Knitting Camp Girls
“Like your hat Maddie.”
You get to make some pretty cool stuff when you come to camp… like this hat for instance. Maddie knitted it when she first got to camp last summer, and from then on was rarely seen without it. It’s true; knitting has become an increasingly popular activity at camp. The Rockbrook girls are learning that knitting isn’t all that difficult (once you master the basic stitches!), is really a lot of fun, and is so satisfying when you see what you’ve made. It’s the kind of thing that you can then continue after camp at Home. It can become a life-long hobby!
P.S. That’s Looking Glass Falls in the background.
Pottery — A craft tradition for girls at Rockbrook
One of the many folk crafts of the Appalachian region, including the area around Rockbrook Camp, is pottery. Following a long tradition of people making household pots from clay, there are now, according to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, more than 125 ceramic artists and potters working in western North Carolina. Using traditional and modern techniques, the most amazing sculpture, tiles, pots and other vessels still spring from these hills.
At Rockbrook, girls and crafts definitely go together, and making pottery is something just about everyone does. It’s probably one of the most popular activities, in fact (not counting horseback riding 
). Working with clay, pinching, rolling, flattening, shaping, texturizing, and spinning on the wheel, the girls make some amazing things. It’s particularly exciting to see how the glazes come out after firing their work. Who would think continuing an Appalachian crafts tradition would be so fun!
Teenagers Coming to Camp
Another important aspect of camp for teens is the many positive relationships they form with other girls, both younger and older than themselves. Take away competition and foster authentic communication instead. Remove self-doubt, and receive genuine encouragement instead. Step from being ignored to a place of listening, respect and care. This kind of summer camp program is just magical for teen girls. Perhaps this helps explain why you hear teenagers talk about “my camp.” It’s that place where they feel the best, feel most connected, and happily themselves.
Jacksonville Florida Summer Camp Girls
We just had a wonderful time visiting all the Rockbrook Camp girls down in Jacksonville, Florida. Tons of girls came and enjoyed the party, the pizza, the craft activity, and of course the camp movie and slide show. Most of them were new girls wanting to learn more about camp, but we also had plenty of current campers too. All ages were there— Juniors, Middlers and Seniors (up to 9th grade) —and we even had two Rockbrook alumni, moms who attended when they were younger! It’s always so great to see everyone, to think back to all the fun from last summer, and to look forward to next summer’s excitement.
A Crazy Camp of Grannies
A bathrobe
A wig
A couple of hair curlers
Lots of powder for all over
Glasses, preferably small ones on the end of your nose
Pillows or other stuffing for certain areas
A walking cane
Loose, baggy nylon stockings
Big puffy slippers
Really red, and a little messy, lipstick
A scratchy or frail sounding voice
“Put them altogether, and you’ve got a Rockbrook…” Well, a granny of course! And not just one, but a couple of hundred! It’s one of our favorite special evening programs at camp— to get dressed up like old ladies and play bingo. “Granny Bingo.” The thrill of the game, the awesome prizes, the costumes, and all the laughing. Sure it’s silly, it’s crazy, it’s goofy, but it’s also excellent fun.
Summer Dance Camp
Dance continues to be one of the more popular summer camp activities we offer at Rockbrook. The stone “Lakeview Lodge” (shown in this picture) is set up for dancing— one wall with mirrors, a good smooth wood floor, and plenty of space to move around in. Girls love it because no matter how much you know about different kinds of dance (for example, Jazz, Tap, Irish, Hip Hop, Modern, or Abstract!), you’ll find something fun to try. The counselors are great at picking dances appropriate to the age and experience of each camper. Another chance at camp to be creative, learn something, and have big fun with your friends!
Pottery Camp for Girls
What’s the pottery program like at Rockbrook Camp?
It’s fantastic! There are two different pottery studios at camp, each with work tables for hand building (using coils, slabs, and pinch techniques) and potter’s wheels for learning how to make wheel-thrown pots. No matter what their level of experience, campers can make all sorts of bowls, plates, cups, and sculptures. One popular thing to make is a whistle that you shape into some kind of animal, like a turtle for example. It’s neat to actually make your own pottery at camp instead of just glazing pre-made pots. After your creations are “bisque fired” (the first kiln firing that completely dries and stabilizes the pottery), you then paint on different color glazes, and after the final firing, you’ve got the coolest, shiny colored ceramics. Of course, in addition to learning all about this, it’s great to bring home all the pottery you’ve made.
Camp Jobs
December 14, 2007 by rbc
Filed under counselors
This is the time of year when we start announcing our summer camp jobs. Each summer part of our camp staff return to be counselors, trip leaders, and activity instructors, but we also accept applications from new people who would like to work at camp. With 200 girls at camp each session, we need lots of people to help with the program. In fact, we’ll have almost 100 employees during the summer helping! So if you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about our camp jobs, get in touch with us (or fill out this form) and we’ll send you an information packet.
