Gymnastics at Summer Camp

Combine flexibility, poise, balance and some strength, and you’ve got an idea of the gymnastics program at Rockbrook Camp. We teach different classes for girls with different levels of experience so everyone can learn something and improve their skills. We use traditional gymnastics equipment like the beam, bars, and tumbling floor, but also enjoy fun exercises and musical/rhythmic gymnastics. It’s just one of the many skill-based activities available at camp each session.

Youth Camps NC 2007

Rockbrook’s youth camps in NC have three different cabin groups or “lines,” areas of camp where girls of similar age stay together. Each line has its own stone meeting lodge (complete with cozy fireplace !) where the age group can hold activities during the day and special camp programs in the evening. The line we call the “Juniors” is for youth girls who have finished the 4th grade and below (kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade). The “Middlers” are girls who have finished 5th and 6th grade, and the “Seniors” are girls who have completed 7th, 8th and 9th grade. Combining the three lines, Rockbrook has summer youth camp programs for girls ages 6-16.

All Girl Summer Camp

Since 1921, Rockbrook has been an all girl summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s been a place where girls ages 6-16 can challenge themselves and forget about “what the guys might think,” relax and get to know each other in a supportive and noncompetitive environment. There’s just something about there being all girls that makes it the kind of place where you find incredible friends. Sure, it’s tons of fun and full of action, but it’s also really special when you become a part of it.

Games for Girls

An article in the New York Times this weekend about recess in school made me think how the “unstructured time outside with other children” that camp provides is so important. The article is by Debra Nussbaum and is here. It reports that many American elementary schools are reducing the time devoted to recess. With an emphasis on academics and required standardized testing, the school day is busier and unfortunately recess has been one of the first things to be cut. For many parents, this is an alarming trend.

Recess is important because it provides kids freedom to play as they (and not adults) choose. It’s physical, outdoor time for exploring and growing.

“It’s a time for children to relate to their friends. Society has taken away a lot of children’s childhood. Play is children’s work.”

One of the great things about camp is its ability to provide a safe context for girls to interact in this way. Between our organized activities and meals, campers can play in the creek, sit around and talk, play tetherball, read under a tree, or just run around together— all within the bounds of camp and close by a helpful staff member. As time for recess shrinks at school, time at camp seems even more important.

P.S. Of course, the value of recess as play incudes the value of being outdoors.

Tetherball Games for Kids

Tetherball! One of those great outdoor games at Rockbrook that seems to always be in motion. What is tetherball? My dictionary puts it this way:

a game in which two people use their hands or paddles to hit a ball suspended on a cord from an upright post, the winner being the first person to wind the cord completely around the post.

It takes practice, like most games, but it’s fun no matter how good you are. A quick game played between activity periods or during free time before meals— we love it!

Dressing Up at Summer Camp

Getting ready for the Miss RBC show

Shaving Cream Fight!

Crazy camp fun… Oh so different from school!