Miss RBC

Today was Miss RBC, our camp-wide talent show and spoof-like pageant. It’s one the few events that campers know about ahead of time, so that they can work together as a group to come up with a funny skit or dance. In true RBC form, there are always lots of crazy costumes and goofy moves. Each cabin has a chance to perform, and then one elected representative from each cabin comes up at the end to answer a Rockbrook question like, “What does a Honosuarius look like?” or “Do you prefer Vesper Rock or Frog Mouth Rock?” Then, a special panel of judges, such as the barn staff, decide which cabin wins!

Hiking, Climbing, Rafting and Yoga!

Almost everyday, various special activities are offered in addition to the regular activities. Several campers climbed up and enjoyed the view from the top of Castle Rock, the big rock looking down from the east side of camp. Then, others stretched, toned, and relaxed in a yoga class, which finished with head massages.

Brevard is known as the “Land of Waterfalls” for a reason! Several campers opted to go waterfall exploring in Dupont State Forest, which boasts over a dozen.

If that wasn’t enough, an overnight rafting trip went out as well. Girls went to our Nantahala Outpost, ate s’mores and enjoyed time by the fire. Then, they’ll raft first thing in the morning!

Chapel and Miss RBC

Sundays are a different kind of day at Rockbrook. It’s also a day that is rich in camp tradition. Everyone slept in an extra hour, and then came to breakfast in their pajamas. In addition to yogurt, bagels, and cereal, there were also donuts! After breakfast, everyone headed back to their cabins to clean and get dressed in their “whities” for flag raising and chapel.

The Hi-Ups, the oldest campers who have special duties, raised the flag and led everyone in the pledge and “Oh, Beautiful.” Then, the CA’s, the girls that have been planning the secret end-of-session banquet, led the way down the Path of Silence to chapel and then stop to guard Cabin 9, where they have all of their Banquet decorations.

Sundays

The chapel theme this week was “sharing.” It was facilitated by the Juniors, who chose the songs, read poems and shared their thoughts on what sharing means to them. Many spoke about “sharing memories.” Another part of chapel is that anyone can bring an item that can be tied to the theme and talk about it. Today, campers brought a friendship bracelet, a crazy creek, a red tie that was passed down from their sister, and a few other things. To finish up, Sarah read “The Giving Tree” by Shel Siverstein and then led a discussion on how it relates to sharing.

After chapel, everyone met for Assembly on the Hill. The broom awards for the cleanest cabins are themed after the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria this year. Each week, Lineheads come up with impressive poems to announce the 3 winners! After the line songs, counselors got campers fired up about their last activity sign-up of the session by performing songs, funny skits, raps, and cheers for their activities.

For lunch we had Chili and cornbread with cheese and fresh guacamole. After lunch, everyone went back to their cabin for rest hour, and to get ready for Miss RBC!

Muppet Remix

Miss RBC is a campy, spoof-ish pageant in which cabins combine their talents in the hopes of winning the title. Cabins often come up with a dance routine, a comedy act, or a funny song. There are lots of costumes, too. Some memorable moments from today’s’ were one campers’ one-legged-crab-like push-ups, an African inspired dance, a Gingerbread Man and Little Mermaid “Fractured Fairytale,” and more. At the end, one representative comes up to the stage to answer wacky questions like, ” What does a Honosarius look like?” “Do you prefer crafting or rafting?’ Then, the CIT’s judged the winner – Penthouse!

The day concluded with Movie Night. The feature was “The Princess and the Frog.” Everyone enjoyed their milk and cookies in the gym and then went to bed.

Making Every Day Count

Think the rain will slow Rockbrook girls down? No way! Instead, we write and sing songs about it; and in the process, hopefully learn that a positive attitude can brighten the gray-est day. RBC is located in a temperate rain-forest. Often mornings are misty, and it’s common for there to be a shower in the afternoon. Occasionally, activities like tennis and archery will be moved inside. Counselors know how to make the most of this time by engaging the girls in group games, riddles, and other outside-the-box activities. Indeed, some girls’ best camp memories are from rainy days – perhaps the sound of the drops on the tin roof, a cabin heart-to-heart talk, splashing in puddles, and other moments that are surprisingly meaningful and fun.

Singing in the rain.....

Here are lyrics from some RBC classics that campers have sang for generations:

“Well the days are so pretty that we never complain – even when it dews, also known as rain!”

” Smile though the skies that are blue turn gray….Smile though it’s rainin’, you’ll forget the naughty fella that has stolen your umbrella!”

“Here we are, here we are together! Having fun in fair or rainy weather!”

“We’re learning to make every single day count in the rain or shine or sun…”

In addition to regular activities, today campers climbed on Castle Rock in the morning, and some adventurous gals left for an overnight rafting trip. For evening program, cabins were given an object, that they then come up with an alternative usage, and commercial demonstrating how it works. All in all, it was a full, wet, and fun-filled day at RBC!

Sunday at Rockbrook Camp

Sundays are a different kind of day at Rockbrook. Everyone sleeps in and comes to breakfast in their pajamas! Afterward, everyone goes back to their cabin to change into their “whities,” or camp uniform, for flag raising and Chapel. Campers and counselors congregate on the hill in a U-shape around the flagpole and silently watch the Hi-Ups (the oldest campers) raise the flag.

After saying the pledge and singing “O, Beautiful,” everyone makes their way to Chapel. Today’s theme was sharing and was led by the Middlers and Juniors. Campers and counselors worked together to come up with songs, poems and visual contributions around that theme during the week. Camp director Sarah Carter closed the chapel service with one of her ever popular readings. This week it was Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.

Walking the path of silence to Chapel

Sunday afternoon is a very special time at camp when we do a camp-wide event. Campers spent much of their free time throughout the week preparing for the afternoon event “Miss RBC” which is a very silly interpretation of a beauty pageant. Campers compete for the title as a cabin group. Junior 6 took the title with their hit new song “All the Dogs in the Park!”

The top finishers in Miss RBC

Relaxation describes the rest of Sunday at Rockbrook. Campers wrapped up the evening with movie night where they all piled in the gym to enjoy some entertainment before Goodnight Circle and milk and cookies.

As we enter the final week of 1st session, we cannot believe it is almost over. This week we are looking forward to all of the closing events of banquet, the play and spirit fire. So many memories have been shared in the past few weeks, and we know the next few days will bring many many more!