! 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, - [Back to "Just Camp"](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/back-to-just-camp/) - Back to “Just Camp” After all the excitement yesterday, it was almost calming to start a “normal” day. On my way up to the early “meeting of the minds.” I enjoyed the peacefulness of camp that many do not see. Still quiet, the morning mist rising as the sun warms the land… A wonderful blue - [Flying Colors](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/flying-colors/) - [The Sweet Spot](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/the-sweet-spot/) - The Sweet Spot Wednesday had a big start once again this morning. We had a climbing trip head out early again. Two different groups hit the French Broad in canoes today. Mountain biking hit DuPont. And, we had a day hike up Rick Mountain. The boys are certainly hitting their groove. Life at High Rocks - [Such A Great Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/such-a-great-day/) - Such A Great Day I was pleasantly surprised to see that the tropical system moved past us overnight. While we had a touch of rain this morning, it turned out to be a typical summer day here at The Rocks. We did need a little rain, so the overnight pouring was perfect! Trips out of - [Mini I Close and Halfway Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/mini-i-close-and-halfway-saturday/) - Mini I Close and Halfway Saturday What a perfect day to say goodbye to our Mini I guys. It seems like they just got here yesterday. We had a big send-off at assembly this morning while all the boys cheered for our Mini I guys as they made the most of their last morning. The - [A Relaxing Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/a-relaxing-sunday/) - A Relaxing Sunday Another fantastic Sunday at camp. We kicked the day off with some self-reliance of getting all of your cabin’s laundry bagged up and loaded in the van before breakfast. Not a small task for a group of adolescent boys. After a wonderful breakfast, and a little music, Zoob lead our morning by - [Welcome Mini II Campers!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/welcome-mini-ii-campers-2/) - Welcome Mini II Campers! 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 - [Morning Wake-Up!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/morning-wake-up/) - [Waikiki Wednesday!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/waikiki-wednesday-4/) - Waikiki Wednesday! It sure was fun to see so many Hawaiian-themed shirts today. Waikiki Wednesday is so much fun! I so like how those shirts really look great in the pictures. The Mini Men continued through their activity journey today as they learn new skills and begin to work on a progression that will, hopefully, - [We Can Sleep After Camp is Over](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/we-can-sleep-after-camp-is-over/) - We Can Sleep After Camp is Over It was another busy day out of the blocks this morning. Our climbers helped us out with the wake-up bell since they were looking for an early start. There was a group of boys headed out for a two-day climbing trip. We will not see them until after - [The Coolest Things](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/the-coolest-things/) - The Coolest Things While cruising camp, I like to have questions ready for campers that will get them talking about their time at High Rocks. One favorite is “What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen today?” as it is so broad and is a question that they actually think about answering. Always fun to see how - [The Last Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/18696-2/) - The Last Saturday Wow! What a beautiful day! Blue skies with just enough clouds to make it pretty. I love Saturday mornings because it is one of the few mornings we do not have an executive team meeting. It allows me to enjoy the morning a little bit more. Our mini men were crushing it - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/upper-senior-challenge-sunday/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday Sunday’s 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 - [Looking Good Since 1958](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/looking-good-since-1958/) - Looking Good Since 1958 For years down at the paddling docks, there has been a constant theme of what was most important. It was looking good, of course. It was the sort of banter you might find when you gather a bunch of guys around each other as they all try to be cool. The - [Fun Is Just Part of It](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/fun-is-just-part-of-it/) - [Camp High Rocks! It's Good for You!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/camp-high-rocks-its-good-for-you/) - Camp High Rocks! It’s Good for You! Wednesday was another excellent day at Camp High Rocks. Occasionally, I get to take some kids out of camp. Today was one of them. I had the opportunity to lead a small group of Mini Men down our first river trip of the whitewater progression. These boys did - [Cabin Night, Upper Senior Dinner, and Wishes!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/cabin-night-upper-senior-dinner-and-wishes/) - Cabin Night, Upper Senior Dinner, and Wishes! What a full day of fun! We still had boys out on trips in several activities including paddling, climbing, and hiking. Some of the boys today just made it into kayaking, and several boys just reached their highest rank, the High Rocks Archer, in archery. In camp, it was - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/end-game-and-final-campfire-2/) - End Game and Final Campfire To the final minute, we were still sucking every possible adventure out of the time we had left in camp today. None of this sitting around and not doing anything for two days. Our final match of the camper-counselor tennis tournament was a big show today. It takes a full - [Welcome Two Week Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/18834-2/) - Welcome Two Week Campers It was so incredible to see so many old and new friends today. After months (and even years) on the phone, Zoom sessions, informational videos, tons of correspondence, and then that final 1.3 miles up the camp road! It was pure magic, and it was certainly about time to get to High - [Our First Steps](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/our-first-steps/) - Our First Steps I think the first full day of camp is one of my favorites. The boys have had a little time to be comfortable, but there is still a lot of excitement in the air. They typically wake up early. As in WAY before the wake-up bell. The first cabin clean-up takes a - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/waikiki-wednesday-5/) - Waikiki Wednesday It was a delightful morning here on the mountain. Life at 3000 feet has its advantages. The blue sky stayed with us all day. The morning breeze picked up as the temperature began to change. It made for a welcoming morning. While it was warm today, we still save a few degrees from - [Creating Our Own Adventure](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/creating-our-own-adventure/) - Creating Our Own Adventure This morning I enjoyed watching the guys roll in from the woods after their overnights. The stories of the “grit” these overnights teach us are always enjoyable. They even create the best memories. I enjoy hearing about how late they stayed up, who ate the most pita pizzas, or even how - [End of The "Work Week"](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/end-of-the-work-week-2/) - End of The “Work Week” As we close out our first week of the session here at Camp High Rocks, it is always fun to chat with campers and counselors about the cool camp moments they’ve seen happening all over camp, every day. You get all kinds of answers to that question. Today being on - [Pancake Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/07/pancake-saturday-2/) - Pancake Saturday For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much larger and - [Carnival Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/carnival-sunday-2/) - Carnival Sunday So, Sundays at camp are always a little different. We like to slow down a bit, think about the week we just completed, and ponder on the week ahead. This morning was that kind of morning. The sun was coming up and there was a nice cool feel to the mountain air. Just - [We Can Do This!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/we-can-do-this/) - We Can Do This! The cool weather today was amazing! After a few warm days, it was a pleasant change for us! The cool “athletic” weather is just what the boys needed. I am sure you have noticed a few pictures of the dogs around camp. I think it’s funny how the boys want to - [Not Far Now!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/not-far-now-2/) - [Best Day Yet!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/best-day-yet-4/) - Best Day Yet! Another cool day on the mountain here at High Rocks. It has been perfect “athletic” weather this week. I love the cool mountain air! The low almost dipped into the 50s and the high today was maybe 70. It was fun to see some guys pull out their sweatshirts. It sure was - [Wish Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/wish-night/) - Wish Night Love the mornings at High Rocks! The cool mountain air as the sun comes up and a warm cup of coffee is pure magic. I get up early and go to bed late. I try to enjoy a moment or two on the deck at least once or twice a week. This morning - [The Time of Their Lives](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/the-time-of-their-lives/) - The Time of Their Lives Time sure flies in just two weeks. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. After a fun morning of some activity wrap-up, pony painting, and general excitement, we took a brief break to get packed before the big event of the - [Welcome Junior Campers!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/welcome-junior-campers/) - Welcome Junior Campers! I hope the drop-off was a smooth for you as it was for us! It was great to meet all of you this morning! We hope this is the first stop on a long adventure with High Rocks! What an awesome group of young men! They are so excited to be here! - [Wake Up With High Rocks!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/18948-2/) - Wake Up With High Rocks! It sure was fun waking up to a whole new group of excited boys! I love the mornings up here on the mountain. The nice cool air, and the calm. Once that bell rings, it is off and running. I queried some boys today. They were up pretty early, some - [Just Two Days Left](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/just-two-days-left/) - Just Two Days Left It is a true adventure here every day. Some of the time just getting ready for the day is an adventure. I enjoyed cruising through the cabins during clean-up time this morning. Many of the young guys are doing their best to just get their clothes on straight, let alone get the - [Cabin Overnights](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/cabin-overnights-2/) - [The Best Time Ever!](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/08/the-best-time-ever/) - The Best Time Ever! Time sure flies in just one week. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. The boys wandered in this morning with a wonderful greasy, ashen, marshmallow look about them. I think I even saw a few specks of tomato sauce in - [Here Comes Our 65th Summer!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/here-comes-our-65th-summer/) - Here Comes Our 65th Summer! What a fantastic day! This morning felt like a wonderful homecoming for me! After the “fast food” drop-off and pickup of last year, I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with parents and families today. I missed getting to spend time with you all! I enjoy the whole “nervous-excited” - [Enjoying The First Steps](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/enjoying-the-first-steps/) - Enjoying The First Steps 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 - [The Little Things](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/the-little-things/) - The Little Things These cool mornings have been a wonderful moment for me this summer. While some might cringe at a 50-degree morning, I love the cool mountain air! Just a moment or two out on the back deck to look over the lake and hear the stillness of camp before the chaos begins. It’s - [It's All Good!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/its-all-good/) - It’s All Good! I love our theme days at camp. If you didn’t notice, yesterday was tie-dye Tuesday (turns out it was Taco Tuesday as well). Today was Waikiki Wednesday. We don our favorite Hawaiian-themed shirts. There were some good examples out there today. I enjoyed that our Aide cabin (our oldest campers) went “all-in” - [Feel the Flow](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/feel-the-flow/) - Feel the Flow It sure felt like a perfect camp day at High Rocks. A nice high-pressure day with a little breeze and plenty of sunshine! We had trips in all sorts of directions and the boys are just getting into the groove of the session. It seems like they have been here for weeks - [Pure Screamin' Fun](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/pure-screamin-fun-2/) - Pure Screamin’ Fun I can’t believe it has almost been a week of camp already! The boys are just starting to get into “camp shape” again. I know we have done our job when the boys in Hillside cabin (the youngest guys) are still asleep on my way up in the morning. Today they were - [Weekend Fun](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/weekend-fun/) - Weekend Fun I love Saturdays at High Rocks! In the 29 summers I have been here, there have always been pancakes on Saturday. It’s just what we do. Our Chef Nate makes the recipe in one of those giant Hobart floor mixers and always uses real eggs and real buttermilk. It does make a difference. - [Meeting Challenges in a Brave Way](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/meeting-challenges-in-a-brave-way/) - Meeting Challenges in a Brave Way We love Sundays at High Rocks! They are typically a little more chill than the rest of the week. We wake up a little later, and the morning is at a much slower pace. However, that slower pace does include getting our laundry up to breakfast in the morning. - [Comfortably Uncomfortable](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/comfortably-uncomfortable/) - Comfortably Uncomfortable 06/13/2022 It almost felt like camp was beginning the work week after such a relaxing Sunday. It was a busy morning with rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking all eating early to get out of camp for an all-day adventure. We jumped right into assembly and activities. Speaking of adventure, I thought I would - [Learning Community](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/learning-community/) - Learning Community It’s hard to believe that we have passed the halfway point already and only have nine days left of camp.. Our second Waikiki Wednesday was quite delightful. I really enjoy the number of Hawaiian-style shirts that spread throughout the High Rocks community. It was the perfect outfit for a hot summer day. It - [Launch Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/launch-day-2/) - Launch Day The mornings are becoming routine. I love to head up for my morning meeting after I get myself put together. I always grab a cup of coffee in the dining hall. It’s a fantastic cup of coffee. A friend of mine owns a wonderful little coffee roaster in town. He mixes up a - [Mud Pit!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/mud-pit/) - Mud Pit! I ask the campers all the time “What was your favorite part about today.” It gives us something to talk about and helps me remember what is important to them. Well, my favorite part of camp today was that I was able to get out of camp and paddle with a group of - [It's All About The Kids](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/its-all-about-the-kids/) - It’s All About The Kids It sure is nice to have everyone back in camp on Saturday. After a busy week of trips, there are some boys you have not seen for several days in a row. Most activities were running normally with a few added twists here and there. The weather was the best - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/20533-2/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday Our Sunday started out beautiful and stayed beautiful all day! We enjoyed near-perfect temperatures with a wonderful breeze. It was even a little cool this morning. After a wonderful breakfast of scratch-made cinnamon rolls, we headed down to the lakeside for our morning service. I lead the group with some discussion - [Just Days to Go](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/just-days-to-go/) - Just Days to Go It was another great weather day at High Rocks! Warm, sunny, with just a touch of breeze all day long! I enjoy it when the staff help create the vibe around High Rocks. One group this session is trying to spearhead another “them day” here at camp. Several of the guys - [Floating on Cloud Nine](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/floating-on-cloud-nine/) - [Cabin Night and Upper Senior Dinner](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/cabin-night-and-upper-senior-dinner-3/) - Cabin Night and Upper Senior Dinner It’s hard to believe that today was the last full day of activities. It was another wonderful day with cool temperatures in the morning with a wonderful breeze. Many boys were still heading out on trips including tubing, paddling, climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. Tonight is one of my - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/end-game-and-final-campfire-3/) - End Game and Final Campfire I can’t believe it has been three weeks already! There was no rest today as we blasted out the last day of the session with gusto! What an incredible group of young men. We played hard, we laughed hard, we cried a little, and we even danced a bit. Your - [Opening Day!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/opening-day-3/) - Opening Day! It sure was a wonderful morning to welcome in all our July campers! We are so excited for all our Mini I boys who have just joined the High Rocks family! I know many of you are here for the first time. What a great session to step into for your first year! - [Day One of Many](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/day-one-of-many/) - Day One of Many Our first morning at camp! I think it is such a special moment to wake up to the cool mountains of North Carolina in the morning. I am always impressed by how quiet it is before the wake-up bell. I really do love just listening to what is going on out - [We Love the Mountains](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/we-love-the-mountains/) - We Love the Mountains The morning started early with our first paddling group heading out to The Chattooga River. There are a few pictures from their adventure today. We also enjoyed the cooler temperatures today. It was great to see the boys starting to get into the groove a little. Some guys are still working - [It's All About The Lesson](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/its-all-about-the-lesson/) - It’s All About The Lesson The flow of camp is already in full force. Boys are heading out on trips, learning new skills, and making this summer at High Rocks THEIR experience. I hope you have enjoyed some of the pictures showing all the instruction going on here at High Rocks. These boys are really - [Another Wild Ride](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/another-wild-ride/) - Another Wild Ride It’s hard to believe it has been five days already! Our Mini I boys leave in a week! It sure was another great day out in High Rocks Land! We started the day with eggs, bacon, grits, a fruit bar, yogurt, and assorted cereals. Up to eat early were our typical padders - [Years in the Making](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/years-in-the-making/) - Years in the Making For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much - [Celebrating and Practicing Independence](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/celebrating-and-practicing-independence/) - Celebrating and Practicing Independence Independence Day is a great time to be at Camp high Rocks! What better place to be to focus on independence as you celebrate it on the same day? We always have a large time on July 4th. Our day starts with all sorts of fanfare and dress. The staff worked - [Sundays are for Rest](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/sundays-are-for-rest/) - Sundays are for Rest We love Sundays at High Rocks! They are typically a little more chill than the rest of the week. We wake up a little later, and the morning is at a much slower pace. However, that slower pace does include getting our laundry up to breakfast in the morning. It doesn’t - [Those Brave Camp Moments](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/those-brave-camp-moments/) - [They CAN Do It. It Just Takes Longer.](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/they-can-do-it-it-just-takes-longer/) - They CAN Do It. It Just Takes Longer. Another busy day here up on The Rocks. The climbers took off to South Carolina to a secret spot we don’t like to talk about. It was toasty, but the crag is mostly in the shade and they didn’t get stormed out. Canoers took a new crew - [The Mini Men](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/the-mini-men/) - The Mini Men Life at camp started pretty early this morning. A group of climbers was heading out for a two-day adventure at about 7 am today. They will head off to Virginia to a cool location As I made my way to the dining hall for our daily “meeting of the minds” there was - [Into The Weekend](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/into-the-weekend/) - Into The Weekend Sometimes we are reminded that these mountains are part of a temperate rainforest. It allows us to paddle all summer, keeps the trees and grass green without ever watering, and provides for delightful sunsets. While it did rain today, it wasn’t much of a hindrance; we still did our activities outside. The total - [](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/20763-2/) - Untitled We had a great day visiting with the Mini I parents and wish well to all those boys heading home today. This group of “minis” was almost entirely first-time campers. It was a big step to jump into all that we have to offer. I heard several stories about the boys not wanting - [Gold Rush Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/gold-rush-sunday/) - Gold Rush Sunday Another fantastic Sunday at camp. After a wonderful breakfast, and a little music, A multi-year staff member, Dallas, lead our morning by the lake with a talk about empathy; what it means, and how it can help our community. I was impressed to see the boys participate in some of the questions - [Welcome Mini II Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/welcome-mini-ii-campers-3/) - Welcome Mini II Campers We sure enjoyed seeing all our Mini II families today! The cool moist air in the low seventies welcomed them to the mountains when they stepped out of their cars. I always enjoy the surprise on our parents’ faces when they open the door to the beautiful mountain air. Life at - [Community Minded](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/community-minded/) - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/waikiki-wednesday-6/) - Waikiki Wednesday I had one of those “jack of all trade” days today at camp. After my usual admin meeting at 7:30 am, I made the rounds in the dining hall catching staff and campers for various needs. Then, I had to fix a printer over at the health center, which lead to an Amazon - [Good Morning High Rocks!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/good-morning-high-rocks-3/) - Good Morning High Rocks! I was super excited to get up to the dining hall this morning. While I typically make it up there fairly early for our daily meeting, I wanted to be sure I caught some of the mini guys coming in from their cabin overnights. As luck would have it, I was - [The Weekend](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/the-weekend-6/) - The Weekend The cool morning brought a smokey-looking mist off the lake. I love these sorts of mornings in the mountains. It has been nice to see a slow drying of the air and some lower temperatures. It was only 57 degrees at 7 am this morning! The high did make it to 79, but - [Living in the Present](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/living-in-the-present/) - Living in the Present It sure was another fantastic day! The morning kicked off with the time-honored tradition of pancakes and sausage. We sided with some home fries and boiled eggs and then fresh fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals. Today is the day I fill in for the photographer, so I am out and about - [Upper Senior Challenge Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/upper-senior-challenge-sunday-2/) - Upper Senior Challenge Sunday Another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We enjoyed some of those scratch-made cinnamon rolls from Nate and the kitchen crew accompanied by scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh-cut fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals. We had a - [Busiest Day Yet](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/busiest-day-yet/) - Busiest Day Yet Mondays always start with a lot of excitement. We had 6 trips out of camp today and 2 additional special events on the high ropes course. Rock Climbing had two trips out to our private High Rocks climbing area. It’s so close, that we don’t even get in the van and the - [Wait! I'm Not Ready to Leave!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/wait-im-not-ready-to-leave/) - Wait! I’m Not Ready to Leave! It’s hard to believe we are hitting the last few days of the session here already. I enjoyed seeing another group of trips out this morning including the Mini Men canoers making their first river trips down the French Broad. My hope is that it is one of many - [Cabin Night, Upper Senior Dinner, and Wishes!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/cabin-night-upper-senior-dinner-and-wishes-2/) - Cabin Night, Upper Senior Dinner, and Wishes! It’s hard to believe that today was the last full day of activities. There were still a few trips out today including a paddling trip to the Tuckaseegee and one more mountain biking trip to DuPont. We all had a great time with our cabinmates this evening. Each - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/end-game-and-final-campfire-4/) - End Game and Final Campfire It was a wonderful finish to our July session today. We kicked off the day with our advanced horseback riders giving us a drill team show in the big ring. The next big event was the final match of the counselor-camper tennis match. The final two camper-counselor pairs matched off - [Welcome Two Week Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/welcome-two-week-campers-2/) - Welcome Two Week Campers It sure was a wonderful opening day of the season! I certainly enjoy meeting new families and reconnecting with so many of the boys that come back year after year. It was fantastic to jump into the summer with such a fantastic group of boys. I am so excited to share - [Here Comes A Memory](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/he-comes-a-memory/) - Here Comes A Memory 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 - [We Get To Choose](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/we-get-to-choose/) - We Get To Choose 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 - [So Much Fun](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/so-much-fun/) - So Much Fun 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 - [Friday Fun and Mudpit](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/friday-fun-and-mudpit/) - Friday Fun and Mudpit 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 - [Real Place, Real Importance](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/real-place-real-importance/) - Real Place, Real Importance 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 - [Our Only Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/our-only-sunday/) - 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 - [Not Even Fair...](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/not-even-fair-2/) - Not Even Fair… 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 - [Full Speed Ahead](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/full-speed-ahead-2/) - Full Speed Ahead Tie-Dye Tuesday had a beautiful start with some early morning cloud cover breaking into blue skies and some welcome sunshine across camp. After yesterday’s socked-in mountain fog, feeling the sun on your skin is delightful, not to mention the effect it has on all that wet camper gear! Breakfast was busy and - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/waikiki-wednesday-7/) - Waikiki Wednesday 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 - [Wish Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/wish-night-2/) - Wish Night Today was our last full day of activities. We still had several trips a river canoe to the French Broad, the high ropes course, and two mountain bike trips in camp where the guys were able to ride several trails all morning or all afternoon. Finally, the rock climbers were out all day - [Welcome Junior Campers!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/welcome-junior-campers-2/) - Welcome Junior Campers! 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 - [Good Morning High Rocks!](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/good-morning-high-rocks-4/) - Good Morning High Rocks! 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 - [What a Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/what-a-wednesday/) - What a Wednesday Our Waikiki Wednesday dawned prettily with blue skies and excited chatter amongst the cabins. That chatter increased to a friendly roar as soon as the wake up bell tolled out and the day was officially going. After working as a group through the morning chores, our guys appeared at the dining hall - [Not Far Now](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/not-far-now-3/) - Not Far Now It was another busy and fun morning here at High Rocks. I was out for a good part of the morning events helping the barn staff load some hay that came in a few days late this week. While it was an unplanned event today, it was certainly well worth it. We - [Until Next Time...](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/until-next-time/) - Until Next Time… It was a quiet morning with the groups out for their cabin overnights. It was fun to see them roll in telling me how it went as soon as they saw me. It is a time-honored tradition that goes back many decades. We feel an overnight camping experience in the woods is - [The Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/08/the-best-of-times-3/) - The Best of Times 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 - [June Camp Opening Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/june-camp-opening-day/) - June Camp Opening Day And just like that, Camp High Rocks is off and running just like it never stopped. June Opening Day is like no other. I like to say it’s like waiting for the winter ice to break. We have worked for months and months to prepare for this day. Like a big - [And To Think It's Just The First Day](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/and-to-think-its-just-the-first-day/) - And To Think It’s Just The First Day I enjoyed the first glance of the lake this morning in a bit of a mountain fog as it slowly lifted into the sky. Not too far behind was the first wake-up bell of the season. It is almost always followed by a primal “Good Morning High - [Tie Dyes and Tacos](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/tie-dyes-and-tacos/) - Tie Dyes and Tacos I sure do like waking up at Camp High Rocks! The calm before the storm is delightful. Our day starts early at the Camp House. My two girls are finishing up high school exams. They actually did a hybrid day with the morning at the barn and the afternoon at school. - [Today Rocked!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/today-rocked/) - Today Rocked! Just another beautiful day at High Rocks! We are enjoying some amazing high-pressure days with cool mornings, and afternoons just warm enough to be excited about some swimming. The activities looked amazing today too. The pictures tell the story of how much fun we are having! It really was quite magical! I know many - [End of the "Work" Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/end-of-the-work-week-3/) - End of the “Work” Week Our first Friday of the year began with a chilly breeze and loud bell ringing to welcome in the day. Now that camp is settling comfortably into a rhythm, campers were up and making beds, cleaning their cabins, and racing to breakfast. While talking about the day’s events to come, - [Launch Day!!!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/launch-day-3/) - Launch Day!!! This particular Saturday had all sorts of good stuff going on. Each activity pulled out some of the most awesome Saturday events today. It was really incredible to see all the learning, laughing, and even some launching!!! (See what I did there :)). The day started out at a chilly 47 degrees! You - [We Love Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/22539-2/) - We Love Sunday I love Sunday mornings at High Rocks! This morning was a particularly wonderful morning. A cool breeze, sun, and I get to sleep in a little bit later than 6:30 am. Although I still woke up early, it felt a little more restful since I did not have to rush off to - [Best of Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/22550-2/) - Best of Times Our Monday started off with a bang as climbing, paddling, and mountain biking had trips out the door early this morning. After a nice rain late last night, the blue skies and wonderful breeze all day long made for a great start to the week! Crafts moved from rockets to tie-dye. I - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/tie-dye-tuesday-4/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday With another cool morning to kick off our camp day, the weather luck keeps rolling as the bell brought camp alive. Blue skies with very few wispy clouds were overhead and a tasty breakfast awaited the hungry camp horde as it rolled in. Don and I were commenting today at how natural a - [Over The Hump](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/over-the-hump-2/) - Over The Hump It was another mountain morning up t High Rocks! Life at 3000 feet sure feels different. I really enjoy the cool mornings. I think it makes it feel like camp. Put on a cozy sweatshirt and by the end of breakfast, it’s down to the tee shirt. Really, the June session campers - [Jersday Thursday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/jersday-thursday/) - Jersday Thursday Life is good on the mountain! Not only do we enjoy all the wonderful views, cool mornings, a passing shower, and even wonderful sunsets. Mountain life has many advantages. Especially, life at 3000 feet. This morning it was a cool 50 degrees. We got to about 75 degrees today. While that may seem - [Camp on Cruise Control](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/camp-on-cruise-control/) - Camp on Cruise Control Though breezy and cool this morning in what has become the norm, the day felt like it was heating up quickly. The routine clicked into place as soon as that bell tolled. It is amazing the feel of the place when everyone knows what their roles are in different parts of - [Good Times](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/good-times/) - Good Times First, let me apologize for the lack of pictures last night. An error stopped the upload process and since things were moving so smoothly, I had forgotten to check to be sure all was good. Anyhow, I was finally alerted about the issue and I had them all uploaded by mid-morning. Don’t forget - [Upper Senior Challenge and Zombie Apocolypse](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/22626-2/) - Upper Senior Challenge and Zombie Apocolypse It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks! After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then a little bounce-around time in assembly before heading down to the lake - [We Love Mondays](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/22641-2/) - We Love Mondays It’s nice to see everyone back into the groove as we begin the last week of the session. There we a few trips out today with a bunch more headed out tomorrow. These last few days of the session always bring out some excitement as many boys are working on their skills. - [When it Rains, It Pours!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/when-it-rains-it-pours/) - When it Rains, It Pours! After all those days of crystal clear weather, today reminded us that we indeed live on the edge of a temperate rain forest. The bell rang true through the early downpour and the lure of hot breakfast was strong as camp gathered for eggs, sausage, coffee cake, and some of - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-2/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It sure has been a crazy few days. As a camp director, it is these days that help challenge us to bring the best. We took the weather in stride, adjusted a few events to create some fun, and just embraced being at camp. We still had a couple - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/end-game-and-final-campfire-5/) - End Game and Final Campfire Here’s to another wonderful session and a great June! When you meet up with your son tomorrow, I can’t guarantee he will have all the paint from the end game washed off. And given the rain, even after some last-minute laundry, it is likely that everything is wet. What I can - [Four Week and Mini I Opening Day!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/four-week-and-mini-i-opening-day/) - Four Week and Mini I Opening Day! 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 - [Here Comes the Adventure!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/here-comes-the-adventure/) - Here Comes the Adventure! 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 - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/waikiki-wednesday-8/) - Waikiki Wednesday 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 - [Watch The Magic Happen](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/watch-the-magic-happen/) - Watch The Magic Happen 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, - [Heading into the Weekend](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/06/heading-into-the-weekend/) - Heading into the Weekend It is hard to believe that its already Friday of the session’s first week. It is typically about this time that campers have acquired both their sea-legs and the routine. The acceleration into camp life is a blast and a challenge at the same time. Few of our guys come into - [Pancake Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/pancake-saturday-3/) - Pancake Saturday 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 - [Goldrush Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/22771-2/) - Goldrush Sunday 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 - [Still Crushing It!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/22777-2/) - Still Crushing It! 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 - [Independence Day!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/independence-day/) - Independence Day! 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 - [Wildlife Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/wildlife-wednesday/) - Wildlife Wednesday After a day like yesterday, with such extravagant displays of patriotic enthusiasms from dawn to dusk, it was no surprise that this morning began on a quieter note… It could hardly have done otherwise, but begin it did with biscuits, sausage, eggs, grits, fruits, and a comfort in restored routine. Though a calm - [Life Is Good on the Mountain](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/life-is-good-on-them-mountain/) - Life Is Good on the Mountain 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 - [End of the "Work" Week](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/end-of-the-work-week-4/) - End of the “Work” Week In what is becoming a normal pattern this July, the morning was bright, clear, and lightly cool at the wakeup bell. Cinnamon toast, oatmeal, fruit, cereal, eggs, and sausage launched us into our day and camp was off! A Green river trip was first out the door with a mixed - [Mini I Close and Illahee Dance](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/mini-i-close-and-illahee-dance/) - Mini I Close and Illahee Dance 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 - [A Sunday Reflection](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/a-sunday-reflextion/) - A Sunday Reflection 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 - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/waikiki-wednesday-9/) - Waikiki Wednesday Another Waikiki Wednesday was upon us. Many of the boys broke out their favorite Hawaiian-style shirts and took part in the fun! Our Mini II boys were tearing it up in their second full day of activities. It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed the slightly cooler weather and sun throughout the day! - [Welcome Mini II Campers!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/welcome-mini-ii-campers-4/) - Welcome Mini II Campers! 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 - [Oh Those Summer Nights](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/oh-those-summer-nights/) - Oh Those Summer Nights Tie-Dye Taco Tuesday is always a good day to be at camp. So the beautiful cool start to the morning matched to the bluebird skies was just a handy bonus. And a perfect way to welcome our freshly arrived Mini guys to their first full camp day! Breakfast consisted of cereals, - [Watch The Story Unfold](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/just-watch-the-story-unfold/) - Watch The Story Unfold Another action-packed day here at Camp High Rocks! The first thing I heard as I made my way out to enjoy the peace of camp with my dogs was the beginning of the “mini men” returning from their adventure in the woods. The Hillside boys were the first back at around - [Just Horsing Around](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/just-horsing-around/) - Just Horsing Around It was notable this morning, walking to the dining hall for an early meeting. The day was already warm (low 70’s) and the sky clear, which indicated a day approaching mountain hot, with the chance of a thunderstorm as the heat builds throughout the morning. Breakfast was busy with trips eating early - [Last Saturday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/last-saturday-2/) - Last Saturday Wow! What a beautiful day! Blue skies with just enough clouds to make it pretty. I love Saturday mornings because it is one of the few mornings we do not have an executive team meeting. It allows me to enjoy the morning a little bit more. Hiking enjoyed some car camping days. Picture - [Upper Senior Challenge and Zombie Apocolypse](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/upper-senior-challenge-and-zombie-apocolypse/) - Upper Senior Challenge and Zombie Apocolypse 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 - [Five Days To Go?](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/five-days-to-go/) - Five Days To Go? The Canadian wildfire smoke created a little haze that created a cool effect as the sun came up this morning. It was quite a delight. Today we were back out on trips and enjoying the fruits of their labor over these last few weeks. The boys are working hard and having - [Lean on Me](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/lean-on-me/) - Lean on Me This tie-died Tuesday was fairly clear, with just a touch of high level haze coming from up north. The bell rang out, camp flowed to breakfast where cinnamon toast always makes the morning seem a bit special. The assembly that had the typical rowdy songs, and some that pulled lightly at the - [Not Far Now...](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/not-far-now-4/) - Not Far Now… It is getting close now! The boys are trying to get that last adventure out of the session before time runs out. We still have the horseback riding “Drill Team” presentation and the final round of the camper-counselor tennis tournament. These are just a few of the last morsels of goodness we - [Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/upper-senior-dinner-and-cabin-night-3/) - Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night What a full day of fun! We still had boys out on trips in several activities including paddling, climbing, and hiking. Some of the boys today just made it into kayaking, and a number of boys just reached their highest rank, the High Rocks Archer, in archery. We even had - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/end-game-and-final-campfire-6/) - End Game and Final Campfire It was a wonderful finish to our July session today. We kicked off the day with our advanced horseback riders giving us a drill team show in the big ring. The next big event was the final match of the counselor-camper tennis match. The final two camper-counselor pairs matched off - [Welcome Two Week Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/welcome-two-week-campers-3/) - Welcome Two Week Campers 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 - [Off To a Great Start!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/23034-2/) - Off To a Great Start! I think the first full day of camp is one of my favorites. The boys have had a little time to be comfortable, but there is still a lot of excitement in the air. They typically wake up early. As in WAY before the wake-up bell. The first cabin clean-up - [Waikiki Wednesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/waikiki-wednesday-10/) - Waikiki Wednesday It was a delightful morning here on the mountain. Life at 3000 feet has its advantages. The blue sky stayed with us all day. The morning breeze picked up as the temperature began to change. It made for a welcoming morning. While it was warm today, we still save a few degrees from - [It Just Keeps Getting Better](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/it-just-keeps-getting-better/) - It Just Keeps Getting Better This morning I enjoyed watching the guys roll in from the woods after their overnights. The stories of the “grit” these overnights teach us are always enjoyable. They even create the best memories. I enjoy hearing about how late they stayed up, who ate the most pita pizzas, or even - [End of the "Work Week"](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/end-of-the-work-week-5/) - End of the “Work Week” Our “work week” closed out today with a morning that was clear and already promising of some summer heat to come. Now, heat for us here on the mountain top may top out in the mid-80’s, but the morning was noticeable nonetheless. Yet the bell rang and the bustle began, - [Saturday FunDay](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/23079-2/) - Saturday FunDay For as long as I have been here, we have had pancakes on Saturday. Throughout High Rocks’ history, there was a time that the director himself would cook pancakes on Saturday since our head cook was off that morning. I tried that for a while, but the program has become much larger and - [Carnival Sunday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/carnival-sunday-3/) - Carnival Sunday So, Sundays at camp are always a little different. We like to slow down a bit, think about the week we just completed, and ponder on the week ahead. This morning was that kind of morning. The sun was coming up and there was a nice cool feel to the mountain air. Just - [Not Far Now](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/07/not-far-now-5/) - Not Far Now It sure was a wonderful morning here at The Rocks. I enjoyed a little coffee on the deck early and enjoyed the change of weather. It was cool and dry this morning. A welcomed change from the last few days. Mondays get busy fast but I sure enjoyed just a few minutes - [Tie-Dye Tuesday](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/tie-dye-tuesday-5/) - Tie-Dye Tuesday This morning was quite the mountain treat as the sun dawned in clear skies. It was cool! The lows last night dipped into the 50’s, making that extra blanket feel so cozy in a bunk bed. You could tell camp was enjoying it because the place was dead quiet before the bell, even - [Fun and Games with a Kick](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/fun-and-games-with-a-kick/) - Fun and Games with a Kick It sure was another great morning here at High Rocks! The cool 64 degrees this morning was a delight! I made it up to our morning meeting only to find scratch-made biscuits being made! A little biscuit, a little jam, add some coffee. Suddenly a 7:30 am meeting doesn’t - [Just One To Go!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/just-one-to-go/) - Just One To Go! Today was our last full day of activities. We still had several trips out today. There were a couple of river canoe trips on the French Broad. The Hillside guys hit the high ropes course. And while it was a little rainy, it was really the first rainy day of the - [End Game and Final Campfire](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/end-game-and-final-campfire-7/) - End Game and Final Campfire Time sure flies in just two weeks. I know you are excited to see your boys, but it seems like they only arrived yesterday. After a fun morning of some activity wrap-up, pony painting, and general excitement, we took a brief break to get packed before the big event of the - [Welcome Junior Campers](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/welcome-junior-campers-3/) - Welcome Junior Campers It sure was an incredible opening day! The perfect weather was delightful! I get so excited to meet new families. It was so great to see how excited the boys were to be here this morning. They have been waiting all summer for this week. It sure was a great way to - [Waking Up with High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/waking-up-with-high-rocks/) - Waking Up with High Rocks It sure was fun waking up to a whole new group of excited boys! I love the mornings up here on the mountain. The nice cool air, and the calm. Once that bell rings, it is off and running. I queried some boys today. They were up pretty early, some - [Having a Blast!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/having-a-blast/) - Having a Blast! It is a true adventure here every day. Some of the time just getting ready for the day is an adventure. I enjoyed cruising through the cabins during clean-up time this morning. Many of the young guys are doing their best to just get their clothes on straight, let alone get the bed - [Cabin Overnights](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/08/cabin-overnights-3/) - Cabin Overnights It was another fantastic day at High Rocks! The boys are still working hard to make it to breakfast on time, but that means they are working hard with their cabin clean-up. There are two of us that do the cabin inspections for this session. Today’s inspections were a very tight race. Bay - [50 Camp Moments We Can't Wait For!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/04/50-camp-moments/) - Camp is JUST around the corner. The countdown is on! We are 50 Days away from the start of our June Three Week Session. There are so many moments we are looking forward to we had to make a list! There is no way we could cover everything in just 50 moments. And we know - [High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Barret Normann](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/high-rocks-alum-spotlight-barret-normann/) - We are back with our second installment in our alumni highlight. This series highlights alumni throughout our years and what they are up to now. Interested in being spotlighted or want to nominate someone doing good work? Email Darby at office@highrocks.com. Our second spotlight features alum Barret Normann. Read our first spotlight on Dalton Langdon - [Camp Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/camp-video-vimeo/) - [2022 Summer Highlights Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/2022-summer-highlights-video/) - 2022 Summer Highlights Video Our 2022 Summer Highlights Video is LIVE! Click the video below to watch. We highly suggest making it full screen. You may be able to spot yourself or a few cabinmates. Footage is from all the fun and adventure from this summer. - [What Families Say About Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/what-families-say-about-camp/) - What Families Say About Camp At the end of each session, we ask parents “Why Camp High Rocks?” Their answers are always enlightening and really show why our parents and campers choose Camp High Rocks. Take a look at what our camp parents have to say! - [Unplugged and Happy](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/unplugged-and-happy/) - Unplugged and Happy Summer camp at High Rocks gives children an opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities such as hiking, camping, arts and crafts, paddling, and many more. These activities can help children to develop important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Additionally, the unplugged environment can help children to - [High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Dalton Langdon](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/03/alum-spotlight-dalton-langdon/) - Whether you went to camp last summer or 50 years ago, High Rocks is your community! Our strong alumni community is built of former campers, staff, parents of campers, and volunteers. It is a community doing impactful, positive work outside of camp! A community carrying on the lessons and skills learned at camp through their - [Hello world!](https://www.highrocks.com/2023/01/hello-world/) - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! - [2022 Summer Highlights Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/12/2022-summer-highlights-video-2/) - Our 2022 Summer Highlights Video is LIVE! Click the video below to watch. We highly suggest making it full screen. You may be able to spot yourself or a few cabinmates. Footage is from all the fun and adventure from this summer. We are excited to be less than 150 days away from Summer 2023! - [Tripping By The Numbers](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/11/tripping-by-the-numbers/) - Camp High Rocks has a rich history and legendary tales of epic trips down swift rivers, rugged overnight backpacking experiences, challenging climbs, and mighty mountain biking descents. In the midst of summer, each morning, camp rings with the voices and bustle of eager individuals waiting to capitalize on the wild adventures that await them. Campers - [A Weekend of Celebration: 65th Reunion](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/09/65th-reunion-recap/) - Spending a weekend at High Rocks is always a treat. When you do it with amazing weather and in the company of High Rockers of all generations, it is something to remember! Our 65th Reunion Weekend took place September 16-18 and was all the fun, the family, and the food one would expect from time - [What a Blast](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/07/what-a-blast/) - In this last week of the session, days begin in both a sleepy and expert fashion. The morning was clear and gorgeous, allowing for the bell ring to carry clear across camp with the responding cheers by the anticipating campers. Our paddlers heading to Section 3 of the Chattooga were the ringers this morning, dragging - [Chill Night is Back](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/06/chill-night-is-back/) - With some record breaking temps all around our area, camp greeted a surprise storm with welcome arms to start the day. The dawn was cloudy with a fresh breeze which paired nicely with a loud-n-proud ringing of the bell to officially begin the morning. For some, the morning had begun even before the 7:45 bell. - [Woody Noland Moving to Camp Director Role](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/04/woody-noland-announcement/) - We are writing today with an exciting announcement for Camp High Rocks and our community. Woody Noland has moved from the role of Associate Director to Camp Director. Along with Don and Elizabeth “Zoob” Gentle, Woody will be a part of our Camp Director team that provides leadership and support to all aspects of camp. - [Meet The Team: Townsend Birdsong](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/03/meet-the-team-townsend-birdsong/) - It is time for another Meet The Team featuring Townsend Birdsong! Check out our previous features of Don Gentle, Woody Noland, and Danny Stewart. Townsend brings a rich variety of skills to camps as owner and a director, she is a key part of our team. Her dedication to the mission of High Rocks and - [2021 Summer Highlights Video](https://www.highrocks.com/2022/01/2021-highlights-video/) - Relive the adventure from last summer. It was an epic summer! This short video offers a glimpse into Summer 2021 and all of the adventures, smiles, and growth that came with it. Can you spot yourself or a few of your cabin mates? We are excited to be less than 150 days away from - [Meet The Team: Don Gentle](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/12/meet-the-team-don-gentle/) - Our Meet The Team Blog is back! We already featured, Woody Noland and Danny Stewart. Now introducing the one, the only... Don Gentle! Don can be found around camp with a pen and pad in his pocket and his dog barley by his side. (Maybe even with a megaphone in hand.) Don is the master - [Fall Happenings Around Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/12/fall-happenings-around-camp/) - The High Rocks office can't believe fall is almost over! The leaves around camp are almost all down. Much to Danny and Nate's delight, most of the trees dropped their leaves over the last week making this a big leaf clean up week. Since the fall started, our team has been busy working on next - [Meet The Team: Danny Stewart](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/11/meet-the-team-danny/) - We started with Woody our camper/counselor extraordinaire and now we are on to the man who keeps camp running, Danny Stewart! If you are just plugging in, this is our new Meet The Team blog series. Read our first post on Woody Noland here. Danny Stewart is our Facilities Manager, Tractor Driver, Cabin Designer, Mr. - [Meet The Team: Woody Noland](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/10/meet-the-team-woody/) - With over 500 campers and 100+ seasonal staff, our full-time camp staff have their hands full! This off-season we are going to introduce you to the folks who help set the tone for camp, create the community, lead by example and so much more all year round. We know a HUGE part of what makes - [Just What We Needed](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/10/19157-2/) - Now that the dust has settled and we have all had some time to think about the summer that was 2021, I can’t help but relive a flurry of emotions. It was incredible seeing Camp High Rocks alive again! The excitement and thrill of the boys being able to come to summer camp was hard - [Will Miss Him](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/04/will-miss-him/) - It sure has been nice to see little light at the end of the tunnel as 2021 moves forward to a little more normalcy every week. We are most excited about having everyone back at camp this summer. As we move into another season and look forward to an exciting 2021, we are sad to - [Camp Is Still Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/2021/01/camp-is-still-camp/) - With 2021 summer on the horizon, more families are asking us what this summer will be like. One of the most common questions our campers are asking is, “Will camp still be the same? Will it still be fun?” We bet camp will be the highlight of your year! Why do we think that? Because ## Pages - [Camp High Rocks for Boys](https://www.highrocks.com/) - Camp High Rocks is a boys summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina. Brave moments on four key pillars: community, adventure, leadership, and independence. - [Camp Evaluation 2026](https://www.highrocks.com/2026-camp-evaluation/) - 2026 Camp High Rocks Parent Evaluation Your feedback is very important to us. The following evaluation is one of the single most important documents that cross our desk. Please take a few minutes to let us know how we did and what we can work on for the coming summer. "*" indicates required fields Step - [Form Confirmation](https://www.highrocks.com/form-confirmation/) - Camp Evaluation Submitted! Thank you! Your feedback has been received. If you feel like you need to speak with us personally, we welcome the conversation. You can call (828)885-2153 or email us using the addresses below. We highly recommend you share our Highlights Video with your camper. See our highlight videos our June sessions below! Don and - [Dates & Rates](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/) - Summer 2026 registration is open with limited spaces. Register now to save your spot! 👋 Dates & Rates Learn About Our Sessions Each summer camp session has unique advantages and attributes, ranging from one to four weeks, and tailored to fit your family’s summer schedule. Junior CampA one-week program specifically designed as a “best of” - [Current Staff](https://www.highrocks.com/current-staff/) - Join Labor Day Weekend at Family Camp – Canoes, Cabins & Campfires 2026! Current Staff Meet our staff for the summer. Who We Hire Meet our Summer 2026 Staff! Grace Adams Hometown: Maynooth, IrelandSchool: Trinity College DublinCampus Involvement: Hockey, Rugby, Musical SocietyYears on Staff: 2What are you looking forward to most about this summer?: Being - [Travel Schedule](https://www.highrocks.com/travel-schedule/) - Travel Schedule Our Fall and Spring schedule. Contact Us In the fall and spring of each year, we will have a mix of virtual and live gatherings! Learn more about Camp High Rocks, meet camp directors, and current campers from the comfort of your own home or at a host family home in a town - [Father-Son Weekends](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/father-son-weekends/) - Father-Son Weekend 2027 Dates: May 7 – May 9, 2027May 14 – May 16, 2027 Registration Opens August 16th Dads, spend your weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains at Camp High Rocks! Father-Son Weekend is open to families considering camp and our current campers, with boys aged 6-12 years. (If space allows, older campers and - [Camp Leadership](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/camp-leadership/) - Leadership Team At Camp High Rocks, our team is dedicated to providing a fun and enriching camper experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With an impressive total of over 180 combined summers at Camp High Rocks, our Camp Leadership Team understands how to craft a truly unforgettable summer experience. We are dedicated to preserving the - [FAQs](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/faqs/) - Frequently Asked Questions We understand the worries about sending your son to overnight camp for the first time. It’s both exciting and a bit stressful. Entrusting your child to someone else is a tough decision. Picking the right camp for your family is important, gathering all the information can help you make an educated decision. - [Blog & Camp Photos](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/blog-photos/) - Camp Blog Our Camp Directors, typically Don Gentle and Woody Noland, post a daily blog each evening that covers the day’s events, highlights from trips, weather updates, and other news from camp. You can find our blog post at the link below. This is a great way to follow along with your camper’s day and - [Father-Son Eval](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/father-son-weekends/father-son-eval/) - 2026 Father-Son Evaluation Your feedback is very important to us. Please take a few minutes to let us know how we did and what we can work on for our 2027 Father-Son Weekends! EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Your Name(Required) First Last Email(Required) How would you rate your overall experience?Strongly - [Father-Son Details Form](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/father-son-weekends/father-son-details-form/) - This form will be active in the spring. To register for Father-Son Weekend, please click on the "Future Families" link above and then click on the Father-Son Weekends title. Registration for our 2027 Weekends opens in mid-August. - [Best Boys Summer Camp in North Carolina](https://www.highrocks.com/best-boys-summer-camp-north-carolina/) - Camp High Rocks, is the best boys summer camp, where adventure meets growth in the mountains of Western North Carolina for boys ages 7-16. - [Boy Scout Merit Badges](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/boy-scout-merit-badges/) - Boy Scout Merit Badge Program Camp High Rocks is an adventure-oriented camp located in the mountains of North Carolina. While we are not a scouting camp, we are able to offer campers the opportunity to work on Merit Badges during the Three and Four Week Sessions. Our program is great for Boys Scouts wishing to - [Accommodations](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/accommodations/) - Accommodations Review our cabin options for Family Camp. Below are the descriptions of the different locations at Camp High Rocks where you can enjoy your stay. We have three cabin options and one house for rent. Once you find a location you like, you can make your selection on the registration form. We suggest asking - [Blog](https://www.highrocks.com/blog/) - Join Labor Day Weekend at Family Camp – Canoes, Cabins & Campfires 2026! Camp High Rocks Blog Swinging into the Weekend Swinging into the Weekend I don’t know if I’m acclimating to the heat or if it was just a bit cooler today, but this morning was nice on top of the mountain. A light breeze and - [Future Families](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/) - Discover Camp High Rocks, an overnight boys summer camp where boys grow in confidence, independence, and friendship. Learn what families can expect. - [Family Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/) - Family Camp September 4th – 7th, 2026Labor Day Weekend: Friday – Monday The Ultimate Labor Day Family TraditionEscape screens and schedules this Labor Day weekend. Join us at Camp High Rocks for a long weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains designed to bring your family closer together. Whether you’re scaling the climbing wall, paddling across - [Camp Store](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/camp-store/) - Camp High Rocks Store Welcome to the Camp High Rocks Pre-Order Store! If you have any questions about sizing, color options, shipping, or availability of items, please feel free to contact us anytime at office@highrocks.com or (828) 885-2153. "*" indicates required fields Step 1 of 2 50% FacebookThis field is for validation purposes and should - [Meals at Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/meals-at-camp/) - Meals At Camp Food is crucial to a great camp experience. At Camp High Rocks, we want to make sure our campers enjoy plenty of delicious food! If you ask around, you will hear firsthand how good our food is.We spend a good deal of time planning the menus, testing, selecting the best food choices, - [Adventure Starts At High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/adventure-starts-at-high-rocks/) - Looking for an all-boys summer camp? Camp High Rocks offers overnight, screen-free 1–4 week sessions filled with adventure and connection. - [Camp Forms](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/camp-forms/) - Camper Forms Our forms dashboard called My.HighRocks will open for registered families in early March! The dashboard will have all of your camper forms to complete online, download and sign, along with other useful information. Please check your email for login information regarding My.HighRocks in early March. Late registered families will see this email within - [Nearby Accommodations](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/nearby-accommodations/) - Nearby Overnight Accommodations Overnight accommodations in the vicinity include the establishments listed below. There is a lot of local information available at www.visitwaterfalls.com. Other possibilities include hotels in Greenville, SC, Asheville, NC, and Hendersonville, NC. Each city is about a one-hour drive from camp. We suggest making reservations as early as possible, especially if you plan to be in - [What to Bring](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/what-to-bring/) - Want more? Try our Father-Son Weekends or Family Camp Weekend! What to Bring to Camp Packing for camp can be a great experience with your campers. We get many questions regarding packing, and have done our best to give our best tips and advice below. Packing List for Camp The best place to start is - [Current Families](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/) - Current Families Everything you need to be ready for the summer. Director Welcome All of us here at Camp High Rocks would like to extend to you and your son a most sincere welcome! We look forward to working with you this summer and will do our best to make your son’s stay with us - [Health & Medications](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/health-medications/) - Health & Medications It is our goal to provide the safest and healthiest camp experience we can for your son. Our well-trained medical professionals are at camp to provide support and care for campers who are not feeling well. They are a warm, welcoming team who are excited to support each camper. How We Care - [Request Info](https://www.highrocks.com/request-info/) - 👋 Summer 2026 registration is open with limited space available. Get in touch today! Request Information​ If you would like more information about High Rocks and what we have to offer, please fill out the form below. To receive a brochure in the mail, please fill in your address. We will be in touch shortly! - [Activities](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/) - Interested? Trying starting with Family Camp Weekend or Father-Son Weekend. Summer Camp Activities The hallmark of our skill-based program is the self-selection of five activities which campers attend regularly unless a trip or extended activity occurs, such as a three-day hike, a canoe trip, or a morning spent rock climbing.Our emphasis in each activity is - [Trunks](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/trunks/) - Trunks For Camp We recommend campers pack for camp using a trunk (soft-sided trunk or traditional footlocker) and a duffle bag. The duffle is perfect for bedding, extra sheets, and other soft items like towels. This will be tucked away once everyone is unpacked. The trunk will be what the boys live out of as - [Leadership Program](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/leadership-program/) - Camp High RocksSummit Leadership Program Join our Camp Leadership Program in Western North Carolina. Apply Online Empowering Leaders, Building Futures The High Rocks experience is full of opportunities to engage in leadership. Our campers model their counselor mentors in learning to help others, taking personal responsibility, and looking for ways to contribute to the community. - [Registration Policies](https://www.highrocks.com/registration-policies/) - Registration Policies For the past two decades, most of our sessions have had waiting lists. Some of our age groups fill quickly while others may still have available spots in November. In general, our older age groups (finished sixth grade and older) in our longer sessions fill earliest; younger age groups in our shorter sessions - [Florida Families Choose Boys Summer Camp at High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/florida-families-choose-boys-summer-camp-at-high-rocks/) - Camp High Rocks Florida Families Choose Boys Summer Camp at High Rocks A premier summer camp for boys and Florida families, where adventure meets growth in the mountains of Western North Carolina. High Rocks is a Great Boys Summer Camp for Florida Parents Our location in the mountains of Western North Carolina has appealed to families - [2025 Alumni Newsletter](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/newsletters/alumni-newsletter-2025/) - Alumni Newsletter Winter 2025 Catch up on the latest news, updates, and celebrations from High Rocks. Happy Winter from Camp High Rocks! As we reflect on the past year and our summer season, we are struck by how timeless the High Rocks experience truly is. From our earliest days in 1958 our mission has guided - [Mini Sessions](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/mini-sessions/) - Mini Sessions For boys currently in 2nd – 6th grade. See Our Other Sessions Our Mini Sessions are a great place for many boys to begin their summer camp experience at Camp High Rocks! Nestled into our three and four-week sessions, they are a great opportunity for a younger brother to start out in a - [Camp Video](https://www.highrocks.com/camp-video/) - Summer 2026 registration is NOW OPEN! Camp Videos Get a taste of what camp is like. Learn more about our program. And imagine yourself at camp! Take A Look At More Camp Videos: Life Unplugged Less stress, more confidence, and better connections. Our Unplugged Strategy A Letter Home When every day is an adventure, there’s - [Quick Facts](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/quick-facts/) - Quick Facts about Camp High Rocks We are known for our small enrollment, beautiful setting, and core values. Camp High Rocks All boys, overnight campFounded in 1958, Family Owned & OperatedOffering 1, 2, 3 or 4 Week SessionAccredited by the American Camp Association4 Core Values – Community, Adventure, Leadership, and IndependenceSmall Cabin Size with 5 - [Alumni](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/) - Camp High Rocks Alumni Welcome back, Alumni and Friends! Update Your Contact Info Reconnect with Camp Thinking about your time at High Rocks can bring back such great memories. Whether you are long time camper or have just finished your first year on staff, connecting with the generations of alumni here at High Rocks can - [Campership Fund](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/campership-fund/) - Camp High Rocks Campership Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Helping those who could not otherwise come to High Rocks. Consider Giving The “Camp High Rocks Campership Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina” was founded in 2003 and is in memory of camp founders, Sumner and Jane Williams. Since - [Family Camp FAQs](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/family-camp-faqs/) - Family Camp FAQ's We know you might have lots of questions as you consider joining us and plan for your Family Camp weekend. Below, you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions to help you feel prepared, relaxed, and ready for a fun-filled getaway with your family. Where is Camp High Rocks located? Why - [Explore Family Camp Activities At Camp High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/explore-family-camp-activities-at-camp-high-rocks/) - Discover family camp activities for all ages. See kids club options, adult activities, photos, and download a free family camp planner. - [Family Camp Registration](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/family-camp-registration/) - Family Camp Registration Come join us Labor Day Weekend 2026 || September 4th - 7th, 2026 || Complete the registration for below to secure your spot. Please be sure to read our Family Camp page for details. We looked forward to having welcoming you. Step 1 of 3 33% InstagramThis field is for validation purposes - [Our Program](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/our-program/) - Our Program We design our program based around campers needs with a focus on FUN and personal growth. More Than Just A Summer Camp Our camp program allows campers to pick their activities to pursue at camp. We run over 15 activities, along with evening programs, and spectacular special activities. Whether it’s conquering the climbing - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.highrocks.com/terms-conditions/) - Terms and Conditions Please read through our registration policies as well. Registration Policies In addition to the registration policies, please look over all of these terms and conditions before you register to make sure that Camp High Rocks is the best fit for your child. Camp High Rocks is a rustic camp situated in a - [Family Camp Feedback](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/familycamp-feedback/) - We Value Your Feedback - [Apply Now](https://www.highrocks.com/apply-now/) - Apply Online Start Your High Rocks Journey Enroll To Secure Your Spot We are excited that you have decided to join us. Whether this marks a brave new step for your son or continues a summer tradition, we are proud to partner with you. Application Steps Our Registration for Summer 2026 is NOW OPEN.Applications will - [Local Girls Camps](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/local-girls-camps/) - North Carolina Summer Camps for Girls Below is a list of North Carolina summer camps for girls, all located in the mountains of North Carolina. There is a brief description here for each, and all have websites with detailed information you can access.The best way to select a camp is to visit the facility, meet - [Make Payment](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/make-payment/) - Fees & Payments Payment Schedule: Payments for camp are due as follows:With Application: $1,000 (partially refundable until February 1) Click Here to make application deposit. February 1st: 1/2 of remaining balance (non-refundable). Click HereApril 1st: Final payment is due. Click HereClick here for any other online payment. Please see our Registration Policies for complete details. Camp Store: The - [Family Camp Arrival Details](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/family-camp-arrival-details/) - [Opening & Closing Day](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/opening-closing-day/) - Opening Day & Closing Day Opening Day and Closing Day are important parts of each camper’s experience. Below are our current plans for Opening and Closing Day. As we plan for each summer, our plans may slightly alter. We will always be in touch with updates and procedures as we get closer to your session. - [Our Facilities](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/our-facilities/) - Our Beautiful Setting Our Property Sets The Scene for an Amazing Summer Camp Experience 1100-acres of woodland11-acre private lake15 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian.All sitting at an elevation of 3000 feet What We Believe There's More... Our 3000 foot elevation keeps it cool enough to enjoy the open-air cabins and warm - [Sample Text](https://www.highrocks.com/sample-text/) - 👋 Hey, this is an important announcement in 0.7em text. You should pay attention. Text Styles Heading OneHeading TwoHeading ThreeHeading FourHEADING FIVEHeading Six Click Here Paragraph Text Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco - [Sample Page](https://www.highrocks.com/sample-page/) - 👋 Hey, this is an important announcement in 0.7em text. You should pay attention. Heading Text Click here Heading TextBulletedListItemsNumberedListItems Click Here Our boys summer camp focuses on the individual, with around 160 campers and 80 staff members. We want to create a sense of community and a “home away from home,” and are able - [July Session](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/july-session/) - July Session For boys currently in 1st – 10th grade. See Our Other Sessions Four Week is the ultimate camp experience. Longer trips, special activities, and advanced lessons. The right amount of time to create meaningful lifelong friendships in our tight-knit community. Our signature program, held in the middle of the summer, is meant for - [Remembering Jane Bell Williams](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/remembering-jane-bell-williams/) - Remembering Jane Bell Williams Jane Bell Williams began her camping career early, growing up at her father’s camp, Camp Mondamin for boys, and later Camp Green Cove for girls. She developed many lifelong passions including flying, traveling, horseback riding, canoeing, skiing, and snake wrangling. She also learned a fierce independence and a strength of will - [Junior Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/junior-camp/) - Junior Camp For boys currently in K – 4th grade. See Our Other Sessions Explore the High Rocks experience with our Junior Camp—a perfect introduction for boys to have fun and gain confidence away from home. This session lays the foundation for longer sessions. One week of pure fun tailored for younger campers! With smaller - [Privacy Policy](https://www.highrocks.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices of highrocks.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website from you. It will notify you of the following: What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website, how it is used, and with whom it may be shared. What choices are - [Daily Schedule & Bunk Life](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/daily-schedule-bunk-life/) - Daily Schedule & Bunk Life We have built our camp programs with the needs of boys in mind. Each day of camp brings a mixture of new activities and established routines.No alarms. No carpool lines. No uniforms. Just summer camp. While no two camper schedules are the same, campers’ schedules all follow this rubric. Fixed points - [Ropes Course](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/ropes-course/) - Ropes Course Our high ropes course is a challenging and exciting series of events staged 40 feet off the ground around our climbing tower. Trained staff members lead campers of all ages through the Burma Bridge, Postman’s Walk, Catwalk, Cargo Net Traverse, Zip-Line or any of eleven additional elements. A Special Activity While the Ropes - [Communication](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/communication/) - Communication During Camp There are a few different ways we will stay in touch with you during the summer session. You will receive correspondence from camp in the form of letters from your son’s counselor, a newsletter from our directors, and daily blogs/photos posted online.If a question or concern about your camper comes up, please - [Contact Us](https://www.highrocks.com/contact-us/) - Contact Us We invite you to contact us for more information. We are available for camp tours if you would like to see High Rocks firsthand. Book a Tour Address & Contact Information Phone Number 828-885-2153 Mailing Address Camp High RocksP.O. Box 210Cedar Mountain, NC 28718 UPS & FedEx Camp High Rocks1234 High Rocks RoadBrevard, - [Crafts](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/crafts/) - Arts & Crafts Arts and Crafts at High Rocks is much more than lanyard-making (though lanyards remain a popular free-time project for many campers). A wide variety of projects gives each camper, even those who aren’t as confident in their artistic faculties, a daily opportunity to be creative.Rocketry, sketching, candle-making, and tie-dyeing represent a few of the - [Fishing](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/fishing/) - Fishing Simply put, our campers love to fish on our 11 acre lake! Fishing is one of our fastest growing activities. It is offered as a daily instructional activity and as a free-time activity. Using single barbless hooks, campers learn such skills as how to bait and cast, reel in their catch, and help develop - [Swimming](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/swimming/) - Swimming High Rocks’s eleven-acre lake provides the perfect place for campers to cool off after having fun under the warm summer sun either as an activity of instruction or during our choice period time.For campers who elect to take an hour of daily instruction in swimming, teaching is geared towards coaching an individual stroke and - [Sailing](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/sailing/) - Sailing Sailing is offered as an instructional activity and as a free-time activity for those who make sailing a part of their daily activity rotation. Our eleven-acre lake is large enough for boaters to enjoy a windy day, but small enough that our sailors are never too far from shore.In class, the campers start by - [Basketball](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/basketball/) - Basketball Basketball may be offered as an activity choice or during our choice period depending on the session. As an activity, we work on campers’ fundamentals, game play, and technical skills. As a choice period and free time activity, we often have games of HORSE or pick up going! Our Four Week Session will occasionally - [Soccer](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/soccer/) - Soccer Soccer instruction at High Rocks focuses on the development of fundamental skills, teamwork, and having fun. Many campers come to High Rocks with prior experience and a great love for the game, but the style of our program differs from more competition-intensive programs in which many of those who already play participate.Soccer camp activities are designed to coach - [Tennis](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/tennis/) - Tennis Tennis instruction at High Rocks focuses on the development of fundamental skills and having fun! Many campers come to High Rocks with prior experience and a great love for the game, but the style of our program differs from more competition-focused programs. We provide an exciting, safe environment for campers to learn the game of tennis through skill-building - [Pottery](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/pottery/) - Pottery While learning a variety of techniques for both molding and finishing clay is the instructional focus of the pottery program at High Rocks, the overall program goal is to give the boys the joy of exercising their own creativity. Hands On Campers gain hands on experience in a ceramics studio learning new techniques. Class - [Archery](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/archery/) - Archery Archery is one of our most popular activities among campers! Campers come back year after year to sharpen their skills and achieve personal bests. Interested in Archery? Campers, can expect qualified, motivated staff who are excited to teach. We will start with the fundamentals of shooting target arrows from a recurved bow while providing - [Riflery](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/riflery/) - Riflery There are few places better than camp to be introduced to firearm handling and shooting due to the safe, controlled environment created by our staff. Our riflery program at High Rocks teaches campers vital safety procedures and practices, coaches improved accuracy and technique, and ensures that the overall focus is on fun and personal - [Horseback Riding](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/horseback-riding/) - Horseback Riding We offer a quality riding program under the supervision of skilled instructors, on well-schooled horses, with proper, well-maintained equipment. Our facilities include barns housing twenty horses, three instruction rings, lush fields, and extensive trails on High Rocks’ 1,100 acres of woodlands.Our Horseback riding camp activity blends instruction in technique and horsemanship together through one-on-one - [Backpacking](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/backpacking/) - Hiking & Backpacking The Hiking program at High Rocks offers campers a fun and exciting opportunity to experience the pleasure of self-reliance, discover the natural beauty of our unique region, and develop a skill set for living safely and comfortably in the woods. With over 1,000 acres of property bosting 15+ miles of hiking trails, - [Mountain Biking](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/mountain-biking/) - Mountain Biking Our mountain biking camp program emphasizes proper riding techniques, safety awareness, and enjoyment of the wilderness. Also, campers learn about the parts of the bike and safety equipment such as helmets, eye protection, and gloves. Our bike shop houses mountain bikes for all sizes and provides room for campers that wish to bring - [Whitewater Canoeing](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/whitewater-canoeing/) - Whitewater Canoeing Tandem, open whitewater canoeing has been a core component of the High Rocks program since 1958 and we are very proud that our campers have an opportunity to be a part of this longstanding tradition. Starting in two-person open canoes offers campers a high vantage point from which they may better learn reading - [Disc Golf](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/disc-golf/) - Disc Golf Disc golf is a fantastic recreational sport that mirrors traditional golf but uses frisbee-like discs instead of clubs and balls. Disc golf is increasing in popularity throughout the country and at Camp High Rocks. With its emphasis on outdoor play and friendly competition, disc golf is the perfect camp activity!Our 18-hole course offers - [What We Believe](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/what-we-believe/) - What We Believe The power of the camp experience. At High Rocks, we believe in fun and learning, challenge and adventure, and creating an environment geared to a camper’s needs and interests. We Believe We believe a well-trained staff can have an enormous impact on a young boy, teaching and inspiring lasting skills and values. - [Why Camp High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/why-camp-high-rocks/) - The High Rocks Difference What sets High Rocks apart from the rest? Since 1958, families have entrusted Camp High Rocks with their sons’ summer experiences. Selecting the right camp is a significant decision. Explore further to discover the High Rocks difference. 1. Small Enrollment We intentionally have a low camp capacity so no one gets - [Who We Hire](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/who-we-hire/) - Who We Hire Recruiting and hiring the best summer staff. The selection of the counselor staff is the most important choice that we as directors make. No camp, regardless of its facilities and equipment, can function without the backbone of an outstanding staff. Our cabin counselors must have completed at least one year of college - [Is Your Child Ready?](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/is-your-child-ready/) - Is Your Child Ready? Read these 6 signs! Knowing when your child is ready for sleepaway camp isn’t always as simple as hitting a certain age or milestone. Not all children are ready for camp at the same time. Here are a few signs that your camper is ready and will thrive at summer camp. - [Texas Families Choose Boys Summer Camp at High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/texas-families-choose-boys-summer-camp-at-high-rocks/) - Camp High Rocks Camp High Rocks -A Premier Summer Camp for Boys A premier summer camp for boys from Texas, where adventure meets growth in the mountains of Western North Carolina. High Rocks is a Great Boys Summer Camp for Texas Parents Our location in the mountains of Western North Carolina has appealed to families in - [Raleigh Families Choose Boys Summer Camp at High Rocks](https://www.highrocks.com/raleigh-families-choose-boys-summer-camp-at-high-rocks/) - Camp High Rocks Raleigh Families Choose Boys Summer Camp at High Rocks A premier summer camp for boys and Raleigh families, where adventure meets growth in the mountains of Western North Carolina. High Rocks is a Great Boys Summer Camp for Raleigh Parents Our location in the mountains of Western North Carolina has appealed to - [Premier Summer Camp for Boys](https://www.highrocks.com/premier-summer-camp-for-boys/) - Camp High Rocks Camp High Rocks -A Premier Summer Camp for Boys A premier summer camp for boys, where adventure meets growth in the mountains of Western North Carolina. What makes us a premier summer camp for boys? Family Run, Founded in 1958 Camp High Rocks is a private, overnight boys summer camp located in - [Whitewater Kayaking](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/whitewater-kayaking/) - Whitewater Kayaking Kayaking At Summer Camp By first building a foundation of skills in tandem canoeing, we ensure that all campers who elect to move into solo boating are equipped with not only the strokes necessary for success, but also the safety principles and river awareness required for tackling rivers in a smaller, more maneuverable - [Rock Climbing](https://www.highrocks.com/activities/rock-climbing/) - Rock Climbing Rock climbing is one of the more popular activities at Camp High Rocks and offers unique opportunities for personal growth (as well as unrivaled vistas). Campers begin their progression of skills by learning about the basic knots, equipment, and safety procedures associated with climbing. After mastering the fundamentals, campers are coached on their - [Alumni Updates](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/alumni-updates/) - Alumni Updates Update Us on You Alumni, we can't wait to hear what you have been up to. We would love to hear any news, life updates, funny memories or stories. You could even be featured in our upcoming Alumni Newsletter. By filling out this form you are agreeing to allow Camp High Rocks, Inc. - [Update Your Alumni Contact Information](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/update-alumni-contact-information/) - Update Your Alumni Contact Information We often do not have your most current email or address. Please update your contact information below so we can make sure we are sending you our camp updates and news! Help us stay connected to you. Alumni Update Contact Information Form Thank you for staying connected with Camp High - [Past Reunions](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/past-reunions/) - Past Reunions Take a look back on past Reunion Weekends through our newsletter updates.65th Coming Soon!60th Coming Soon! Upcoming Reunions Plan for Fall 2027 as we celebrate 70 years! Make sure to keep your contact information updated so we can send you an invite. Back Alumni Home - [Newsletters](https://www.highrocks.com/alumni/newsletters/) - Alumni Newsletters Check out the latest camp news. Our Most Recent Newsletter Read our updates from Summer 2020. Click Here Back Alumni Home - [Electronics Policy](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/electronics-policy/) - An Unplugged Summer An extended break from screens helps campers disconnect from technology and reconnect with one another. Children come to camp to make friends and learn to navigate new friendships. The best way to do this is face-to-face, rather than staring at a screen.At Camp High Rocks, we are unplugged. Our policy is as - [Traveling to Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/traveling-to-camp/) - Traveling to Camp We are looking forward to welcoming you to camp! You are welcome to arrive by car or by air. More information about Opening & Closing Day including arrival times and details can be found here. Travel By Car High Rocks is located along Highway 276 in Cedar Mountain, NC. The camp entrance - [August Session](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/august-session/) - August Session For boys currently in 1st – 7th grade. See Our Other Sessions Our Two Week August Session is a great place for many boys to begin their summer camp experience at Camp High Rocks! It is a well rounded session that is very popular with our younger campers. Many of our first-time campers - [June Session](https://www.highrocks.com/dates-rates/june-session/) - June Session For boys currently in 1st – 10th grade. See Our Other Sessions Jumpstart your summer with our Three-Week Session in June! Ideal for new and returning campers, being long enough for a meaningful experience that fits busy summer schedules. Our Three Week session stands out with increased opportunities for advancement and numerous out-of-camp - [Take A Tour](https://www.highrocks.com/take-a-tour/) - Experience Camp High Rocks Visit us and learn about our unique camp program. Book A Tour There’s something very special about High Rocks. You will sense it when you step on campus from your first greeting to our wave goodbye. We are excited to meet you and show you around camp! Taking a tour is - [Refer A Friend](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/refer-a-friend/) - Refer A Friend We are grateful for how many of our families consistently recommend camp to friends and family. You understand the profound transformative experience young boys can experience at camp, and we want to show our gratitude.As a thank-you for your efforts in spreading the word, you will receive a $200 tuition credit for - [Family Camp Participation Agreement](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/family-camp/family-camp-participation-agreement/) - Family Camp Participation Agreement Learn More About Family Camp Please fill out the details below and read through the release form. We need one form for each adult member. Minors can be added with the adult forms. You will have an opportunity to sign additional forms after your complete one. Name First Last Address Street - [Homesickness](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/homesickness/) - Helping with Homesickness Developing independence while at camp may mean overcoming a degree of homesickness for some children. Camp can take some time to adjust to. By following the advice below, you can help your son transition into camp successfully. The foundations of a great camp experience are often laid months before opening day. Normalize - [Next Steps](https://www.highrocks.com/next-steps/) - Watch Our Video Request Info Take a Tour Try Camp Next Steps Choose your next step on your journey to camp! Watch Our Video Request Info Take a Tour Try Camp Have a question? Get in touch! Email office@highrocks.com or call (828)885-2153. We are happy to assist you. - [Preparing Your Son for Camp](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/preparing-your-camper-and-yourself/) - Preparing For Camp Embarking on a camp adventure can stir up a mix of excitement and nervousness for both campers and parents. Whether it's your first time or your tenth, read through our guide below to help you prepare. Camper Prep: Camp life is an adjustment for most children. Here are a few ideas to - [Father-Son Participation Agreement](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/father-son-weekends/father-son-participation-agreement/) - Our Participation Agreement is no longer available. - [Father-Son Application](https://www.highrocks.com/future-families/father-son-weekends/father-son-application/) - Our Father-Son Registration for our 2026 Weekends has closed. Registration for our 2027 Weekends will open in mid-August. If you have questions about the weekend or would like to get on our email list to receive a registration reminder, please call us at (828) 885-2153 or email office@highrocks.com. - [US Forest Service Information](https://www.highrocks.com/us-forest-service-information/) - US Forest Service Information U.S. Forest Service Special Uses Permit Holder Camp High Rocks and all of its programs hold a Forest Service Special Use Permit to operate on national forest lands including Pisgah, Nantahala, Sumter, and Cheoah National Forests. Permits are issued for recreation uses that serve the public, promote health and safety, and - [Camper Application](https://www.highrocks.com/camper-application/) - You are now creating your child's record in our camp database. Please use proper capitalization and be as accurate as possible. If you would like to register for father-son weekends, please go to: Father-Son Weekends. Current Photo (optional): (JPEG format only) Camper's First Name: Camper's Middle Name: Camper's Last Name: Camper's Preferred Name: Birthdate: (mm/dd/yyyy) - [Directions](https://www.highrocks.com/directions/) - How to Find Us As we are in the mountains and cell service is sparse, we suggest starting your GPS before you set off on your drive. Be mindful that it is taking you to our location.GPS Address: 1234 High Rocks Road, Brevard NC 28712 GPS Directions If you have a phone that uses Google - [Site Map](https://www.highrocks.com/site-map/) - Pages Alumni Alumni Updates Campership Fund Newsletters 2025 Alumni Newsletter Past Reunions Remembering Jane Bell Williams Update Your Alumni Contact Information Camp High Rocks for Boys Camper Application Current Staff Registration Policies Request Info Take A Tour Terms & Conditions Travel Schedule US Forest Service Information Future Families Is Your Child Ready? Who We Hire - [Nondiscrimination](https://www.highrocks.com/current-families/nondiscrimination/) - [Test Page](https://www.highrocks.com/test-page/) - Heading Text Click here Heading Text Click here Heading Text Click Here Adventure Camp Activities Our boys sleepaway camp’s Adventure Program activities are packed full of action, fun, and memorable experiences that your son will love. Zipline Whitewater Canoeing Rock Climbing Zipline Whitewater Canoeing Rock Climbing - [Template Sample Page 2](https://www.highrocks.com/template-sample-page-2/) - Template Sample Page 2 Cards Zipline Whitewater Canoeing Rock Climbing Text Left (for Cards) Our boys sleepaway camp’s Adventure Program activities are packed full of action, fun, and memorable experiences that your son will love. Zipline Whitewater Canoeing Rock Climbing Text Left on Blue and Mountains (for Cards) Our boys sleepaway camp’s Adventure Program activities - [Template Sample Page](https://www.highrocks.com/template-sample-page/) - Template Sample Page The High Rocks website uses Elementor Templates. Text with Button This template will be used repeatedly on most pages. You may add one or two paragraphs in a Text with Button template, and then follow it with a Hero, photo, or another block. The Heading, Text, and Button are all optional so ## ElementsKit items - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2676](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2676/) - Future Families Watch the Fun Why Camp High Rocks What We Believe Our Program Travel Schedule - Meet & Greets Daily Schedule & Bunk Life Quick Facts Father-Son Weekends Family Camp Camp Leadership Our Facilities Is Your Child Ready? FAQs Quick Links Dates & Rates Apply Online Take A Tour Watch Our Video - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2681](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2681/) - Current Families View Packing List Preparing for Camp Preparing Your Camper and Yourself Camp Forms What to Bring - Packing List & Laundry Camp Store Trunks Homesickness Meals at Camp Health & Medications Refer A Friend Local Girls Camps Coming to Camp Opening & Closing Day Traveling to Camp Nearby Accommodations Baggage & Trunk Shipping - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1872](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1872/) - Activities See Our Activities Canoeing Rock Climbing Kayaking Mountain Biking Hiking & Backpacking Horseback Riding Archery Riflery Pottery High Ropes Course Sailing Disc Golf Soccer Crafts Fishing Swimming Tennis Basketball Zip Line Boy Scout Merit Badges - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem80](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem80/) - Watch Our Video Request Info Take a Tour Try Camp - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2691](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem2691/) - Staff Click here Summer Camp Jobs Philosophy Why Work at Camp High Rocks Quick Facts Staff Positions Summer Dates Apply Staff Zone Login - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem63](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem63/) - Staff Click here Summer Camp Jobs Philosophy Why Work at Camp High Rocks, Quick Facts Staff Positions Summer Dates Apply Staff Zone Login - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem62](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem62/) - Current Families Click here Preparing for Camp Preparing Your Camper and Yourself Camp Forms What to Bring - Packing List & Laundry Camp Store Trunks Homesickness Meals at Camp Coming to Camp Opening & Closing Day Nearby Accommodations Baggage & Trunk Shipping Local Girls Camps Policies Communication - Mail, Email, Phone & Packages Blog & - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem17](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem17/) - Future Families Click here Why Camp High Rocks What We Believe Our Program Daily Schedule & Bunk Life Quick Facts Father-Son Weekends Family Camp Camp Leadership Our Facilities FAQs - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1985](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1985/) - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1971](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem1971/) - [dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem61](https://www.highrocks.com/elementskit-content/dynamic-content-megamenu-menuitem61/) - Activities Click here Rock Climbing Horseback Riding Mountain Biking Canoeing Kayaking Hiking Archery Riflery Pottery Ropes Course Ropes Course Sailing Soccer Crafts Fishing Swimming Tennis Basketball Boy Scout Merit Badges ## Templates - [Site Footer](https://www.highrocks.com/?elementskit_template=site-footer) - 1234 High Rocks Road • Brevard, North Carolina 28712 Camp High Rocks Blog Watch Our Video Dates and Rates Apply Online Request Info Contact Us 828.885.2153 Watch Our Video Dates and Rates Apply Online Request Info Contact Us 828.885.2153 Contact Us 828.885.2153 High Rocks is an authorized Special Use Permit Holder by the Pisgah, Nantahala, - [Megamenu](https://www.highrocks.com/?elementskit_template=megamenu) - 828.885.2153 828.885.2153 Contact Us Alumni Blog Store Forms Login X Future Families Future Families Watch the Fun Why Camp High Rocks What We Believe Our Program Travel Schedule - Meet & Greets Daily Schedule & Bunk Life Quick Facts Father-Son Weekends Family Camp Camp Leadership Our Facilities Is Your Child Ready? 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