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March 24, 2011July 21, 2020 • Counselors • Mandy Horton

So Many Rockbrook Staff!

We are currently gearing up for another fun-filled summer at Rockbrook led by so many wonderful people! Some folks think that our staff is simply comprised of our cabin counselors and activity instructors. However, the Rockbrook ship needs a variety of crew members to keep it afloat and continue its fun summer traditions. Here is a glimpse of the wonderful non-cabin positions we hire for every summer.

Kitchen Staff: These folks work closely with our Kitchen Manager Rick Hastings to prepare all of our meals and snacks each day from scratch. From sprinkle muffins in the morning to cookout food on the hill, the kitchen staff keeps us energized and happy!

Liz works in kitchen — Liz baking some yummy treats!

Nurses: Our nurses are usually moms of campers who keep us healthy. They live in our health hut, pass out routine medications, evaluate any injuries, coordinate doctor appointments, and keep track of our campers during their time at camp.

Adventure Staff: This group is comprised of some experts in their respective fields who typically live off camp and come in most days to lead a variety of trips. They are specially trained to lead backpacking day and overnight trips, whitewater kayaking trips, rock climbing trips, and a few others. Most are trained to drive buses and get our campers to and from camp safely.

Lexie helping a camper to climb — Lexie helps our campers climb safely

Maintenance Staff: Led by our year-round caretakers Mr. Richie and Mrs. Connie, our extra maintenance staff who join us during the summer keep our facilities in tip top shape. They routinely clean the bathrooms and dining hall. In addition, they help us move the heavy stuff around camp, paint and any other miscellaneous tasks to keep camp beautiful!

Office Staff: In addition to our camp directors, we bring in a fantastic office team for the summer so that our directors can move about camp and work with our campers more easily. They handle camper forms, luggage, the camper photos that go up daily, parent communication, and really anything that arises.

We sure appreciate all of these folks and what they do to keep us going!

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March 22, 2011July 8, 2023 • Arts • rbc

Scoubidou, Boondoggle, Gimp

What is a gimp? Originating in France and popular even today at summer camps worldwide, it’s what we call a lanyard. Did you know that “Scoubidou” (pronounced in your best french accent) is its original name? They’re called “Scoubies” for short, and can refer to either the colorful plastic strands used or the final project of repeated knots. Sometimes, when the material is braided, it is called a “Boondoggle,” a name that appears to have come from the boy scouts and their tradition of braiding a ring of leather straps to hold a neckerchief.

At camp, this traditional arts activity is insanely popular. You can see it everywhere.

This lanyard material is also referred to as “Gimp,” following the name for twisted treads (usually silk, cotton or wool) used as decorative trimming on dresses. Our familiar lanyards have quite a history!

The world record for the longest Scoubidou (Boondoggle, Gimp, Lanyard) is held by Manuela Dos Santos of Brancourt, France. On November 11, 2008, she finished her Scoubi— 1,673 feet and 2 inches! An amazing project. It makes us wonder if the strands she used were single long pieces or sections tied together.

Want to learn more? Check out these links:
Basic Lanyard patterns
Fun Scoubidou projects
Cool Boondoggle videos

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March 21, 2011October 2, 2020 • Counselors • Charlotte Page

Nancy Carrier and Peggy the Great Dane

Nancy Carrier's dog Peggy was a beloved addition to camp life — Mrs. Carrier and Peggy on The Rockbrook House lawn

Many campers and staff from the early days of Rockbrook often mention Mrs. Carrier’s dog and sidekick, Peggy. We were thrilled to find a photograph of Mrs. Carrier and Peggy together so we could “meet” the girls favorite mascot during those early years. Here is a great excerpt about Peggy, written by a former camper:

“All the campers knew and loved the Great Dane, “Peggy”, who followed Mrs. Carrier wherever she went. She seemed in her canine way to be part director, for she watched the girls as though responsible for their safety. She was a harlequin, the bright patches of white over-lapping the black spots, and though her bark was frightening, she had the gentlest of natures. Seeing her bounce up the hill at the side of Senior Lodge, one knew that Mrs. Carrier could not be far behind and that as long as her mistress stayed in the camp area Peggy would be nearby.”

If you have any Peggy stories you would like to share we would love to hear from you!

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March 18, 2011May 30, 2020 • Children • Jeff Carter

All Their Senses

“I worry about how much time my kids spend looking at a screen.”

We’ve heard this more than once recently, perhaps not so surprisingly when you consider how many electronic screens are part of our lives these days. For our kids too, in addition to television, there are cellphones, computers, tablet computers, ebook readers and hand-held video games. Screens are everywhere, even in our pockets! With this kind of availability and often unlimited access to technology, we now see that the average 8-18 year old child in America is spending 53 hours per week consuming electronic media.

We’ve discussed before the value of unplugging from technology and how camp gets kids out of the virtual world of screens and into the actual world of nature. Camp turns off the screens and gets kids actually doing things instead of just watching.

It’s worth underlining another benefit to turning off the screens. It’s the simple fact that by getting kids outside and giving them lots of fun things to do, they stimulate and utilize all their senses. They feel things— mist in the morning, hear things— owls at night, smell things— galax along the trail, and even taste things— s’mores (!), that can’t come from a screen. By bringing all of their senses into play, instead of just their eyes and ears, kids activate and develop their brains in important ways that can enrich their future experiences.

This is another way camp really matters to kids. It’s fun in creative, imaginative, and sensuous ways. It’s stimulating in the best sense.

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March 7, 2011January 30, 2020 • History • Charlotte Page

Camp – A Place to Recharge

Rockbrook Camp, founded 1921, Lake and Lodge View — Rockbrook Lake and Lodge, 1921

In a time when we all lead such busy lives it is nice to have a place like Rockbrook where you can step out of the hustle and bustle of the modern world and live a more simple and thoughtful life. We recently discovered a chapter in the Rockbrook Memories Book that was written in the 1960’s that expresses this same thought. Whether it be the 1960’s or the 2010’s, we all appreciate that Rockbrook provides a haven for girls to reconnect with themselves, friends and the natural world.

“Living in a world so filled with change that it is difficult to communicate with one’s grandchildren, it is good to know that girls still enjoy living close to Nature, hiking down mountain trails, sleeping under the stars, cooking over an open fire and swimming in a rocky pool. It is refreshing to discover that there is one area, at least, where time has stood practically still. That area is summer camping where a cardinal is still a cardinal and although one may picnic on plastic instead of paper, one gets the same thrill from a mountain sunset or a flamboyant rainbow covering the earth with its semi-circle of jeweled colors.”– Mary Bissell McIver Thompson

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March 2, 2011April 6, 2024 • News • Charlotte Page

In Remembrance: Sue Baierbach Alley

Our good friend and Rockbrook Alumna Phyllis Shaw sent us word of the passing of former Rockbrook counselor Sue Alley. Sue and Phyllis were counselors together in the early 60’s.

Phyllis says: “Sue and I kept up closely, bound by that Rockbrook connection. Despite her numerous health issues over the years, she maintained a positive outlook and spoke of her health problems with wry humor. I last saw her two years ago when I got a last-minute weekend fare and flew out to surprise her for her birthday–a real Rockbrook SURprise, for sure!”.

We were saddened to hear of Sue’s passing, but are so thankful to have such a wonderful group of Alumnae that create our huge Rockbrook family. Her obituary can be read below.

Sue B. Alley
(February 17, 1940 – February 24, 2011)

Sue B. Alley, age 71, a resident of West Chicago, died February 24, 2011, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She was raised in Elmhurst, the daughter of Edward and Bess Baierbach.

She graduated from York High School where she was active with women’s sports and GAA. She received a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from IL State University. She was a camp counselor at Rock Brook in North Carolina and Lake Geneva Youth Camp. On October 17, 1964 she married Scott Alley. She was a member of College Church in Wheaton and Lombard Gospel Chapel.

She was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame as a super fan. She enjoyed watching Wheaton Academy Sports and following her “grandchildren” Andrea, Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin.

She is survived by her husband, Scott, two daughters, Jenny (Tony) Dudasik of LaGrange Park, and Carol (William) Melton of Mulberry, AR, and one sister, Jean (Ben) Hinckle of Dongola, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Lombard Gospel Chapel, Stewart and Pleasant St. in Lombard.

Memorial gifts may be directed to An Open Door Adoption Agency, Melton Fund, P.O. Box 4 218 E. Jackson Street, Thomasville, Georgia 31799 (opendoor@rose.net)

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February 28, 2011March 17, 2023 • Horseback Riding • rbc

Horse Girls of all Ages

One common question about our horseback riding program is whether all the girls at camp, from the smallest kindergartners to the oldest teenagers, can ride while attending Rockbrook. The answer is yes! We are very careful to tailor our riding lessons to accommodate both absolute beginners as well as those teen horse girls who want to spend as much time as possible at the equestrian center.

For those girls who are brand new to riding, camp is a perfect place to develop their interest and take their very first ride. They will learn important safety rules, how to mount, riding positions, how to communicate with their horse, and so much more. They will get to know some of the experienced, gentle ponies Rockbrook has especially suited for beginning horseback riders.

For older, and more advanced horse girls, there are special mounted lessons to match their ability as well. The Rockbrook horseback riding program is ready to teach more difficult riding techniques and likewise has great, well-schooled horses for skilled riders.

There’s horseback riding for everyone at Rockbrook!

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February 23, 2011May 30, 2020 • Children • Jeff Carter

Interrupt the Race to Nowhere

After discussing the rigorous, driven parenting style recounted by Amy Chua, the recent documentary film Race to Nowhere adds fuel to the fire. In their desire to do “what’s best” for their kids, to provide them “every opportunity,” and to cheer them on to “work hard” toward their goals, the film shows parents pushing their kids to the brink. It’s heartbreaking to see in the film the anxiety both school kids and their parents are dealing with as they race between school work, team practice, and other responsibilities. The quality of what they eat and the amount of sleep they get are the first to be sacrificed in this pressure to excel, but kids are also, I would say, giving up important parts of their childhood. In the name of “getting into a good college” and later, “getting a good job” they have hopped on a treadmill that’s speeding past valuable opportunities to develop as healthy, happy human beings.

Here again, we have to applaud the power of a traditional sleepaway summer camp to act as a welcome relief from these pressures. Rockbrook is a down-to-earth community of people who simply love to relax, be themselves, make good solid friendships, and enjoy the pure freedom of summer. We’re a zany bunch, always in motion, and always ready to try something new for the fun of it. Camp, like the best moments of childhood, is full of unexpected pleasures. Surrounded by equally enthusiastic people, it’s easy to be excited about everything!

The lasting benefits of a camp experience are very well documented, but here’s another. It’s simply wonderful for kids to take a break from the pressures of school. Interrupting the “race to nowhere” with camp is a very good idea.

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February 21, 2011May 30, 2020 • History • Charlotte Page

Horseback Riding History at Camp

Since the founding of Rockbrook in 1921, Horseback Riding has been a perennial favorite for many of our campers. Our program is based on the forward seat style of riding and we have always had horses and instructors to work with all skill levels. In a Rockbrook catalog from 1926 the Horseback Riding program is a featured activity. Here is an excerpt:

“A string of well broken horses affords every girl an opportunity to enjoy this wholesome sport. In an enclosed field each camper is instructed by experts in the arts of horsemanship. She is taught how to bridle, saddle and mount a horse; how to care for it on trip; how to feed and groom her mount as well as how to ride gracefully and securely.”

Here is another featured comment of the 1926 catalog:

“The horse show of Event Week attracts spectators from the neighboring country and cities and Rockbrook has been referred to as “The Camp where the girls are taught to ride so well.”

The horse show at Rockbrook occurs at the end of each session.

Campers each receive a ribbon during the Rockbrook horse show

So as you can see from the 1920’s or 1970’s up to today, our riding program continues to offer girls a wonderful place to learn the skills and joys of horseback riding. If you have any great horseback riding stories from your time at camp we would love to hear from you. We would love to know more about some of the overnight trail rides and any of your favorite horses. Some of the horses we often hear stories about are Sambo, Peaches, April, Be Good and Druid. Please help us add to our horseback riding archive!

Visit our website to learn more about our current horseback riding program.

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