Owner: Rockbrook Summer Camp for Girls Blog URL:http://www.rockbrookcamp.com/blog/ Join Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:14:59 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: News and information about Rockbrook Girls Summer Camp, a traditional overnight sleepaway camp in North Carolina. Site statistics:Click here
Camp Archery Program 2007-08-16 21:21:48
Archery is another huge hit with the kids at Rockbrook this summer. Girls really enjoy learning about archery at summer camp. There’s something classic about it. Nocking an arrow, pulling the bow, taking a breath, holding still, and releasing the arrow toward the multi-colored target. Of course, we’re aiming for the center of the target, and when we hit it, we get a certificate proving we’re in the “Bullseye Club.” No matter how old you are, it’s not easy at first, but with practice it doesn’t take long to improve and hit the target more and more perfectly. Hey, there’s Griffin!
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Rock Climbing Summer Camp Trip 2007-08-15 20:33:50
After breakfast we hike up the hill in camp to reach Castle Rock. Locking carabiners, harnesses, helmets, rock climbing shoes, and ropes… everything in place for a day on the rock. Put on the gear and tie into the rope with a follow-through figure eight knot. Wait for the belayer to get set and begin the commands. “On belay?” “Belay is on,” she says. “Climbing?” “Climb on,” you hear, and you’re ready to go. A left foot up and you’re off. Lean to the right. A foot switch. A little tricky spot, but you get it. Amazing view at the top. A quick rappel and you’re down. Great job!
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, Summer Camp
, Rock Climbing
Summer Camping Birthday Party 2007-08-14 21:23:38
Tonight was birthday night at camp, but a few girls were heading out for an overnight backpacking trip and would have to miss the celebration back at camp. Rather than go without, however, Jessi made arrangements to bring a few party things with the hiking group. Yep, they had their own birthday party out in the woods, complete with balloons, streamers, and an awesome cake! It was a lot of fun, and a big surprise for everyone.
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, Camping
, Birthday
, Party
, Birthday Party
1-Week Summer Camp Session Opens! 2007-08-13 15:07:15
Our final camp session of the summer has opened and we’re very excited to have all of the campers arrive. This session is unusual because we’ve got mostly new campers and it lasts for just one week. Everyone is so enthusiastic, it’s going to be great fun to introduce Rockbrook to these girls, and with everything we’ve got planned, it’s no doubt going to be a great session.
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Day Of Celebration 2007-08-09 20:12:58
This morning Rockbrook hosted its very own horse show, and many of the campers participated in the event. Parents were also invited and were able to watch their kids in the show. The show was optional, and some of the campers did some last minute packing instead. The other kids went to their scheduled first and second activity periods. Later in the afternoon the campers went to the gym to see the production of The Wizard of Oz.
For dinner tonight we had a traditional Spirit Fire dinner. The campers and counselors dress up in their uniforms and were recognized for how many years they had been at Rockbrook.Various gifts are given out to designate how many years at Rockbrook they have attended. Spirit Fire was then held a little after dinner. We sang special campfire songs and campers and counselors spoke around the fire. What makes Spirit Fire special is that it is done in such a way as if it were to take place in 1921, when the camp was founded. Each camper is given a candle and is lit
Collect $200 Salary As You Pass GO! 2007-08-08 07:34:08 Today was cabin day and the Senior line took an excursion to Sliding Rock. The temperature peaked at around 98 degrees, so it was a refreshing change for the girls. Sliding Rock is basically a large rock which mimics a gigantic water slide. It is located in the Pisgah Forest, and is just a little ways outside of Brevard. The girls went down a handful of times, and then were taken to the infamous Dolly’s for some ice cream. We were quick to get back to camp, for banquet was about to begin!
There was much anticipation in the air, for the kids were eagerly waiting outside of the dining hall to be called in for banquet. The CAs (counselor assistants) for this banquet were quite prepared, and hosted one smashing banquet! The theme was Monopoly, and the dining hall was set up in as if it were the board game. The posters were painted in various places on the board such as: Go To Jail, Chance, Community Chest, North Carolina Avenue, etc. The 4 of the 5 CAs were dressed up as pieces for Read more:Collect
, Salary
Good News On The Home Front 2007-08-07 22:49:34
Rockbrook has been anticipating the health inspector, and she finally came today! We are happy to report that we earned a 98.5%! We have been keeping the camp extra clean, and all our hard work has paid off.
On another subject, today in pottery one of the classes went on a pottery hike. We took a break from making things from clay, and discovered all the places around camp where pottery had been placed. In front of upper pottery there are 3 boards with pottery collages glued on them from various camp years. We then ventured off to the front of the offices and saw the pottery mobiles. The kids make small ornaments such as smiley faces, hearts and stars to go on the mobiles. Down at lower pottery we then took the kids to see the totem poles, these are the oldest camp pieces that have been made. On the front of lower pottery there is a huge mosaic-like collage that was done in ‘92 by the campers. One of the kids also noticed that one her counselors names was on the collage, she is Read more:Front
, Good News
Tournaments and Sock Hops 2007-08-06 19:15:47
This Monday morning at Rockbrook started with a bang, literally! Three groups of girls were taken to Camp Carolina for Boys to compete in various activities such as riflery, archery, and tennis. The girls were triumphant in riflery, but unfortunately did not beat the boys in archery or tennis. After the tournaments the girls enjoyed a refreshing dip in the Camp Carolina lake. Two of my campers Courtney and Sami participated in the tennis tournament and thoroughly enjoyed their time today. Another one of my campers Cecile participated in the Archery tournament, and had the same sentiments. The sport tournaments are an oppurtunity for a few campers to show their skills against their rival: CCB.
Around lunch time Sarah and Mandy announced a Rockbrook surprise: 50s restaurant night! The dining hall was decorated in various themed posters, such as a jukebox and records. The kids were given a menu to choose their meals from, just like a real restaurant! The counselors played waitress, and t Read more:Tournaments
Camp Cabin Photos Taken 2007-08-03 21:08:32
Today we took our cabin photos for this third session of camp. Each cabin decides where they would like their photo taken, for example at the lake, on a lodge porch, or on the hill. Some are pretty creative, like this outtake of a cabin who took theirs at the senior line showers.
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, Taken
Super Hero Day!!! 2007-08-01 21:27:46
It was super hero day today at Rockbrook. We all came up with our own versions of super-heroism and dressed the part! Talk about creativity… it was amazing. There were lots of “Super
Girls” and other “Incredibles,” but here’s a great shot of Whitney as “Feather Girl.” Her arch nemisis was another Hi-Up (Becky) dressed as “Backpack Girl.” You never know what Rockbrook campers will come up with, especially when we have a chance to dress up!
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Camp Rafting 2007-07-30 20:56:43
This week we had a marathon whitewater rafting event. Over three days, we took almost a hundred campers whitewater rafting down the Nantahala river. Rockbrook is one of only two summer camps that have a Forest Service permit to raft this river, so we are able to take full advantage of it using our own equipment and raft guides. We also have an outpost near the river where we can spend the night after (or sometimes before) rafting. What a great time we all had— excellent weather the whole time, plenty of whitewater excitement, and lots of fun with the other middlers and seniors.
That’s Valerie, one of our former Castle Rock Institute students, guiding the boat. Val now teaches at the Portland Waldorf School.
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Painting and Drawing Camp Activity 2007-07-27 22:12:53
Here’s an activity that’s become increasingly popular this summer— painting and drawing. It’s a wonderful time when we get together, often outside (like in this photo), and learn different techniques to improve how we paint and draw. Perspective, compostion, color theory, and shading are just a few of the important concepts we’ve covered. There are some amazing subjects to draw and paint at camp too… things like the mountain view from the hill, the blooming rhododendron bushes, or even something more abstract. It’s a lot of fun, no matter what!
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, Activity
Third Session of Camp Opens! 2007-07-25 22:20:31
Today the campers attending our third session arrived. We greeted everyone this morning (even after picking up a few at the airport), settled into the cabins, and got together in the dining hall for our first lunch. It was so great to see everyone, old and new campers alike, finally at camp. So many great activities and events planned… it’s going to be great!
RBC and the Brevard Music Center 2007-07-23 20:41:37
Here’s a cool bit of Rockbrook Camp history for you. Nancy Barnum Clark Carrier, the founder of Rockbrook (and who by the way is the grandaughter of P.T. Barnum), is also one of the founders of the Brevard MusicCenter
. The Music Center is a summer camp in Brevard for teenage musicians who come to collaborate with professional musicians, practice, perform, and just enjoy the wonderful mountain setting of Brevard. It was originally founded in 1936 at Davidson College and later moved to Brevard in 1945, only a few years after Rockbrook was established in 1921. Mrs. Carrier was also the Music Center’s first president and a director of its board until her death in 1977. Here she is in this great old photo.
It’s Finally Here! 2007-07-20 04:35:55 Finally
, the moment everyone has been waiting for was here…and then gone. Banquet was successful! The theme of the night was “Pixar”, which consists of a combination of four movies: “Finding Nemo”, “The Incredibles”, “A Bug’s Life”, and “Monsters, Inc.” The setup for the big night went very smoothly, and by 6:00, the CA’s were dancing around the dining hall in their various costumes waiting for the party to start. The only hang up was a mad dash for soda late in the day; apparently, “it’s not banquet without soda.” It’s a great feeling to see all of the campers’ hard work come together so successfully, and I can’t say enough how proud I was – the CA girls outdid themselves, to say the least. As a reward and camp tradition, Jerry took all of the CA girls out to Casey Jones after the banquet was over. All of the girls couldn’t stop talking about how fast it went by, how they couldn’t believe it was actually over, and how truly excited
Countdown To Banquet: Less Than A Day!!! 2007-07-19 11:34:01
This is usually the most stressful time of the summer for my 15-year-old campers, because as banquet planners a day before the big night, there are usually a million more things to do and a million more reasons to stay up 24 hours straight. Thankfully, we were given a break from all of the intense preparation today. Around 11:00 AM, Jerry approached the CA’s with an idea for a hike, and shortly after, we all loaded on to the buses and headed into Pisgah National Forest. After a vigorous drive over narrow, winding dirt roads, we stopped at a pull-off and commenced our hike. Once we made it to a clearing that had a perfect view of Looking Glass, we had a long talk about what the girls were going through, how they were handling CA responsibilities, and we were able to spend some quality time together and relax away from camp. Furthermore, not only did we go for a hike, but we stopped at a swimming hole on the way out of the forest. The drive home was quiet, but I haven’t heard the e Read more:Countdown
, Banquet
Summer Camp Music Video 2007-09-20 08:09:21 Here’s something fun. We put together a short music video of scenes from this past summer. We hope you like it. It gives you just a taste of what went on!
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, Music
, Summer Camp
Kids Summer Crafts 2007-09-18 08:59:04
Giving kids a chance to explore crafts, to learn new ways of being creative, is a big part of summer camp. Rockbrook has almost 20 different craft activities for example. Each lets the girls express themselves creatively and make something cool. There’s plenty of time (It’s summer after all!), all the right materials, someone to show you how to get started, and plenty of friends to hang out with while working. It’s the kind of experience that’s hard to duplicate anywhere else, and it’s completely fun!
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, Crafts
Teen Summer Camps 2007-09-14 14:38:13
Another activity that was particularly popular this summer with our older, teen campers was whitewater kayaking. It’s just a lot of fun to learn how to maneuver those play boats. You put on all your gear… spray top, PFD, helmet, grab your equipment… paddle, spray skirt, and boat, and you’re ready for some great adventure. Teen summer camps like Rockbrook offer these more technical activities and out-of-camp trips, and as campers return to camp year after year, they can really develop amazing outdoor skills.
This is a photo from a trip at the Lower Green River.
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Dolly’s Ice Cream - A summer camp tradition 2007-09-12 09:52:30
Couldn’t resist sending along this article about our favorite local ice cream shop, Dolly
’s Dairy Bar. It’s from the online edition of the Hendersonville newspaper, The Times-News. If you’ve been to Dolly’s, you’ll love the article and enjoy hearing some of the trivia it reports. For example, did you know that Dolly’s has a total of 54 different flavors, including the 22 “summer camp flavors, ” and did you know that the Rockbrook flavor, Rockbrook Chocolate Illusion, is one of the top 5 flavors? Our campers just love the place.
If you’re ever in the Brevard area, you should check it out!
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Horseback Riding in NC 2007-09-10 08:56:19
Here in the mountains of western North Carolina we have cooler summer weather than most places in the south. This past summer, when most places were immersed in extraordinaryily hot weather, we had more pleasant temperatures. This is one of the reasons it’s so great for the St. Andrews College horses to spend the summer with us at Rockbrook… it gives them (like us) a break from the heat! Everyone likes it when we do a lot of horseback riding at RBC.
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, Riding
Childrens Outdoor Experience 2007-09-07 09:00:11
Another article has come our way (thanks Bird!) about the value of outdoor experience for kids. It’s “Time Outdoors Gives Kids a Big Boost” by Tom Stienstra of the San Francisco Chronicle. The article is about an initiative in California to recognize a “Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights,” a document declaring that every child should have certain opportunities connected to the outdoor world. It lists ten things every child should do:
1. Discover California’s past.
2. Splash in water.
3. Play in a safe place.
4. Camp under the stars.
5. Explore nature.
6. Learn to swim.
7. Play on a team.
8. Follow a trail.
9. Catch a fish.
10. Celebrate his or her heritage.
And quotes Gov. Schwarzenegger.
“Parents could start by applying the lessons to themselves and sharing the outdoor experiences with their children… I believe that learning outdoor skills should be a required class.”
The connections here to summer camp, of course, are Read more:Childrens
The Lessons of Sleepaway Camp 2007-09-04 09:22:07
Here is another article highlighting the benefits of attending a sleepaway summer camp like Rockbrook: “Summer Camps Offer Youngsters Fun, Friendships, and Life Lessons
,” by Adam Phillips of The Voice of America News. It spends a good deal of time talking about the social aspects of being at sleepaway camp, the kind of friendships formed, the importance of compromise when joining a close-knit community. There are lots of good quotes from kids, giving an “on the gound” perspective of camp life. After reading it, it makes Rockbrook’s philosophy on camp seem right on.
Camps in the South 2007-09-28 08:58:44
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been making our fall travel plans, scheduling Rockbrook Camp parties all over the south. Several are set on the calendar. Chances are we’re coming to your city or some place close by, so check out the schedule here: Camp Party Schedule. If you haven’t come to one of these parties before, they’re great fun. We watch a movie and see some slides from last summer, see each other again and meet loads of new people interested in camp for next summer. We’ll be going to more places in the winter also, so stay tuned!
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Kids Camp in NC 2007-09-27 10:13:46
Rockbrook is a kids camp in NC, that’s for sure, but we have so many kids that come to camp from other states far and wide. Of course, most are in the south— South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida —but campers come from the midwest (e.g. Ohio!) and the northeast as well. Most campers drive to camp with their parents, so being within a day’s drive is the norm. Still, plenty of kids end up flying to camp when they live too far away to drive (like in California!). North Carolina is just a great location for camp, even if (and especially if!) you don’t live here.
Summer Camp History 2007-10-02 09:47:37
Here is a glimpse into Rockbrook Summer
Camp history. A family here is Brevard, the Tuckers, who are related to the Carriers, who founded Rockbrook back in 1921, found a stack of old camp photos and passed them along to us. Some certainly show their age, but there are so many fascinating shots of what camp was like in the past. This is a good example showing the original uniforms the girls wore. Amazing!
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, Summer Camp
Kids Summer Activities - Climbing! 2007-10-15 12:44:33
Following our recent posts on Castle Rock and Dunn’s Rock, the two big granite outcroppings on the Rockbrook kids camp property, we can’t neglect to talk about rock climbing because we have such great opportunities to climb right here at camp. There’s so much rock so accessible from camp, it’s easy to get excited about rock climbing as a summer activity. The girls have loads of opportunities to climb and several routes to challenge their skills. The two favorite routes…? WHIM and WHAM. Fun routes, each about 80 feet high. Stay tuned; we’ve got plans to develop two or three new routes up on Castle Rock. We’ll keep you posted.
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The New Queen - Chase! 2007-10-12 14:33:35
Look who was crowned the Brevard High School Homecoming Queen
last Friday Night. Yep, it’s Chase! It’s no surprise to us, because we all know she’s the queen of fun at Rockbrook. Way to go Chase!
Youth Equestrian Camps 2007-10-10 10:35:55
Here’s something fun. Over at GirlsHorseClub.com, they are starting a poll for everyone interested in horses, horseback riding and anything equestrian-related. It’s a series of questions that give you a chance to imagine. For example, how would you remake a famous equestrain movie so you could play a part? If you could ask a horse a question and hear the answer, what would you ask and which horse would you choose? If you could travel back in time and meet a famous horse, which one would it be? Hmmm…. Interesting questions to ponder, so head on over and share your thoughts.
Movie? Probably Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. Of the Rockbrook horses from our youth equestrian camp, we’d have to ask Danny what he thinks about his new digs! Historic Horse? How about Isham, Buffalo Bill Cody’s horse.
Outdoor Youth Camps 2007-10-08 09:42:05
Here’s a view of the other large prominent rock on the Rockbrook Camp property: Dunn’s Rock. This is looking across one of the riding rings back toward the main part of camp and up the hill to the rock. More so than Castle Rock, Dunn’s is famous. In fact, it is the site of an early settlement that pre-dates the incorporation of Brevard, and it served as a sheltered place (under an overhanging part) where men returning from the civil war met and formed a Masonic Lodge. It’s neat to think how before it was an outdoor youth camp, Rockbrook hosted some of the earliest settlers in this part of North Carolina.
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