Girls Camp Photos
We thought it would be fun to share a few photos from Rockbrook’s past. So for the next few days we’ll give you a glimpse or two into what our girls camp looked like in days gone by. Being a camp founded in 1921, there are some really neat shots. This first photo is of the craft cabin called “Curosty.” It’s still where the girls do fiber arts, weaving, knitting, beading, and such. Those looms are still in service!
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!
Fun Crafts for Girls
Rockbrook has so many arts and craft activities for girls— drawing, loom weaving, fabric painting, beading, candle making, and basketry, to name a few. But one of the most popular is pottery. The girls learn both hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics techniques and have a great time making dishes like cups and bowls, and sculpting animals and other figures out of clay. With everything glazed and fired, we really see some amazing work!
Kids Camp in North Carolina
Here are a few of our “seniors” up on Cascade Lake. It’s just a few minutes from our North Carolina kids camps near the Dupont State Forest, and is a wonderful place to bring the sea kayaks. We put in on one end of the lake and paddle to the other end to see Hooker Falls, an awesome waterfall. For some, sea kayaking has become their favorite outdoor adventure activity at camp!
How to Play 7up
Have you ever played the game 7up? Some people call it “heads up 7up.” It’s a very simple game for kids that’s often played at school. At our summer camp for girls, we’ve seen all kinds of variations… outdoor versions, gym versions, and rainy day versions. We’ve got the basics described on this page of our main site: play 7up.
Can you think of any other ways to play the game?
Halloween Projects
It’s almost time for Halloween! And that means it’s about time to get busy with a fun Halloween project. There are so many out there. This site lists a few, but our favorite is carving a jackolantern.
Did you know that the word is derived from “Jack of the Lantern,” but before that referred to a “strange light flickering in the distance?” Pretty Cool! Read more about the history here.
Also, if you’re in the mood to carve one yourself (We know you are!), check out this page with a few patterns.
Hey, send us a photo of your creation! Happy Halloween Everybody!
Rockbrook Campers Write!
June 22, 2006 by rbc
Filed under girls camps
The activity at camp called “Journalism” has published its session collection of writings. Posted and distributed around camp— even on toilet stall doors! —the campers have named it the “Toilet Paper.” We thought everyone would like to read it. So, here it is as a .pdf file. Enjoy!
