The lake at Rockbrook is built between four really big rocks, gigantic bolders in fact. That’s really cool because these rocks make perfect places to lounge in the sun, catch a few rays, or just to leave your towel as you swim. Sunbathing during free swim is a pretty popular activity with our older girls (seniors). Hidden in the woods, the Rockbrook Camp lake is our own unique oasis in the summer.
Speaking of canoeing, it’s still a summer camp activity we offer at Rockbrook. Like most of the adventure activities, we have a progression where kids first learn basic skills and safety procedures, and then move up to more challenging aspects. For canoeing, we learn the names and uses of the equipment (the boats and paddles, for example), then practice different paddling strokes and techniques to steer the canoes in the water. With all of that firmly in place, we’re off to one of the local rivers— the French Broad, the Green, the Tuckaseegee, or the Nantahala. Each offers its own unique challenges and whitewater thrills.
Here’s something cool— it’s the cover page from the 1925 camp catalog. Rockbrook’s first summer was in 1921, so this is very early in the history of the camp. You can see the founders listed right there on the bottom: Nancy Clarke Carrier and Henry Carrier, her husband. No doubt the photo is a canoeing trip on the French Broad River at the foot of camp.
One of the most traditional arts and crafts activities at Rockbrook is weaving. It’s been something girls have done at camp since the very beginning back in 1921. In the craft cabin we call Curosty (which even pre-dates camp!), there are several table-top and floor looms we use to teach basic weaving techniques. It takes some time to set things up and to learn how to operate the looms, but you can make really cool designs. Bits of yarn and string, even natural fibers you gather around camp, all come together to create fabrics, place mats, belts, and other straps. Weaving is a lot of fun, and if you really enjoy it, it’s something you can do at home too.
Another great quote from a Rockbrook alumna:
My favorite thing is returning year after year and spotting a friend from the previous year and knowing that even though you didn’t see each other since last summer… you instantly had a best friend for the next couple of weeks.
Yep, making these kinds of friends is probably the coolest part of coming to camp.
Here’s a middler (who’s finished either the 5th or 6th grade of school) climbing up the route called “Whim” on Castle Rock. It’s just one of the rock climbing routes we have on the camp property. There are definitely some challenging spots, with a cool “foot-switch” move about half way up, so we’ve given it a rating of 5.6. Overall, this climb is about 70 feet high, but it feels much higher because it’s got an amazing view of the French Broad River valley from the top. In fact, this picture of Ashleigh is that view.
Just a glimpse into the great outdoor adventure we have at camp.
We’ve often said that attending an kids summer camp like Rockbrook helps children become more self-sufficient and independent. But how does it work? What is it about being at camp that makes this kind of growth possible?
One secret is that camp provides a structured environment where we give children the chance to make their own choices and decisions. At Rockbrook, the girls choose their own activity schedule, rotating to new choices twice a week. There are these structured activity times and plenty of open times throughout the day, thus providing both adult supervision and limits within which the girls feel free to decide what to do. Altogether, camp is a place where kids find success (not to mention tons of fun!), through their own efforts, making choices.
It’s no wonder so many people think of their camp experiences as the most important thing they did as a child.
Hey we’re kids, and we’re ready for camp! We want to play outdoors this summer, dress like a goof ball, and run around trying new activities with our friends. How much longer do we have to wait? Well, once school is out, it won’t be long. In fact, you can see the exact amount of time left before camp opens over on the sidebar. Check out the “Camp Countdown” on the right.
This photo is from “Jug Band” night.
Cara sent this excellent photo of herself and her friends down in Laurinburg, North Carolina. During the school year Cara is a barn manager and riding instrutor at St. Andrews College, and of course, also the Director of Rockbrook’s horse summer camp program. There’s Jack, Nyles and Jonah and the star of the show, Zee Slew!
Tennis is another one of the many (more than 25!) activities at Rockbrook Camp. It’s always cool to get out on our traditional green clay courts (sometimes referred to as a “rubico” surface) and practice your skills or play a quick game. When you select tennis as one of your camp activities, you’ll definitely learn something new, play a lot, and if you want, even join our camp tennis tournament.
Hey! It’s your turn to serve!
