Our Directors
Sarah and Jeff
Sarah and Jeff Carter are the owners and directors of Rockbrook.
Sarah began working at RBC in 1985 as a counselor and has served full-time as the Assistant Director. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt University, and has many years experience working with children and parents, both as a teacher and as an administrator.
Jeff attended Davidson College, earned a master’s from Harvard University, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He began working at RBC in 1988 as a hiking and climbing guide, and has directed the Castle Rock Institute, a college outdoor program associated with Rockbrook.
Sarah and Jeff live in Brevard, North Carolina year-round with their 16-year-old daughter Lily, and their 5-year old dog Felix. Their oldest child Eva attends Davidson College.
Sofie Ehlinger Lawrence
Wellness Director
Sofie began working at RBC in 2009. She has served as a Cabin Counselor, Head of the Waterfront, Staff Director, and currently holds the position of Wellness Director. She works year-round to support the social, emotional and mental health of the entire Rockbrook community. Sofie was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, and is currently pursuing a Masters in clinical social work at UNC Chapel Hill. At camp, you can find Sofie teaching yoga, enjoying muffin breaks, and she always loves a good chat! She’s available to talk anytime!
Casey Blair
Program Director
Casey began working at camp as a Junior Line cabin counselor and has had the opportunity to be the Junior Linehead, the Middler Linehead, and the Staff Coordinator during her five summers spent at camp. After graduating from Centre College with a degree in Studio Art, she earned her MAT in Elementary Education from the University of Louisville and spent two months teaching a 4th grade classroom. Casey can now be seen at recruitment parties, in her office planning special events and camp activities for the upcoming summer, or petting Felix – our camp dog!
Laura Evans Duncan
Staff Director
Laura started coming to Rockbrook in 2006. Since then, she has been a camper, CIT, Barn Staff and currently serves as the Staff Director. Laura earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science from Brevard College and her Master’s in Teaching from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. If you catch Laura around camp, she loves to hear about campers favorite horses down at the barn or favorite meal in the dining hall!
Annie Gustafson
Office Director and Creative Director
Annie is our social media guru (check out our Insta, Facebook, Pinterest, and more), she helps organize and design the camp gear and goodies we have to offer, and alongside Jeanne she handles all those exciting logistics that make camp happen! She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Anthropology. In the off season she can be found on the road traveling for Rockbrook, if you see her at a camp show be sure to ask her about her adorable dog, Chance!
Bonnie Bates
Registrar
Bonnie grew up loving all things camp. Attending college in the mountains of Dahlonega at the University of North Georgia and always surrounding herself with creeks and nature, Bonnie came back to what she always loved. She has worked for decades in the camp industry here in western North Carolina and brings a deep understanding of camp to Rockbrook. She is the go to person for all things related to enrollment, and for helping families navigate the ins and outs of attending Rockbrook.
Clyde Carter
Adventure Director
Clyde is now retired from his job as an Associate Professor of Recreation/Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education at Brevard College. He has a B.A. from Clemson and a Master’s Degree from Minnesota State University. With his extensive backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater boating experience, he has assisted Rockbrook’s outdoor adventure program for more than 20 years.
Rockbrook is a North Carolina Camp well known in the national summer camp movement. Since 1921, Rockbrook camp has enjoyed outstanding leadership. Our current Directors, Sarah and Jeff Carter, each have more than 30 years experience at Rockbrook, and have together held most of the administrative positions at camp throughout their tenure. They are both educators and have taught children in pre-school, elementary, middle, high school, college and graduate school.
Prior to the Carters, Rockbrook’s directors were also known for their leadership. Our senior staff members and directors have had experience in education, child development, and experiential programs. The majority of our seasonal staff have been associated with Rockbrook in the past, as either former campers or counselors. This experience, coupled with further orientation and training, help us provide an excellent camp staff.