Advanced Riders and Rockbrook Camp

“Can I learn more advanced riding skills at Rockbrook Camp?”

The director of our riding program, Cara, places each camper who wants to ride at camp in a class with girls of similar ability, and assigns each camper an appropriate mount. With outstanding horses from St. Andrews College and Sweet Briar College, and with skilled instructors who work with horses and teach riding year-round, Rockbrook horseback riders are set to learn. It’s so great to ride an excellently schooled horse, and have fresh, appropriate tution for your riding. Advanced riders can learn to post the trot, canter and jump. No matter what your level, the horse riding program at RBC is ready.

NC Equestrian — Camp Photos

Here’s a set of photos taken one day last summer during our equestrian program. It was a particularly nice day, so we took quite a lot .

Girls Only Horse Camps

There are all kinds of horse camps for girls out there, so we often get the question, “What kind of horse camp is Rockbrook?” Well, first of all, we’re a girls only horse camp (no surprise there!). Secondly, we ride and teach lessons in the American system of forward riding, mostly hunter jumper and some dressage. This is different from horse camps that ride western. Like other horse camps, girls at Rockbrook can ride every day, are placed in lessons according to their ability and horsemanship experience, and can spend extra time at the barn learning more about the horses and their care. At the same time, girls at Rockbrook don’t spend all of their time riding or being with the horses because there are so many other activities going on at camp. Rockbrook is primarily a traditional overnight summer camp for girls that also has one of the finest riding programs around. You will ride a lot at Rockbrook and learn a lot about how to ride better, but you’ll also have an amazing time doing camp.

Horseback Riding in NC

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.

Day Of Celebration

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 by the fire. The campers then line up around the lake and sing songs. After the event they are made to go back to their cabins in silence and only use their candles for light. As it would be in 1921, no electricity is used. And so ends the last night of third session, we’ve had a blast and are looking forward to 4th session! Thanks to all of the campers, counselors, administration, and everyone who have made this session successful!

The Fourth of July at Camp

Galloping hooves woke up Rockbrook this morning as we were warned “The British are coming!” Then everyone walked out to the hill in their pajamas for flag raising. After a few songs, we all gathered donning our red, white, and blue for breakfast.

We enjoyed another sunny afternoon that was perfect for lunch on the hill and Cabin Day. Each cabin decorated their own flag cake with red strawberries, white whipped topping, and blue… blueberries. Also, we strung streamers and inflated balloons to patriotically spiff up our cabins. Needless to say, they look beautiful! But back to Cabin Day.

Collectively, the Junior line took a trip to Dolly’s, Rockbrook’s favorite ice cream stop. I maintain that we are their best costumers. Back at camp, the rest of the cabins bonded via tye dye, hikes, plaques, and other campy activities. And now we all eagerly anticipate the devouring of our masterpieces. Happy Independence Day!

Equestrian Camp NC

Going to an equestrian camp, a summer camp that offers a quality horseback riding program, is one of the best things you can do to improve your riding skills. It gives you a chance to learn from new instructors, to hear about different techniques, and to simply practice everything in a new environment. Along these lines, riding at camp introduces you to new horses and their different personalities. Overall, attending a horse camp program helps diversify your riding skills and horsemanship knowledge. And of course, it’s a lot of fun too!