There’s really nothing quite like a Rockbrook Banquet, the spectacular end-of-session party that celebrates our time together at camp. Every session, the banquet is something everyone looks forward to with building excitement. Leading up to it, there’s chatter about the surprise theme. There are rumors about secret costume choices and decorations that might be involved. The whole camp knows it will be an epic, one-of-a-kind party. It will be something crazy fun, a sensory explosion, even at times an emotional event that we’ll all remember. It’s true; “unforgettable” is often used to describe the banquet.

You may recall the CA (9th grade) campers are the hardworking, creative masterminds behind the banquet. They select a secret theme on the first day of camp and then spend all session preparing for the event by painting decorations, designing costumes, selecting menu items, and choreographing musical dance numbers. Their goal is to transform the dining hall into a unique party scene with lights and colorful decorations like streamers, balloons, table props, and yummy treats.

The real magic of a banquet, though, comes from having your camp friends together for the party. It’s a night to celebrate the fun you’ve shared this session, filled with music, dancing, great party food, fun entertainment, and sweet treats galore.

Anticipation for the banquet builds all day as the CAs decorate the dining hall which has been hidden by sheets hung over the screen windows. Near dinner time, everyone gathers outside dressed in their camp t-shirts. When the moment arrived tonight to begin and we rang the bell, everyone screamed with glee. It also started raining, but all the excitement easily overpowered any discomfort of being a little wet (which is pretty typical of life at camp!)

The CAs started by having everyone crawl along the porch through a tunnel made from extra tables draped in sheets and with fairy lights inside. There wasn’t a clue as to the theme inside. But once they entered the dining hall they were met by some of the most popular musical artists around, people like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, LanaDel Ray, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo. That’s because tonight’s banquet was a music festival entitled “Redbird Music Fest!”

The dining hall was decked out with music festival-themed decorations, hundreds of streamers draped from the ceiling, and even a disco ball. They had musical instrument props and funny inflated microphone props as table decorations, colored glasses to wear, souvenir cups, colorful table clothes, and even more fairy lights— all adding to the festival feel.

There were four choreographed dances. Britney Spears started with a skit where her “security guards” (who were the CA counselors) pretended the backup dancers were missing. The lights went out, and suddenly spotlights hit Britney as she performed “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” Everyone loved it.

Next Sabrina Carpenter danced and performed “Please Please Please,” followed by Taylor Swift singing her hit “22.” The final performance was a Zach Bryan dance to the song “Revival” where everyone danced around the dining hall singing along. Between each performance the banquet was a massive dance party with the girls and the counselors jumping and dancing together.

Throughout the night, they served pretzel bites, chicken tenders with waffle fries and cookie dough for dessert. Everyone was thrilled!

As we end every banquet, the whole camp stood and sang “Rockbrook Camp Forever.” Arm-in-arm and filled with emotion, the lyrics “friends true and faithful” really hit home. It was a truly special moment that perfectly captures the spirit of camp. It was the best kind of party, the kind that’s fun but also brought everyone closer together. It’s like camp in that same way.

Here are a few highlights from today at Rockbrook, from the perspective of a Rockbrook alum, occasional camp mom and substitute camp photographer. I was reflecting on Sunday’s chapel where the theme was ‘small gifts’ we receive every day such as friendship, a rainbow, a sweet note, a happy memory, a helping hand or a hug. I was given the gift of being a photographer on this gorgeous day at Rockbrook camp.

When you are carrying a camera around RBC looking for special moments to capture on a memory card, it turns out they’re pretty easy to find. Every time I looked, I found something that made my heart light up with joy. There were so many moments I’ll mention just a few highlights. 

As I was getting my steps in on the way to the barn, I got sidetracked by all of the action that was happening at Garden Art! Garden Art is located literally in the Rockbrook garden, so the campers enjoying this activity are surrounded by all types of gorgeous growing flowers, some fresh fruit and a small flock of chickens just clucking away. One of the chickens was laying an egg in its coop. Several girls were feeding the chickens that were wandering around their fenced yard. So many nature crafts were in progress. I just couldn’t help but stop and take note. The activity leaders were guiding the campers through their choice of a myriad of crafts. One group was making natural dye by smushing bugs and flowers then creating a canvas using their dye, flowers, leaves and more. Others were doing macramé with cotton cord and sticks they had gathered, carefully tying knots to make wall art. Also, the girls had collected rocks of all shapes and sizes and summoned their imagination to paint creative designs in bright colors! I felt so fortunate to wander upon such a peaceful scene!

At horseback riding, a group of Junior Line campers were pampering the miniature horse named Jolene. Jolene lives down by the barn in her own little house. She was sunning in her outdoor enclosure and the girls were having the time of their lives giving that horse a fun ‘hair do”, petting, brushing and pouring all their love into that sweet animal. Not only were the girls enjoying themselves, but that mini horse was spoiled rotten. What a memorable experience for everyone involved. 

I also visited with a group of girls whose needle craft projects were taking shape. It was so refreshing to enjoy the moment while learning a new activity and engage with campers who came to RBC from Massachusetts to Paris, France! I never cease to be impressed by the kindness, confidence, creativity and character these Rockbrook girls radiate. Parents and guardians, you deserve kudos for this generation of young women you are guiding into adulthood. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of them in the past couple of days!

—Betsy Appleby
   Camp Mom, photographer and former camper

Thinking about tonight’s evening activity, I realized it’s been years since this session has had a chance to experience it. Other sessions have been luckier in the past couple of years, but not our full second session girls. I’m referring to the dance with Camp Carolina. There’s a long history of these camp dances where the boys from CCB and the girls from RBC get together for the evening for dances, but since the 2020 pandemic closures, we’ve been fighting contagious diseases off and on. We’ve scheduled camp dances since then, but things keep popping up that force us to cancel. It might have been pink eye, or strep throat, or some other virus, but it’s been a while when both camps were healthy enough to mix and mingle. For these second session girls, the last camp dance they had was in 2019!

Needless to say, the screams of excitement where deafening when we announced that we’d be having a dance tonight. We surprised everyone with the news at dinner and explained that we’d be loading up the buses in 20 minutes. Waiting until the last minute like this cuts down on the time we might spend getting ready. Still, it was funny to see the Senior girls sprinting across the hill toward their cabins to try and sneak in a quick shower. The counselors did a great job keeping things silly by dressing in costumes instead of “dressing up.” These camp dances are far from being serious. Even so, the girls had their hair brushed and were somehow able to find clean clothes to wear. The boys looked sharp too.

Long ago we realized that splitting the girls and boys into two simultaneous dances, one for the younger and another for the older children, was a good idea. This way only half of each camp needs to be transported. We drove the older girls over to Camp Carolina and they drove their young boys to Rockbrook. Both dances happened in the gyms at each camp.

The music at both dances was a mix of familiar pop songs and well-known group dances. Some of these are so popular you can count on them being played, like the “Cha Cha Slide,” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” for example. Also, for some reason the techno song “Sandstorm,” from 2001 seems to always appear. We also heard Taylor Swift and ABBA, which isn’t too surprising, as well as “Party Rock” and “Party in the USA.”

The dancing for the younger kids was impressively varied compared to the older girls who mostly jumped up and down with a hand raised in the air. Clustered together, the whole crowd would jump to match the beat of the music. We saw a long conga line at the Rockbrook dance, and plenty of chatting and laughing as each new song came on.

With coolers of water and cookies available to recharge everyone, both dances kept up an impressive pace for more than hour of excited bopping about. Everyone seemed a little surprised how fast the time flew by when we announced it was time for the girls to head back to RBC and the boys back to CCB. We were all a little sweaty by the end, but I think most agreed that the dance was “really fun.” A classic camp evening out.

If you’ve been to a summer camp in this areas of western North Carolina in, say, the last 50 years or so, there’s a good chance you’ve been to Sliding Rock. It’s that “iconic,” as the kids like to say these days. Tonight, our Middler-age campers and their counselors got their turn to join this long tradition of visiting “Slock” (another example of Rockbrook lingo that combines words)… “Slock is so iconic!” But what is Sliding Rock and why does it continue to be a highlight for so many camp kids?

Sliding Rock is a natural water slide formed by Looking Glass Creek as it flows over a sloping hill of exposed granite. It’s located a short drive from camp along US Highway 276 south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The creek cascades down about 60 feet over natural mounds and curves in the rock creating small pockets of whitewater along the way. At the bottom is a pool about 6-8 feet deep, providing an ideal splash down area for the ride.

Over the last few years, Sliding Rock has become so popular with the public, the Forest Service has begun charging $5 per person to enter the area during the day. On a typical summer day, the parking area fills, forcing some people to be sadly turned away. Camps, however, hold permits to use the area after hours. We still pay a use fee to do that, but we can bring a big group of girls, our own lifeguards and equipment, and that allows us to ensure a safe and uniquely Rockbrook experience.

When we arrived tonight, all 6 buses of excited girls unloaded, dressed in their swimsuits and water shoes, towels clutched tightly or slung over their shoulders. The lifeguards positioned themselves at different points below and a few counselors stood at the top of the rock to help the girls begin their slide. The excitement built as the girls made their way up along the handrail on the side, and soon turned thrilling as they stepped out into the stream and sat down in the water for their turn to slide. Like all of the mountain streams in this part of NC, the temperature of the water is refreshingly chilly. Some describe it as “freezing,” but I think that adds to the fun.

You can imagine, there’s a lot of wide-eyed screaming as the girls pushed off, accelerating down the smooth rock towards the splash landing. As they twisted, spun and sometimes made silly poses while sliding, they were having a great time. Many girls pinched their nose at the last second before the plunge at the bottom. They popped back up out of the water, and the lifeguards helped them scoot back in line for another turn sliding. The thrill of it all was undeniable.

We encourage the girls to slide in pairs, doubling the fun. They hold hands at the top slinging each other a bit as they slide. We also bring lifejackets for the girls who are not strong swimmers on their own. We want to give everyone a chance to slide if they want to.

It’s also great fun to watch pairs of campers slide. Those waiting their turn or watching from the top observation deck cheered on their friends, belting out camp songs, clapping and enjoying the infectious energy of the evening.

Eventually, it became too dark to keep sliding for the night, so we loaded up for out trip back to camp (with a stop at Dolly’s along the way!). Going to Sliding Rock has become a true Rockbrook tradition. It’s so simple, such a classic camp experience, and such guaranteed fun, we love doing it. It’s the kind of experience you remember and cherish your whole life. I think our Middlers tonight would agree!

What happens if Barbie goes to summer camp? Well, today we found out! It was a day of regular camp activities, but with a decidedly pink twist, as we unveiled a costume theme for the day. Today was Barbie Day!

It’s no surprise that we love to dress up at Rockbrook. We love how dressing in some kind of costume injects a little silliness into whatever we’re doing. When we bring together costume elements— just the right shorts, maybe a wig, and a few props like a hat or goofy glasses for example —we enjoy changing things up and being creative. Dressing up allows us to imagine being another character, taking on their mannerisms and stylings. A theme like this points us all in a certain direction (all things Barbie in this case!) yet at the same time creates enough space for individualized improvisation. When this many people dress up together, it’s phenomenal.

This was another theme that the campers knew about before arriving at camp, so they were prepared! Even when they arrived for breakfast, many campers and staff members were already dressed in their best Barbie pink outfits and fabulous accessories. This might have been pajamas, pink sunglasses, or just a pink t-shirt. As you know, Barbie took on many different professions over the years, and this was true at camp today too. We had a Cowboy Barbie, a Spring Bouquet Barbie, and Astronaut Barbie, a Rockstar Barbie, a 50s Barbie, a Yoga Barbie, and a Publicity Tour Barbie who was distributing autographs all day long.

Everyone became a Barbie of some sort today. All it took was a little pink and a confident, carefree attitude, both of which are ingredients easily found at Rockbrook. Throughout the day we started adding “Hi, Barbie!” to our conversations and greetings as someone passed by. We would also ask, “what Barbie are you?” and wait to hear about her amazing talent. Tennis Barbie, Tetherball Barbie, Movie Star Barbie, Painter Barbie —these are just a few.

It turns out Barbie is a very accomplished equestrienne, a great rock climber, and weaver. She loves to do tricks off the diving board, throw clay on the potter’s wheel, and shoot archery. She’s a very good singer too, especially around so many of her equally fabulous friends. Who knew? Here at Rockbrook, that’s not too surprising. These Barbies are strong!

A bubbling Barbie positivity elevated our whole day. When dinner arrived the campers where excited to find the dining hall decorated with pink tablecloths and flowers. There were Barbie-themed temporary tattoos for everyone, and special pink candy treats on every table. Along with our lasagna, bread, salad and grapes for dinner, the baker made pink lemonade bars for dessert. The Hi-Ups led everyone singing a few songs from the Barbie movie.

A group of our younger Barbies finished up their day by hiking up to the top of Castle Rock to catch a bit of the mountain view before sunset. This is a steep hike up a challenging trail that ends at the rock face above camp. It winds through old mountain laurel and rhododendron bushes eventually breaking out into a fantastic overlook. The girls and their counselors sat carefully on the rock admiring the distant mountains for a few minutes before heading back down to camp before it got too dark.

I was a great day at camp, life in a “dreamworld” we might say, proving again that “we girls can do anything!” True, very true.

Today was another cheerful and busy morning at Rockbrook, even more so than usual because we welcomed the campers attending the second of our July Mini sessions. This is the day when new friends arrive to join the full session girls who are already here at camp. The girls arriving seemed excited and bubbling with anticipation. They’ve been waiting for this day for months and now it had finally arrived. Younger sisters were joining older siblings. Alumnae were dropping of their daughters for the first time, and girls who had never been to camp before were getting their first in-person look at Rockbrook.

The drive-thru check-in process ran smoothly, with most families only waiting a short while to make their way through the stations. Thank you for your patience! As families drove up and around the lake in camp, they were greeted by counselors jumping and cheering, adding to the upbeat atmosphere.

Of course, with the excitement, there were also a few nervous faces among the girls arriving. It’s entirely normal to feel a bit of nervousness at the start, even for returning campers. Ordinarily these jitters fade fast once we get started doing things together. That’s why we launch right into an assembly on the hill filled with songs and skits, then a great lunch of comfort-food mac-n-cheese (homemade, of course), and a chance to cool off at the lake with the “swim demos.” The new cabin groups took camp tours, had cabin meetings, and visited the camp store to pick up pre-purchased items.

The morning for the full-session girls started with their regular Sunday of raising the flag and gathering for Chapel. The Senior campers led a program on the theme of “Laughter,” emphasizing how camp life is filled with laughter. “These are the people who make me laugh the most,” one Senior put it. Camp friends are just like that.

Our afternoon event gathered everyone on the Carrier House lawn for a camp-wide Renaissance fair. The campers knew this would be a theme for their session so many came prepared with amazing costumes for the event. Colorful long princess dresses, flower crowns and ribbons, fairy wings, and tiaras were most popular. The fair was a whirlwind of activity where campers could flit between different activities, games, and projects all happening at once.

One tent had campers making flower crowns, while another offered fairy hair, parchment calligraphy, or face painting. Another area of “Tomfoolery” invited girls to try juggling beanbags, ribbon dancing and hula hooping. A mysterious fortune teller named Madam Brunhilde wandered among the girls offering cryptic advice to those brave enough to ask.

We also played games: a burlap sack race, a water balloon toss, and a table shuffle game with goblets. Each game awarded small prizes for playing. Another game sent campers on a treasure hunt looking for golden coins hidden along a forest path. Finding enough coins won a lollipop prize.

What’s a festival without music and food too? So to complete the event we played Medieval-infused music, a playful twist on modern tunes, throughout the event. For snacks, a “Wench’s Tavern” served warm soft pretzels and kettle corn. With all this to do, everyone enjoyed an afternoon of fun, Renaissance style. It was a great way to open up the new session.

Finally, we want to offer a cautionary comment in the aftermath of the recent political violence witnessed by our country, the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a campaign rally. Shocking news events like this that occur in the outside world rarely have much relevance here at camp. For this reason, we generally do not report these sorts of troubling realities to the girls at camp. We’ve found that it’s better to allow Rockbrook to remain a refuge from the concerns that mark adult lives in the broader world.

Similarly, we hope you will be careful when writing to your camper about unsettling news items, even refrain from doing so. We know it’s tempting to let your girls know what’s going on in the world and what’s on your mind, but camp life, the child-centered world of Rockbrook, is happily separate from most of that. We are enjoying the fun and friendship of camp unburdened by the troubles in the news. Camp is a haven. Thank you for helping us keep it well.