Camp High Rocks sits at an elevation of 3000 feet in the midst of 1100 acres of camp-owned mountain woodland, with an 11 acre lake, and miles of hiking and biking trails. Founded in 1958, High Rocks remains dedicated to providing a caring, challenging, and noncompetitive outdoor experience for boys. Campers come from all over the southeastern United States; many return year after year for the wide range of activities offered and for the supportive environment they find here.

The strength of High Rocks lies in its staff: in each counselor's unique talents and personality, and in an expression of these through the combined effort of the staff working together. We are looking for a team of caring people who will share thoughts with each other, try new approaches, support one another, and who are willing to be creative, energetic, responsible, and patient as they lead by example.

Each counselor shares in various responsibilities: being aware of camper safety, organizing activities in camp and on trips out of camp, teaching specific skills, and supporting the campers' growth. Male counselors live in a cabin with 5 or 6 boys, ages 8- 16. We act not only as teachers, but as friends, role models, and at times "parents." There is a lot of hard work involved, but the joy felt and the personal encouragement received from helping a child grow and mature is unmatched. It is a great experience to become a part of the High Rocks family.

High Rocks does expect a lot. We want all staff members to make being with campers their top priority. As campers mature and grow, they will look to us for guidance, both directly given and subtly exposed. With this in mind, we want staff that offer themselves as natural, caring people, willing to listen to campers and to each other, willing to take time and to care for another individual. 

Our program offers instruction that caters to each camper's individual level. Campers choose their activities and progress at their own pace. Counselors provide basic and advanced instruction in one or several of our 14 activity areas:

English Hunt Seat Riding  Swimming   Sailing  Canoeing  Mountain Biking  Riflery Fishing
Archery  Crafts  Tennis  Athletics  Soccer  Hiking and Backpacking  Rock Climbing

Our basic philosophy...

Camp High Rocks was founded on four key principles:

concern for the individual's unique growth and needs

creation of an environment that de-emphasizes competition

development of an atmosphere encouraging personal confidence, self-esteem, and a willingness to try something new

encouragement of a deeper awareness of those that share our environment (both nature and people.)

We pursue these principles through all our interactions with the campers. At High Rocks, we feel that camp offers an opportunity to continue a child's education in an environment focused on personal growth. In each activity, we would like our campers to experience a progression of skill and knowledge. We believe that skill progression develops the physical agility and mental acumen that will last long beyond the mere 2, 3 or 4 weeks of a session. The mastering of these skills contributes to enjoyment and competence, as well as develops self-esteem and confidence. In addition, we believe it is important for campers also to see the rationale behind our methods of instruction. Our goal is to help the individual child gain skills and perspectives which will give insight into the bigger issues in life. What a camper learns at camp can help him acquire more important skills outside of camp: self-discipline, self-direction, and shared responsibility.

Supporting this focus on the individual, we attempt to de-emphasize competition between people. Successfully mastering a skill does not bring a ribbon or "point," but rather a chance to learn more, to improve that skill, and to enjoy an experience which utilizes even greater expertise. Our efforts are to create an atmosphere which lets a child know that improvement and success are up to him, and will come as a result of his own efforts, not from having beaten someone else. One might view that the main person for a camper to challenge is who he was the previous day. 

From the parents...

" I want my son to have counselors who really care and who take time to show that they care. I know the impact a counselor can have on a young boy and I know that most of this impact will be through the example the counselors set when they think no one is watching. Caring, a kind word, a walk up the steps with one camper can really make a lasting impression."

-Former camper and counselor, now parent.

-A returning camper's mother.

-A new camper's father.

The work is hard, tiring, and at times frustrating. It is also thought-provoking, and immensely satisfying. While our focus is on campers, we intend that the staff, too, will come away from their experience having grown in ways they never expected, and having had great fun with a group of relaxed, friendly people.

" The strongest team is one where each individual's unique talent is uncovered and encouraged. Our top priority is creating an environment where this can occur. "

-Hank Birdsong, Director of High Rocks