As we walk the paths and trails of Rockbrook we are always excited to find unusual species of plants and flowers. On a recent walk, Rockbrook alumnae Barrie B. and Maggie K. spotted this orchid, known as the The Showy Orchid. The Latin name is Galearis Spectabilis. While they are not rare in NC, they are on the endangered list in SC and several other states. The Showy Orchid grows in deciduous forests and can typically be found growing on rocks. It flowers in the spring, the bloom lasting 2-3 months. When the campers arrive in a few short weeks, the orchids will still be putting on a beautiful show. Thanks you Maggie for sharing this photograph with us!
If you missed our last wildflower report, check out this recent blog post on the Trout Lilies that grow at RBC.
Rachel Simmons is the founder of the Girls Leadership Institute (GLI), a national nonprofit organization that develops leadership qualities in young girls. The GLI offers programming that engages adolescent females in healthy relationship practices, emotional intelligence, and assertive and confident self-expression. Simmons recently spoke at a TED conference about the incredible importance of positive female-to-female relationships among girls at an early age. A startling trend has been discovered: as girls grow into adolescence, their self-esteem reduces greatly. Girls begin to internalize societal pressures to be passive, modest, pleasing, and liked. With those as guiding core values, Simmons notes that young women hit a psychological glass ceiling that carries through their development. To quote Simmons, this produces a situation where “if [women’s] college applications are stamped with 21st century girl power, and they are, we also see their psychological resumes lagging generations behind.”
We as a greater society need to instill young women with the confidence, drive, and assertion they need to live successful and fulfilling lives. This change begins at an early age and it begins in healthy female-to-female relationships. Girls need to be coached, supported, and guided to this empowered state of being, and as a counselor for young women, your impact could not be more influential. As Simmons notes, “Relationships with peers and adults offers [young women] opportunities to learn how to advocate for themselves, negotiate, and compromise.” Camp is the perfect place to put girls on a path towards fulfilling friendships, positive self-image, and healthy self-expression. Watch Simmons’ video highlighted by high schooler Claire Sannini’s personal testimony of relationship struggles, and get inspired about all the potential this summer holds.
The ruins of the Hume Hotel, Dunn’s Rock, Transylvania County, NC
In the oral history of Rockbrook there is an interesting story of the connection between Brevard’s oldest hotel, The Hume Hotel and Rockbrook. Legend says that the stones from the hotel ruins were used by Rockbrook’s engineer Royal Morrow in the construction of The Junior Lodge at RBC. While we can not authenticate the story, it seems possible that the stones could have easily been used due to the hotel’s proximity to the Rockbrook property. As you can see in the photo above, the ruins lie just below Dunns Rock, on the current Island Ford Road right across from main camp. Currently there is a house on the site, but there are a few remaining rocks left from the 1840’s hotel. At the time it was built, it was the first hotel in Transylvania County. We may never know the real answer to the mystery, but we like to think of Rockbrook’s connection to such an important landmark. Check out this blog post from our archives for more information about the hotel.
What’s that red dot in this photo? Amazingly, it’s a Rockbrook camper climbing Castle Rock! You may have heard that Rockbrook is lucky to have a great rock climbing area right on its property, and that this makes it incredibly easy to rock climb while at camp. It’s true, and here’s the proof! You may not, however, have a sense of just how BIG Castle Rock is. Well, it’s enormous… the exposed rock face being easily 250 feet tall.
Our friend Bob Twomey, who is a helicopter pilot and the owner of Wolf Tree Aviation, helped a photographer grab these shots last summer. Bob passed them along to us, and we just had to share.
Ready for some rock climbing? That red dot could be you!
Around here at Rockbrook, we’re big fans of discussing why summer camp is so great for kids. There’s no doubt that spending time at camp is super fun and kids love it, but it’s also important for their personal, physical and social development. In so many ways, camp is something our modern kids need more than ever because it provides relief from unhealthy habits. It serves, as we’ve said before, as a “haven” for children.
Over on the Web site What’s Up for Kids, Kathy Alessandra just posted an article entitled, “Five Reasons Your Child Needs Camp.” Reporting information from the American Camp Association and several well-respected studies, the article is a nice reminder of some very significant ways kids benefit from camp.
Here are the 5 reasons listed.
Campers gain positive life skills like “making friends” and “trying new things.”
Campers stay in motion, enjoying physical exercise.
Campers have experiences that help them back at school.
Campers reconnect with nature.
Campers engage in creative free play.
Of course, there’s a lot to each of these, but perhaps most importantly, this article is another reminder of how rare and valuable a summer camp experience is for our kids. Definitely a great thing!
