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May 3, 2013December 1, 2023 • Counselors • Sofie Ehlinger

Thanks!

Stephen Wallace’s article Always Thank the Bus Driver featured in the American Camping Magazine’s May/June 2011 issue inspired our plans for this weekend. Wallace claims that camp teaches us to “thank the bus driver”. It’s all about appreciation and gratitude. Why wait for camp to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude?

This weekend, let’s appreciate this wonderful life that we are living by giving thanks! Here’s a few suggestions how:

1. No Mirrors

Challenge yourself to go through the weekend without looking in a mirror. You’ll have more time to thank your body for all it does and less time to analyze everything you’d like to “change” or “improve” about it. Your body allows you to jump, sing, clap, dance, and play! Let’s appreciate it!

2. Stop, Drop, and Roll

This famous fire safety tip works well to cultivate our sense of gratitude. When you have a quiet moment this weekend, Stop what you’re doing for a moment. Drop all the thoughts and to-do lists running through your mind. Roll through all the people you know. Who has gone out of their way to help you recently? I bet the list is longer than you might have guessed. Thank goodness for all the people who care for us! And for staff, there camp counselor resources are a great reminder.

3. Both Sides Now

The famous Joni Mitchell song Both Sides Now is a beautiful example of perspective. The song begins with Mitchell singing about clouds. In her younger years, Mitchell’s imagination saw angel’s hair and ice cream cones in the shapes formed by the sky. In adulthood, Mitchell was annoyed by clouds. They snowed and rained and got in the way of her plans. It’s so easy to let life lose it’s luster. With a subtle shift in perspective, life doesn’t have to seem quite so tough.

4. Share Yourself with the World

The word “donate” is not necessarily synonymous with the word “money”. Giving of ourselves can enhance our appreciation of not only what we have but who we are. What do you share to the world? Are you a great listener? A fabulous joke teller? A beautiful singer? An excellent gardener? Your talents are your gifts- give them away this weekend. And as a superstar camp counselor!

5. Look Up, Down, Sideways, and Byways

There’s a whole world out there to explore! Look beyond yourself and leave no stone un-turned.

6. Overestimate

“Overestimate” people’s abilities and capacity for compassion and they will rise to the occasion. At camp we say, it’s way more fun to think the best of people!

Let this Saturday be better than your Friday and worse than you Sunday. With a little effort and practice, camp life and regular life can just keep getting better and better.

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April 12, 2013July 21, 2020 • Counselors • Sofie Ehlinger

Lesson Learned

We do a lot for our campers. We support, foster, develop, create, smile, love, sing, dance, model, and encourage everyday each summer. Our camp job is unique and fabulous. For all the elbow grease you put into your job as a counselor, your campers will do just as much (and sometimes more!) for you.

A (Very!) Short List of Lessons Learned From Campers:

1. It’s okay if someone rains on your parade.

Both in the literal and figural sense, our campers help us learn how to make the most of life. It’s raining? What a great time to put on your bright yellow boots and splash in the puddles! Your friend woke up in a grumpy mood? All the more reason to tell her a silly joke!

2. Life is way more fun if you don’t take yourself so seriously.

Your campers are the perfect example that a healthy dose of laughter and a nap can change the world.

3. Why wait?

Life is short so go for it! If you blink your eyes, the moment may be gone (or it may be closing day).

4. Turn it off!

You don’t need a cellphone, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to be happy. A real thumbs up is much more satisfying than a virtual one.

5. Turn it on!

Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Who better to share your talents with than a group of six-year-olds?

6. Failure is the fun part.

In school, in general, there’s little room to fail. At camp, you have 250 acres to “fail”! You won’t be good at everything you do, and thank goodness. Wouldn’t that be boring?!?

7. Start small.

We are constantly getting overwhelmed. This project is too big, I can’t start it. The race is too long, I

can’t run it. I don’t have a lot money, I can’t donate any. Campers tend to take things bite by bite which makes the world much easier to swallow.

8. Everyone is special.

Campers recognize this. We tend to forget.

9. It’s best to start each day excited for what’s to come.

How refreshing! Our campers typically align with Winnie the Pooh’s feelings, “‘What day is it?’ asked Pooh. ‘It’s today,’ squealed Piglet. ‘My favorite day,’ said Pooh.”

10. There’s always a reason to celebrate.

I think the Kid President said it best, “Give the world a reason to dance.” Rockbrook girls know how to celebrate life!

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April 10, 2013July 17, 2024 • Summer Camp • rbc

A Mission that Matters

Camp is fun. There are shaving cream fights, muffin breaks, kayaking trips, Dolly’s visits, hiking overnights, funny skits, and so much more. However, camp is about way more than just the fun. The entire Rockbrook experience is meant to matter in very meaningful ways. It is about building character traits that will help us later in life— confidence, independence, individuality. It is about being with nature. Camp is about making friends who last. The spontaneity, the adventure, the laughter and the FUN found at camp will stay with us long after we leave the Heart of the Wooded Mountain.

At Rockbrook, our mission is:

To provide a haven for girls, a place of their own, where they can explore the beauty of nature, try new things, enjoy carefree summer living, and make some of their very best friends.

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March 15, 2013May 26, 2020 • Counselors • Sofie Ehlinger

Camper Health and Beauty Tips

Fun Camp Tips for Girls — Dear Rockbrook Girl

If you’ve ever read any of those swanky health and fitness or fashion magazines, you are most certainly familiar with the health and beauty tips that leap out at you from the pages: “torch calories”, “create the perfect pout with your lipstick”, “dress for your body type”.

Although you probably won’t find these on any newsstands or runways in the near future, the health and beauty tips you learn working at summer camp are way more fun than any we’ve ever read in a magazine. (Not to mention that they outlast all the trends!) Here’s how we imagine a Rockbrook girl’s advice column about how to look beautiful and live beautifully might read:

Dear Rockbrook Girl,
I’d like to improve my look, but I don’t know where to start. Any suggestions?
-From: Confused about make-up
Dear Confused about Make-Up,
Great question! Well, lucky for you, I know a quick way to perk up your look. SMILE! Your face will automatically shine and shimmer; your complexion instantly brightened!
-Rockbrook Girl

Dear Rockbrook Girl,
I’m preparing for a very big event. I’ve picked out an outfit and I know what shoes I’m going to wear, but I cannot figure out what to do with my hair! HELP!
-From: All dressed up and no hair to go
Dear All Dressed Up,
Hmmmm. This is a tough one. Now you’re probably referring to a red carpet affair or a party as a “big event”, but I think that we can make a big event out of anything: brushing our teeth, writing a letter, wading in a creek. My general rule thumb about hair is to keep it simple. Dry it naturally, don’t use any product, and if it ever gets in your eyes as you’re exploring, throw those tresses in a ponytail!
-Rockbrook Girl

Dear Rockbrook Girl,
What are the hottest fashion trends for this summer?
-From: Wardrobe Warrior
Dear Wardrobe Warrior,
Keeping up with the trends can be difficult, but have no fear. This summer it looks like fashion is going to be easy and breezy. Any clothes that you can play, jump, and climb in should serve you well. Popular items in 2013 will be water shoes, one-piece bathing suits, worn-in T-shirts, and whities with a red tie.
-A Rockbrook Girl

Dear Rockbrook Girl,
I am looking for a new regimen for my skin? Any tips on how to achieve a clear complexion?
-From: Comfortable in my own skin
Dear Comfortable,
What you need is a mixture of dirt, lake water, sweat, and shaving cream. Ta Da! Happy skin from your head to your toes.
-Rockbrook Girl

For many more health and beauty tips, apply to work at camp TODAY!

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March 14, 2013May 25, 2020 • News • Charlotte Page

Surprise for Mr. Potter

Although Rockbrook has offered pottery since the 1950’s, it really took off in the 1980’s when John and Sybil Dodson aka “Mr. and Mrs. Potter” began their work at Rockbrook. They created a fabulous program and helped build our first pottery studio, located down in the old garage of The Rockbrook House. For over 20 summers the Dodson’s taught legions of Rockbrook girls the art of hand building, wheel throwing and glazing. If you were a camper during that time you probably also remember the petting zoo down at pottery! Mr. Dodson would often bring a goat or a chicken as artistic inspiration. When we hear from former campers and staff they often talk about Mr. and Mrs. Potter as some of their favorite camp leaders.

In addition to working at Rockbrook, Mr. and Mrs. Dodson had their own pottery shop. Mud Dabbers Pottery and Crafts was located in the Old Distillery Building on the Rockbrook property. It did not take long for them to outgrow their original shop with all of their amazing pottery, so they moved Mud Dabbers down the street to the Old Powell Store, where it is currently located. It is quite an amazing shop, filled with the work of over 20 artists. It is still a destination location for many people who journey up the mountain just to visit Mud Dabbers!

So, In honor of Mr. Dodson and all of his amazing work with so many people over the years, his family and friends are organizing a memory book for him for his upcoming birthday. If you have a memory of Mr. Potter that you would like to share for this special tribute, please write Shannon at: srood31@hotmail.com. Deadline for submissions is Memorial Day. We love you Mr. Potter!

Rockbrook Camp Office and Mud Dabbers Pottery, 1997

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March 13, 2013May 25, 2020 • Archery • rbc

Rockbrook’s Katniss

One of the most appealing things about Rockbrook is the opportunity to try new things. Many times you’ll be able to try activities that you wouldn’t be able to do at home for one reason or another. For example, you may want to learn how to roll a kayak, but you don’t have one at home. Try it at camp. You may have always wanted to climb a rock, but who has access to a rock face and a professionally trained outdoors crew on a regular basis? Climb one (or two, or three) at camp. You get the idea — camp is the perfect place to try new things!

This could be the reason that one of the most appreciated Rockbrook activities is archery. Who has the resources/equipment to try an activity like archery on their own? Not many, that’s for sure. For years, Archery has been one of the most sought after activities at camp. That esteem has only increased thanks to the fact that the most celebrated book-turned-movie series out right now is The Hunger Games, a story in which the main character, Katniss Everdeen, is depicted as an underdog, then champion, then heroine. And, as we all know by now, the skill that sets Katniss apart from the rest — she’s a magician with a bow and arrow. Katniss with a bow and arrow is like Michael Jordan with the basketball as time expires during the playoffs: GOLDEN. So, it’s only fitting that archery’s popularity as an activity at camp has soared. Suddenly we find ourselves thinking: I want to be like Katniss.

This is where Rockbrook and Katniss collide. Longtime Rockbrook girl, Marston, decided early on that archery was one of her favorite activities at camp. It didn’t take us long to see how much Marston enjoyed archery, and bullseye after bullseye proved that she was pretty good at it too. Besides loving archery, Marston’s also a pretty big Hunger Games fan. Check out the photos below of Marston, on the left, and Katniss, on the right. I’m no expert when it comes to archery technique, but I think Katniss could take a few tips from Marston. Such focus, such form!

So Marston’s a super archer and she likes The Hunger Games. Cool coincidence? Here’s another awesome addition to the saga: Jennifer Lawrence, the Oscar award winning actress who plays Katniss, seems pretty hip by any standards, and Marston met her!!!!!!!!!!!! Exciting, huh? Archery, Katniss, Marston, and Rockbrook all coming together. I wonder if Jennifer got any good shooting tips from Marston? Maybe the two can set up a meeting on the range. I have my money on the Rockbrook girl, our very own version of Katniss!

Martson and Jennifer Lawrence pow-wowing on the red carpet.

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March 8, 2013January 5, 2021 • Counselors • Sofie Ehlinger

A Nod (and a shake) to the Oscars

Rockbrook, as most of you already know, is a noncompetitive camp. We believe that the “award” takes places within the experience, not in the trophy, medal, or certificate given after the fact. In that frame of mind, we thought, what if our camp gave awards? What would they be? Who would receive them? Certainly not best short camper or best supporting camper, and absolutely not best animated camper. When placed in the context of real life, these awards don’t even make sense. They just seem silly.

One of the many benefits of a camp job is that it negates the effects of Hollywood on our youth. A girl’s value is not attached to her looks (thanks goodness we all don’t look like a Barbie Doll!). It’s admirable to be studious, a team player, confident, a good friend. Not to mention, “who are you wearing?”. If you’re living it up at camp, by the end of the day you’ll have grass stains, mud, and dribbles of ice cream all over your clothes. Who are you wearing, more like what are you wearing?! In a world of screens full of high speed car chases, short skirts, and competition, isn’t it wonderful that we can take a pause this summer? We can engage in healthy, happy, fun-loving times that we experience rather than fictionalized images that we watch.

So leave the Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys to Hollywood. We’ll just be having the time of our lives over here!

And the award goes to… every Rockbrook Girl who was, is, and ever will be.

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March 5, 2013December 11, 2022 • History • Charlotte Page

The Amazing “Jerky”

In the stories and history of Rockbrook, perhaps no one is more legendary than former counselor and director Ellen Hume Jervey. Fondly known as “Jerky”, she was an institution at Rockbrook for over 40 years. Jerky grew up in Charleston, SC (just an interesting side note, Jerky lived next door to The Verner Gallery, the art gallery of Elizabeth O’Neill Verner, another memorable Rockbrooker). She began her Rockbrook career as a counselor in the 1920’s. After college, Jerky was the Physical Education Director at Hood College, but she continued to work at Rockbrook for the summer. In the 1940’s Jerky became a Director at Rockbrook and continued working at camp through the 1960’s. She lived in Charleston, SC during the school year where she taught at Ashley Hall, a private girls school. She is referred to by many of our alumna as one of the most influential people in their lives.

One of the most shared stories about Jerky is that during WWII she was commissioned as an officer with the US Naval Reserves! Rockbrook closed for the summers during the war and many women became involved in the war effort. None more so than Jerky! We have searched high and low for more information about it and were thrilled to find the following article from a Charleston, SC Newspaper.

The WAVEs (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) division of the Naval Reserve consisted entirely of women. From the very beginning, the WAVES was an official part of the Navy, and its members held the same rank and ratings as male personnel. The first commissioned female officer in the Navy was the commander of the WAVES, and she was commissioned in August, 1942. You can see from the article that Jerky was not far behind, being commissioned in December. We are not sure how long Jerky served, but will continue our research to find out more about her time in the Navy. You can see just one of the reasons why she was an amazing role model and mentor to so many Rockbrook women.

Stay tuned for more Jerky stories! If you have any you would like to share we would love to hear from you!

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March 1, 2013May 26, 2020 • Counselors • Sofie Ehlinger

Freaky Friday: The Great Switcheroo

Most of us have seen the movie Freaky Friday (starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan). Through some mysterious circumstances, mom and daughter suddenly switch places! Mom lives in her daughter’s body and finds herself navigating through the social and academic world of high school. Meanwhile, daughter finds herself juggling a career, kids, and everything that comes along with “the real world.” Needless to say, this mix up brings mom and daughter closer together than ever!

At Rockbrook, we thought it might be fun if we switch your day as a college student with your day as a camp counselor. This change up comes with some very kooky surprises!

Mornings as a college student:
-Alarms
-Hair dryers
-Quiet conversations over croissants and coffee
-Wearing your fancy jewelry

Morning as a camp counselor:
-Rising bells
-Pony tails
-Singing at the top of your lungs over eggs and bacon
-Wearing your friendship bracelets and name tag

Afternoons as a college student:
-Naps
-Study groups
-Thesis writing
-English, political science, math, history…

Afternoons as a camp counselor:
-Naps (well, that one is the same)
-Swims in the lake
-Writing letters home
-Kayaking, crafts, hiking, drama, dance…

Evenings as college student:
– Studying
– Logging onto Facebook with your roommate
– Telling your friend “Happy Birthday” over email
– Trying to stay awake so you can study

Evenings as a camp counselor:
– French braiding
– Exploring logs for bugs and creepy crawleys with a group of 6-year-ols
– Celebrating everyone’s birthday with cake, costumes, and presents at Birthday Night
– Trying to stop laughing so you can finish your dessert

Nights as a college student:
– Requesting that your roommate to turn down the music so you can read
– Pop Tarts before bed
– Falling asleep to the sounds of your roommate snoring

Nights as a camp counselor:
– Requesting that your co-counselor to turn up the music for the dance party!
– Milk and cookies before bed
– Falling asleep to the sound of a crickets, streams, a gentle rain on the roof

We hope you make the great switcheroo with us this summer!

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