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In Remembrance: Sue Baierbach Alley

March 2, 2011

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Rockbrook Alumna Sue Alley

Our good friend and Rockbrook Alumna Phyllis Shaw sent us word of the passing of former Rockbrook counselor Sue Alley.  Sue and Phyllis were counselors together in the early 60’s.

Phyllis says: “Sue and I kept up closely, bound by that Rockbrook connection.  Despite her numerous health issues over the years, she maintained a positive outlook and spoke of her health problems with wry humor.  I last saw her two years ago when I got a last-minute weekend fare and flew out to surprise her for her birthday–a real Rockbrook SURprise, for sure!”.

We were saddened to hear of Sue’s passing, but are so thankful to have such a wonderful group of Alumnae that create our huge Rockbrook family.  Her obituary can be read below.

Sue B. Alley (February 17, 1940 – February 24, 2011)

Sue B. Alley, age 71, a resident of West Chicago, died February 24, 2011, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She was raised in Elmhurst, the daughter of Edward and Bess Baierbach.
She graduated from York High School where she was active with women’s sports and GAA. She received a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from IL State University. She was a camp counselor at Rock Brook in North Carolina and Lake Geneva Youth Camp. On October 17, 1964 she married Scott Alley. She was a member of College Church in Wheaton and Lombard Gospel Chapel.
She was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame as a super fan. She enjoyed watching Wheaton Academy Sports and following her “grandchildren” Andrea, Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin.
She is survived by her husband, Scott, two daughters, Jenny (Tony) Dudasik of LaGrange Park, and Carol (William) Melton of Mulberry, AR, and one sister, Jean (Ben) Hinckle of Dongola, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A visitation will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Lombard Gospel Chapel, Stewart and Pleasant St. in Lombard.
Memorial gifts may be directed to An Open Door Adoption Agency, Melton Fund, P.O. Box 4 218 E. Jackson Street, Thomasville, Georgia 31799 (opendoor@rose.net)
Information and guest book is available at hultgrenfh.com or call 630-668-0027.

Horseback Riding History at Camp

February 21, 2011

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Since the founding of Rockbrook in 1921, Horseback Riding has been a perennial favorite  for many of our campers.  Our program is based on the forward seat style of riding and we have always had horses and instructors to work with all skill levels.  In a Rockbrook catalog from 1926 the Horseback Riding program is a featured activity.  Here is an excerpt:

“A string of well broken horses affords every girl an opportunity to enjoy this wholesome sport.  In an enclosed field each camper is instructed by experts in the arts of horsemanship.  She is taught how to bridle, saddle and mount a horse; how to care for it on trip; how to feed and groom her mount as well as how to ride gracefully and securely.”

Here is another featured comment of the 1926 catalog:

“The horse show of Event Week attracts spectators from the neighboring country and cities and Rockbrook has been referred to as “The Camp where the girls are taught to ride so well.”

The horse show at Rockbrook occurs at the end of each session.
Riding the jump course at the Rockbrook Horse Show, 1971
Campers each receive a ribbon during the Rockbrook horse show
Rockbrook Horse Show, 1971

So as you can see from the 1920’s or 1970’s up to today, our riding program continues to offer girls a wonderful place to learn the skills and joys of horseback riding.  If you have any great horseback riding stories from your time at camp we would love to hear from you.  We would love to know more about some of the overnight trail rides and any of your favorite horses.  Some of the horses we often hear stories about are Sambo, Peaches, April, Be Good and Druid.  Please help us add to our horseback riding archive!

Visit our website to learn more about our current horseback riding program.

Rockbrook Reunion 2011

February 14, 2011

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Calling all Rockbrook Alumnae… Mark your calendar and SAVE THE DATE for our upcoming Alumnae Reunion!

Rockbrook Summer Camp Alumnae Reunion 2009
Rockbrook Alumnae Reunion 2009

Join us for the weekend of August 26-August 28, 2011 for a fabulous weekend filled with friends, activities, singing and stories.  Registration materials and a reunion schedule will be posted soon on our website! In the meantime, spread the word and save the date!

Canoeing at Camp

February 7, 2011

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Canoe Camp for Girls

Rockbrook has a long tradition of canoeing at camp. From the earliest days, Rockbrook girls could learn how to canoe in the camp lake, and later take canoeing trips on the local rivers. For example, read this account of a camp canoeing trip. Even on whitewater rivers, Rockbrook campers were some of the first girls to brave the local rapids in a canoe.

Here is an old photograph from our archives showing a girl solo canoeing by the waterfall in the Rockbrook lake. We’re not sure what year it was taken or who the camper is in the photo, so if you know, please share it with us!

We love canoeing!

P.S. Here’s another example of canoeing from 1925!

Rockbrook Party in Charlottesville, VA

January 26, 2011

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Rockbrook Camp Alumnae gather in Charlottesville
Sarah, McKenzie, Mercer and Mandy enjoy a visit in VA

During the fall and winter we travel around the country sharing Rockbrook with potential campers, current campers and their families.  We always love it when Rockbrook Alumnae are able to join us at the parties and share their camp memories and stories.

Just a few weeks ago we had a great show in Charlottesville, VA and were thrilled to be joined by McKenzie Harper Inigo and Mercer Reeves.  McKenzie and Mercer were both campers and counselors for many years.  Mandy and Sarah enjoyed getting to catch up with both of them! Those Rockbrook friendships sure are special no matter how many years it has been since you were at camp together!

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

January 18, 2011

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The Biltmore Train arrives at Rockbrook Camp
The Biltmore Train, Summer 1968

One of our favorite and long standing Rockbrook traditions is the special treat known as “The Biltmore Train.”  It is an all you can eat ice cream extravaganza that has been happening at Rockbrook for many years.  It is a Rockbrook  “Surprise” and is announced with a special “choo choo” train song and skit.  When the tradition started the actual Bitmore Dairy Truck would drive up to camp and serve the ice cream (as seen in the photo above).  The Biltmore Dairy is no longer in business but we sure still enjoy it’s namesake activity.  “Biltmore, Biltmore” can often be heard being chanted around camp as the campers hope for the surprise ice cream day to arrive.

Snow Day!

January 10, 2011

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Snow Day at Rockbrook Camp, Brevard NC

Greetings from a snowy Brevard, NC!  Like most of the southern states, Brevard was blanketed in snow last night, creating a fun day for all of the kids that are out of school.  Between sledding, snowmen and hot chocolate there are lots of “cool”activities going on around town.  We hope to make it out to camp tomorrow to get some snow photos to share.  When we were out at camp  yesterday we saw that Stick Biscuit Falls was frozen solid. Brrrrr….

How much snow did you get?