March 16, 2010
A History of Dance
Interpretive dance, old school style
Like to get your groove on? Dance is still an activity at camp. If campers want to, they can be in the dance show, which takes place during the intermission of the play at the end of the session. Of course, there’s lots of dancing at camp – even outside the activity periods – whether at a midnight party, a square dance with boys, or perhaps at an 80′s dance party with just us girls!
March 4, 2010
Appalachian State Job Fair
Jessi and Paige
Can’t wait for summer!
March 2, 2010
Growing Up at Camp
As a staff member, you really get a chance to make a positive impact on campers! Rockbrook has a built-in leadership program. Campers slowly take on more responsibility and learn how to work as a team-player. During their CA year, campers throw an extravagant end-of-session banquet for the whole camp. Then, they come back the next year as a Hi-Up, live in a “secret” cabin, take care of the dining hall, start all the songs, and surprise younger campers with all sorts of goodies throughout the session. 
Here is what a camper wrote about the significant role camp has played in her life:
” What can I say about Rockbrook? After 4 years, I guess I can say Rockbrook has been a wonderful place to go from a little 12 year old to a 15 year old who is close to independence. Rockbrook has shaped me into the young woman I am today – well, it helped and had a big part. I have made so many friends that I will keep forever! I am a CA now, and next year I’ll be a Hi-UP. I will no longer be a camper. BUt in my heart, I will always be a Rockbrook Girl.”
—– Jodi T.
February 16, 2010
Frampton Debuted at Mardi Gras
Frampton and Jessi at Sewanee
Catherine Frampton met with Jessi at Sewanee University, last week before heading home to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and her Debut. A debut is an old tradition in which the family presents their daughter to society. In New Orleans, they also curtsy in front of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras.
Back at camp, Frampton has been the Hi-Up counselor for the past 2 years. She also teaches a painting & drawing, and Keeping-in-Touch (stationery-making). She loves to “get the party started” and has been known to sing quite loudly in the dining hall. Frampton just returned from studying abroad in India, where she took classes for her anthropology major. She hopes to work for a non-profit that focuses on women’s issues.
February 3, 2010
RBC Raleigh Reunion
Sarah, Anna, Jessi, Alice
Counselors Sarah Thompson, Anna Myers and Alice Turner met with Jessi at Lilly’s Pizza. Sarah recently graduated from Emerson College for English. At camp she was the Senior Line Head and taught journalism, sports, and even came up with “mental sports” for the scientific/engineer-minded campers. Anna also graduated last year from NC State for Art. She taught weaving, pottery and other crafty things fitting of a crafty gal. Alice attends Elon and is about to debut a play that she wrote and directed. She got some experience play directing two summers ago at camp!
It was a good example of how camp is a unifying experience – even if you weren’t thereat the same time! Anna and Alice did not work the same years however, they still could laugh and relate to each other.
Having been around since 1921, today Rockbrook has some 4th generation campers. Some things have clearly changed with the times. For instance, there is an the Alpine Climbing Tower, electricity, and more cabins. More buildings have silly names and some traditions have grown even more richer. But the spirit of friendship, of good and spunky gal bonding, has stayed the same.
February 2, 2010
Washington, DC RBC Reunion
Christine, Jessi and Jane
2 former camper/now counselors met with Jessi for Indian food last week. Both of them are great examples of how camp can “add spice” to one’s career and life choices. Christine Alexander, now a George Washington University student, grew up at camp. She is studying theater in college, as well as leading outdoor trips. Jane Pierce is majoring in photography. Even though this is her first year at Corcoran, she already has an internship with Mr. Zhang, a well-known photographer!
January 15, 2010
Junior Campers
There are 3 main age groups at camp – Juniors, Middlers and Seniors. Juniors are 6 to 10 years old. Camp is sooooo magical to them. They love to play in the creek, be members of the bug-catcher’s club, sing the same song over and over again, and of course, hang all over their counselors! 
These little ladies think their counselors are the best! They look forward to bedtime stories and the chance to sit next to their counselors at lunch. For many of them, their first camp experience may be their first time away from home for an extended length of time. Homesickness is fairly common and it’s important for their counselors to be attentive and encouraging – sometimes for longer than initially anticipated. Being a counselor can be hard because results aren’t always instantaneous, however, it’s important to remember that no kind action is ever wasted! This is a great job for any who loves kids, is an elementary education major, or who plans to be a mom one day.
January 8, 2010
What Campers Say about Camp
Spirit Fire
Here’s an endearing Carrier Pigeon (camp yearbook) entry a camper wrote about last summer. It really shows just how special and different of an experience we as camp staff help provide for several hundred girls each summer:
“Only one thing can inspire teenage girls to leave the comforts of civilization to go live in un-air-conditioned, wooded cabins where you wake up at 8 to the frigid mountain air and a list of chores. A place full of bugs, hills, and mostly, nature. A place that we all can’t imagine summer without. Camp.”
—–Larkin J.
January 4, 2010
Asheville Holiday Dinner
Camp is all about the connections that are made whilst lugging trunks up the hill, singing ridiculous songs and sitting around a fire. It’s always a good time when camp friends get together! Last week Kim Libby braved the snow and flew up from Florida. She stayed with Kiva Nice-Webb in Asheville. They had dinner with Sofie Ehlinger, Jessi, Charlotte and Mandy at Rezza’s. With all the boisterous shenanigans you can imagine, it’s a good thing they were in the back corner. Here’s to making more memories!
December 3, 2009
Counselor Anna Alsobrook is now a Peace Corps Volunteer!
Anna on the left
2009 counselor Anna Alsobrook is off to Senegal next spring. She attended the University of Tennessee – Knoxville for Global Studies. At camp, she taught nature and WHOA. Best of luck, Anna!
Anna on the Hi-Up 3 Day
