Jump On The Springboard – Swim !!

Something pretty great happened to me today, down at the lake in the mid-morning hours: I joined the 440 Club. In order to join this prestigious Rockbrook organization, you have to swim 100 laps across a certain distance in the lake, and once you complete those 100 laps (440 meters), you get to go to Dolly’s as a reward. Honestly, who wouldn’t attempt the 440 for a chance to go to Dolly’s? Which is why I was accompanied by about 7 other campers and 2 other counselors desperately trying to complete the 440 before the deadline tomorrow afternoon. Not only is it another one of those Rockbrook traditions that campers come back to each year, but it’s something to work hard for, something to accomplish, and it’s hard to understand how satisfying it feels to see those stars filled in on your personal 440 card unless you are actually completing the distance yourself. I spent some quality time with the lake today, which I haven’t done in awhile, and I now understand why tons of campers race down at the beginning of every free swim. Despite the cold water (which is very easy to get over) swimming down at the lake was probably the most fun I’ve had during free time since I came to camp. Wait a second, a trip to Dolly’s because I had so much fun in the lake today? I know what flavor of ice cream I’ll be ordering!

Sliding Rock Outdoor Camp Fun!

Another amazing trip we take while at camp is to Sliding Rock in the Pisgah Forest. Only a few miles from camp, we’ll take a whole group of girls over for a few trips down the natural water slide. It’s tons of fun! You walk to the top of the slide, sit down in the very chilly rushing stream water, and you’re off… heading right down to the deep pool at the bottom the the slide. Swim to the side and then head back to the top! Over and over again, it’s great.

Outdoors Camps

And speaking of relay races… here’s another classic summer camp activity. It’s the greased watermelon! There are several versions of this, but basically you take a good sized watermelon, coat it with shortening, toss it in the water (yep, it floats) and then you try to push it through the water as a relay. You can also set up two teams and play a little “soccer” with two goals. Lots of outdoor summer action in the cool water of the lake.

Children Summer Camp Swimming

Ready for a dip in the Rockbrook Camp lake? It’s always “refreshing” , which is our way of saying, “chilly, chilly, chilly.” This is because the lake is fed by a true mountain stream that runs down Rockbrook Falls nearby. Jumping in on a hot summer day feels just great.

Ready for that swim now? We sure are! Here are Sarah and Katie, two of our lifeguards from last summer, ready to keep a close eye and lend a hand if you need it.

NC Camps

What’s more fun than jumping in the lake at camp? A warm sunny day, chilly NC mountain water, and lots of friends chattering around, that diving board has just the perfect spring. We’ve got our buddy tags on the board, towels safely on the “sun rock,” we’re ready to take the plunge. It’s not too high. Wait, wait, I’m not ready. Are you going to do a trick, a spin or something? Not this time, just a running jump… Hold your nose! One, two, three, …and splash, that was awesome! Let’s do it again!

Water Skiing Games

Sign up early for summer 2006 and you will get the chance to go on some amazing trips. If you sign up for 2 weeks or more you will get to go waterskiing on Lake Keowee. Campers who sign up early for the 4 week session will get to go waterskiing twice! Seniors will have their choice of the second waterskiing trip or a whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee. What a blast! Just mail in your deposit and early application by October 1 and we will save you a spot. If your plans change do not worry as the deposit is refundable until February 1.