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The Good, the Food and the Fun

June 17, 2011

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Camp girls jumping in the lakeIt’s such a great treat to spend time at camp and see so many girls enjoying the outdoors. Just about every moment around here, we’re swimming in the chilly lake, lounging in the sun on one of the huge rocks, exploring critters in the creek, and enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities— the adventure, the horseback riding, the sports! Even at night in our traditional open, screened cabins, Rockbrook girls are close to nature. This is so important too. As the National Wildlife Federation, and others, are reporting, kids today are spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago (during the 90s). You’ve probably heard about the negative consequences of this “nature deficit” for children. Camp, of course, is a wonderful antidote for this. All this time outside opens our senses, encourages caring and compassion, and connects us more intimately with each other. Sure it’s a lot of fun too, but it’s good and lasting too.

Girls rifle shooting at summer campWe’ve really been eating well these last few days as Rick has served up several favorites. Breakfast today was a classic combination— scrambled eggs, homemade fried potatoes, bacon and fresh fruit (a blueberry and blackberry mix). The yogurt and cereal bar had even more fruit available too for those who preferred peaches, apples and bananas. These girls can eat some fruit! Then for lunch we had what is probably everyone’s favorite lunch, grilled cheese and tomato soup. Rick makes the soup by first processing a huge pile of carrots, celery and garlic, cooks and seasons this puree a bit, and then adds vegetable stock and tomatoes. That gets cooked some more and finally blended to just the right consistency. A bowl of this soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, and a salad from the salad bar makes a fabulous lunch! Dinner was a little simpler —baked tilapia, fresh steamed green beans, and white rice— but still yummy. I think the highlight of dinner, though, was the dessert, chocolate pudding. Thanks Rick for keeping us strong!

Camp girl slip-n-slideTonight after dinner we offered an optional activity down on the landsports field— a slip-n-slide and shaving cream fight extravaganza! You unroll a long sheet of plastic down a gentle hill, add a little baby soap and a spray of water, and you’ve got a fun slippery ride. The girls took turns running and flopping down on their stomachs to take the plunge. Campers from every line decided to join in, though I’d say it was most popular with the Juniors. To top off the evening, we then pulled out a couple of cartons of shaving cream to have a good old-fashioned shaving cream fight. The rules here are simple; use up the shaving cream in your can by smearing it on everyone else. This means running around, chasing friends to put a blob on their head, back or legs. As things unfold, some of the girls become completely covered. Creative hair styling is also part of the fun. Check out the photo gallery for more pictures.

Did you know that the photo gallery allows you to easily email photos to friends? It’s a great way to share what’s going on at camp.

Girls shaving cream fight at camp

Kids Going Outside

April 4, 2011

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Kids Going Outside at Summer Camp

There’s a fun article in the March 28th issue of the New Yorker Magazine that lists the “features” of “going outside.” It’s by Ellis Weiner and is entitled “Just in Time for Spring” (here’s a summary) In the tradition of a radio commercial for a new product, the article suggests that “going outside” is an “astounding multipurpose activity platform that will revolutionize the way you spend your time.” Of course the humor here is that going outside is not new at all; though, it has been too often forgotten as we spend more of our day interacting with electronic media and filtering our experience through technology.

So what does going outside promise? Here are a few highlights.

1. real-time experience through a seamless mind-body interface.2. authentic 3-D, real-motion visuals.3. true surround sound.4. complete interactivity with inanimate objects, animals and Nature.5. the opportunity to experience actual weather.

Rockbrook is the kind of outdoor camp where all of this is so easily true. Kids love being outside at camp. They love all the chances to actually do things, to use all their senses, and to experience the wonders of Nature. Of course, we’ve mentioned before just how good this is for kids as well.  If you think about it, it’s good for all of us!