Nancy Carrier and Peggy the Great Dane

Mrs. Carrier and Peggy on The Rockbrook House lawn

Many campers and staff from the early days of Rockbrook often mention Mrs. Carrier’s dog and sidekick, Peggy.  We were thrilled to find a photograph of Mrs. Carrier and Peggy together so we could “meet” the girls favorite mascot during those early years.  Here is a great excerpt about Peggy, written by a former camper:

“All the campers knew and loved the Great Dane, “Peggy”, who followed Mrs. Carrier wherever she went.  She seemed in her canine way to be part director, for she watched the girls as though responsible for their safety.  She was a harlequin, the bright patches of white over-lapping the black spots, and though her bark was frightening, she had the gentlest of natures.  Seeing her bounce up the hill at the side of Senior Lodge, one knew that Mrs. Carrier could not be far behind and that as long as her mistress stayed in the camp area Peggy would be nearby.”

If you have any Peggy stories you would like to share we would love to hear from you!

Register now for the Rockbrook Reunion

Legacy group, Reunion 2009

Calling all Rockbrook Alumnae… It’s time for Rockbrook’s 90th Anniversary Reunion! Join us the weekend of August 26-28, 2011 for a celebration of 90 summers.  Dust off those camp uniforms and start planning to return to the land of your girlhood dreams for a fabulous weekend.

Online registration materials are now available at the Alumnae Reunion section of our website.  Register now as spaces are limited.

Horseback Riding History at Camp

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.”

Riding the jump course at the Rockbrook Horse Show, 1971

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 Party in Charlottesville, VA

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!

Nancy Carrier’s Impact on Brevard

From The Transylvania Times

While going through our archives recently we came across this fascinating article about Nancy Carrier, published in The Transylvania Times in 1989.  It was printed in honor of what would have been her 100th birthday. It is a wonderful addition to our archives, and is a testament to the legacy of Nancy Carrier. Besides being the founder of Rockbrook Camp, she also was one of the founders of Brevard Music Camp, now Brevard Music Center.  She also was a chairman of the first hospital auxiliary in Brevard and helped found Lyday Memorial Hospital, the first public Hospital in Transylvania County.

We also loved learning more about the early days of Rockbrook.  Did you know that through Mrs. Carrier,  the local Red Cross met at Rockbrook and made bandages for the war effort.   Or that sewing circles were held at Rockbrook to make useful items for soldiers during World War II?

Nancy Carrier passed away in 1977 and is buried right down the street from Rockbrook in St.Paul’s-in-the-Valley Cemetery.    We hope to locate more information on Mrs. Carrier and will share it with you as we uncover more about our remarkable founder.

Nancy Carrier, P.T. Barnum and The New York Times 1888

While doing some research for the Rockbrook archives we came across this fascinating article printed in The New York Times in 1888.  It is another written source that connects Rockbrook, Goodwill Cabin, Goodwill Plantation, Nancy Carrier and P.T. Barnum.  What an interesting history!

The New York Times, October 24, 1888

Barnum’s Gift To A Granddaughter.

From the Columbia (S.C.) Register. October 18

It is evident that the renowned P.T. Barnum has a good opinion of South Carolina real estate, for he has recently given to his granddaughter, the wife of Henry P. Clarke, $100,000 for the purpose of buying and equipping the noted “Goodwill” plantation, which was formerly owned by the late Judge Edward Elliot Huger.  The transfer of the property took place yesterday.  Mr. Clarke owns another plantation near Eastover, where they have resided for several years.  “Goodwill” is one of the finest estates in the South, containing upward of 7000 acres, including a magnificent water power.  Several hundred acres of the richest river bottoms are protected from overflow by a levee extending for five miles along the banks of the Wateree River.  The other improvements on the property are  upon the same scale.

Right around the time that Nancy Barnum Clarke and Henry Clarke received their gift from P.T. Barnum they also purchased 300 acres in Brevard that would later become Rockbrook Camp. Their daughter Nancy Clarke Carrier grew up spending time between Brevard and Goodwill Plantation.  She founded Rockbrook in 1921 and brought two buildings from Goodwill Plantation to the camp property.  Goodwill and Curosty are central to the heart of camp and are still in use today.  What an amazing gift from P.T. Barnum!

Summer Camp Book Series

Have you had a chance to read the summer camp book series Summer Camp Secrets by Rockbrook alumna, Katy Arbuckle Grant?  They are loosely based on her time spent at Rockbrook and are a wonderful read!  Those of us who have spent time in the heart of a wooded mountain will feel right at home in Katy’s books.

The latest in the series is called Summer Camp Secrets- Fearless. The story centers around the horseback riding program at Camp Pine Haven.  The main character Jordan is eager to learn to jump on a horse and try lots of other new things.  That is one of the things we feel that make camp so special!

Katy’s books can be found online on her website at www.katygrant.com

Thanks for sharing such wonderful camp stories Katy!

Rockbrook Alumnae Group on Facebook

If you have not already done so please take a moment to join our Rockbrook Camp Alumnae Group on Facebook.  It is a great place to reconnect with old friends and to keep in touch with the happenings at camp.   We hope to see you there!