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Celebrating Third Session 2010

August 11, 2010

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Horse riding summer camp childCamp cabin plaque of girls names

It’s easy to celebrate the session when you look back on all that we’ve done over the last few weeks. It’s celebrating, though, that we do today, our last full day together. Foremost, perhaps, the girls mark their place as a cabin group by designing and painting a plaque for the inside of their cabin, something with all the their names and the date that can be hung in the cabin for girls who come after them to see. The girls spend so much time together as a cabin group, and share so much (at every meal, for example), it makes sense to want to preserve that group feeling. Of course, there’s always the cabin photo, but this is something extra.

Down at the barn, the girls who have been riding celebrate their experience by presenting the “Horse Show” for the rest of the camp. This is a chance for the riders to show off their new skills, ride their favorite horse again, and perform horseback riding drill team routines. Instead of a competition with prizes and ribbons, this is a real show with everyone welcome to demonstrate their horseback riding abilities and to have fun doing it. It really is a cheerful atmosphere, complete with popsicles to help everyone to stay cool as the late morning sun came up over the mountain.

summer camp drama production of Anniesummer camp ice cream treatWe also celebrated the amazing dramatic, vocal and dancing talents of our campers with the presentation of this session’s musical, Annie. After weeks of working on their parts, rehearsing, building scenery and designing costumes, everything came together for an amazing show. We had more than 80 parents attending, and with the entire camp also there, the gym was packed! If you didn’t get to see it, you’ll be able to catch it on this year’s DVD yearbook. No worries.

We’d held off long enough for another “Rockbrook Surprise” everyone loves: Biltmore Train! That’s our special all-you-can-eat ice cream bonanza recalling the Biltmore Dairy’s ice cream truck and its camp visits. Think tubs of ice cream, stacks of cones, and the campers going back for more and more. Certainly a little decadent, but it was also a great way to celebrate everyone’s success with the play and to enjoy some time socializing with the families who came to see the performance.

Perhaps the biggest celebration of the day came at the end when we held our Spirit Fire closing campfire. Since it’s very first summer in 1921 Rockbrook has closed its sessions by gathering everyone around the fire ring on Vesper Rock to reflect upon and appreciate everything we’ve shared over the last few weeks. Through songs, memories, tributes and recognitions, we all celebrate each other and what camp means to us. It was remarkable to see these girls choke back tears as they hug each other and about their love for each other and for Rockbrook. Camp, how it makes them feel and how it helps them grow, is so important to them. It’s humbling to see it in action.

The final day of camp is full of celebrations. Throughout the weeks of camp, these Rockbrook girls accomplish wonderful and amazing things. They learn more than they can say, and grow more than they realize, but most importantly, feel at home at Rockbrook. It’s their camp.

With all of that, it’s easy to celebrate.

Closing campfire girls with candles

Under the Sea

August 10, 2010

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Today was the last full day of regular activities. This sent the girls scurrying around to finish up craft projects, climb the alpine tower one last time, try again to hit the bullseye in archery or riflery. It also meant that chances to “hang out” with friends were also becoming more precious. At the lake, a group of seniors were sunbathing, and another crowd of juniors, for example, were enjoying the view on the hill before lunch. The approaching end of camp puts everyone in a nostalgic mood of sorts, and we all want to make the most of these last couple of days.

Jeff has had the Hi-Ups (10th graders) on their 3-day trip since Sunday. They all went to Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee down in South Carolina for camping, water skiing, hiking and of course swimming. The weather was hot and sunny, and with plenty water all around, we felt like it was a beach vacation. There were lots of thrills as we explored amazing waterfalls and jumped from high rocks into the water.

Climbing girls camps girls camps needlecraft project hi-up girls camps jumps

The big event tonight was something the entire camp has been anticipating all session— the big surprise banquet presented by the CAs (9th graders). They pick a secret theme, plan all of the decorations, food, costumes, music, skits, dances, and do all of the work getting ready for tonight. It’s a huge undertaking! So what was the theme this session? “Under the Sea.” The entire dining hall was transformed into an underwater paradise with fish, blue cellophane overhead, a whale, a submarine, seaweed, and shark mouth at the main door. The CAs were dressed as the movie characters Sebastian, Dory, Nemo, Flounder, Whale, and the counselors were scuba divers. For dinner (not counting all the candy on the table 🙂 ) they served “Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce,” “Crabby Patties & Ocean Algae” and “Sea Foam” (mozzarella sticks, hamburgers, jello). For the campers, this is a magical experience and something they’ll always remember.

Banquet girls summer camps summer camp banquet decorations summer camps banquet girl candy

Meet Jeff and Sarah

July 24, 2010

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Jeff Sarah Reed Carter

Meet Jeff and Sarah Carter, the owners and directors of Rockbrook. They are the dynamic couple that keep camp running so well, and are full of surprising talents and experience. For example, did you know that they are both educators with years of experience teaching elementary, middle, high school and college students? Did you know that they both began working at Rockbrook in the mid-1980s and continued to do so for more than 20 years now? Did you know that they met while working at Rockbrook and got married at camp (in the senior Lodge)? Did you know they are both musicians with Sarah playing fiddle and Jeff guitar? Did you know they are the parents of two girls, Eva and Lily? Well, it’s all true!

And there’s more to know, so hop over and learn more about Sarah, or learn more about Jeff. And then get in touch with them. They’d love to hear from you.

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Camp as Community

July 23, 2010

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Girls Camp Community Togetherness

Spending time at Rockbrook, it becomes clear just how strong the sense of community is for the girls at camp. It’s remarkable really how quickly and easily girls from so many different home towns and different schools can grow so close and care about each other in personal and meaningful ways. After this most recent long session, and probably because these girls have spent 4 weeks together, it was even more apparent that camp is a community in the best sense of the word.

It begins with a group of well-trained, caring adult role models who exhibit the kind of personal character that fosters community. From the directors to the cabin counselors and staff members, we know the importance of compassion, generosity, contribution and patient understanding. Quite naturally, but also intentionally, we set the tone at camp so everyone can feel loved, capable and included. Through encouragement and enthusiasm, the leaders at camp nurture positive relationships.

And the results? Well, the benefits of camp are clear. Kids feel good about themselves (improved self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence), are better communicators (both expressing themselves and listening to others), and are more aware and responsible. Becoming a member of this kind of community is the secret here. It has a powerful, wonderful effect on the girls at Rockbrook. Sure, the activities, special events, the food, and the sheer fun of it all go into it, but a girl knowing wholeheartedly she is a member of the camp community, knowing Rockbrook is “my camp,” helps explain why she loves it so much.  Pretty cool.

A Square Dance Saturday Night

July 3, 2010

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One of Rockbrook’s original camp songs, in fact our official “Camp Song,” begins with the line, “In the heart of a wooded mountain, circled by silvery streams.” It so nicely conveys the character of camp, Rockbrook’s woodsy feel, being tucked in a hillside valley between two rock mountains and waterfalls. Every session for generations, girls have sung this song. So much so, “In the heart of a wooded mountain” has become a shorthand phrase to refer to camp. Here’s the rest of the first verse.

In the heart of a wooded mountain,Circled by silvery streams,Is a dear old place calledRockbrook,The scene of our girlhood dreams.The rosy mist of the morning,Veil it anew at dawn,Like a fairyland of beauty,Where friendships so true are born.

 Camp girls weaving on hand loom

Today the girls woke up to a big breakfast of eggs, grits, sausage and OJ, along with the usual fruit, cereal and yogurt options. It’s been a little cooler than usual these past few days, so it’s nice to start the day with a good warm breakfast. After a few energetic songs in each line’s Lodge, our “Morning Assembly,” everyone launched into their morning activities. Down in Curosty, Kimberly has been teaching the girls how to weave on flat looms, a simple traditional hand weaving technique. With so many colors of yarn and strips of cloth, there are really cool things being made… hand-woven fabrics soon to become place mats, or sewn into pouches or bags. We’ve also seen really complex friendship bracelets being made in Curosty. That place is buzzin’!

The rest of the day was filled with more regular camp activities… painting and drawing, practicing for the play, riding horses, learning to kayak, learning to do a flip in gymnastics, or to throw a clay pot on the wheel. There’s also a nice amount of free time for the girls to just hang out, play in the creek, or head down to the lake for a swim or for some sunbathing.

The big surprise for the day, though, was our dance with Camp High Rocks, the boys camp just up the mountain from Rockbrook. We announced the dance right before dinner, giving the girls only about a hour (!) to get “ready.” After dinner (baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, and a shortbread with fruit for dessert), with hair brushed and dressed in clean clothes, we loaded up the buses and drove the whole camp up to High Rocks.

Girls camp square dance Girls at summer camp square dance Child enjoying a square dance with neighboring camp

The dance was held outside on three tennis courts. This allowed us to spread out and divide everyone into three general age groups for the dancing. It took a while for a few jitters to subside, but soon just about everyone was smiling and having fun. Of course, part of the fun is making mistakes and laughing when you turn the wrong way or grab the wrong arm. The whole event is lighthearted, a little silly, and surprisingly enjoyable for the girls, even though most of them have never tried square dancing before. The counselors are right in their too, so this also encourages everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. We all took a short break for lemonade and cookies, only to recharge and dance for another hour or so. As it began to get dark, we said goodbye and thank you, gathered all the girls back into the buses, and made our way back to RBC for the night. It was a wonderful evening.

Welcome Campers!

June 27, 2010

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Girls Moving Trunks into Summer Camp

Welcome everyone to the start of the Second session and July Mini 1 session of Rockbrook! We’re very excited to have you join us in the “heart of a wooded mountain” for a few weeks this summer, whether like most of you, you are returning to RBC, or are new to camp this year. There are so many fun activities and events planned, excellent staff members and new friends to meet, and special trips available, there will definitely be a lot to experience. We’ll try to report highlights of all this action here on our blog, so subscribing to the RSS Feed is a great way to keep up with things at camp.

Opening day for campers is always a mix of excitement and nervousness. When the girls drive up into camp with their parents, meet a small group of Hi-Ups and then Sarah and Mandy, they can finally meet their counselor and some of the other campers who have already arrived. Camp is friendly the moment you arrive, with everyone helping to move trunks and staff members eager to answer questions. Add to that the unique organic smell of the forest and the cool, foggy morning and arriving at camp feels kind of magical. It doesn’t take long for girls to be dashing off to explore the stream, play tetherball or make a quick friendship bracelet.

Camp Girls clapping while watching a skitSoon it’s time for lunch— today, make-your-own sandwiches, homemade potato salad, our regular super-stocked salad bar, and mixed berries— and after lunch, tours of camp and activity skits. Instead of pre-signing up for daily activities, or assigning activities according to cabin groups, at Rockbrook each girl designs her own schedule after learning about the options from skits performed by the staff members. Most of these skits include some kind of song and occasionally a dance number, but they are a great way to introduce what each activity is all about, to see which counselors are teaching which activity, and to stir up enthusiasm for the activities campers will have a chance to try. With more than 25 different activities, these skits can sometimes take a while (!), but they are a great way to kick off a camp sessions and the activity sign up process.

Kids dressed up at Girls CampAt dinner the Junior Line campers (who are girls having finished the first through the fourth grade) and their counselors decided spontaneously to dress up in all kinds of crazy costumes, not for any particular reason of occasion, but just because its fun. The costumes weren’t ordinary “princess” sorts of things or anything else easily recognizable, but instead highly eclectic, colorful combinations of hats, dresses, glasses, and wigs. It was very funny to look around the dining hall at dinner and see a chicken, Raggedy Ann, and so many wacky hair styles. I bet it was a little difficult to even eat! Be sure to check the photo gallery to see more of these great costumes.

Camp Life and Soulcraft

June 24, 2010

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Making ceramics by hand at summer camp

I just finished reading Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew B. Crawford, and it struck me that he would probably be a big fan of camp. The book is an argument for working with your hands, for engaging the material world as opposed to the more abstract constructions of modern life (think TV, all forms of digital entertainment, even the work of most “white collar” jobs). The ordinary lives of most Americans, including our kids, are too often divorced from the joys of working with real things and with real people, and as a result our relationships suffer and we find ourselves dissatisfied. Crawford suggests working with our hands, enhancing our “manual competence,” can serve as an effective antidote to this modern affliction.

You’ve probably heard of “Nature Deficit Disorder,” a concept fashioned by Richard Louv describing the negative consequences of children spending too little time in the outdoors. Here we have a similar notion linking negative effects to living a life abstracted from the sensuous, physical nature of the real world. And just as it’s a response to Nature Deficit Disorder, summer camp provides children a wide range of opportunities to work with their hands, to make things and explore the real world (including the people around them!). Every day of life at camp challenges kids to do things with their hands, to actively engage the material world, whether it be building a clay mug, learning a flip off the diving board, or dressing up like an old lady to play bingo with your friends and laughing your head off.

Crawford doesn’t talk much in his book about children, and not at all about summer camp, but if you know anything about camp life, you can easily see how it also serves children well in their development of “manual competence.” Kids love camp, and they’ll tell you that it’s because it’s simply “a lot of fun,” but maybe a large part of that can also be traced to their need to connect to the physical world. After all, camp is exactly that.

Counting Down to Camp

May 24, 2010

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Camps Summer Girls

Have you noticed the camp countdown lately? It’s clicking right along and is now showing only 12 days left until the first session of camp opens for the summer. Only 12 days! That’s very exciting because it means at last the staff and cabin counselors will be arriving, and everything at camp will be set for another great summer at Rockbrook. We look forward to this all year long, so it’s great to have it just around the corner.

Better start packing! There are only 12 more days!!! 🙂