Back to the “Land of the Noonday Sun!”

July 12, 2011 by

Pictures from July 12, 2011  (password required)

Rock Hop in Pisgah National Forest

I love being a camp director.  Over the last few days I’ve been involved in several high energy four-square games during free time, played my annual tennis game in the camper-counselor tennis turnament (my partner & I were dispatched in a quick set), and watched campers building skills and having fun in their chosen activities.  As I visited cabins during rest hour yesterday it was unusually calm and quiet on senior hill.  Those campers that were not on trips were taking advantage of their down time to recharge a bit.

Out-of-camp trips are now in full swing.  Today we have seven special events going on, including a trip to the Nantahala River for the first time in quite a while.  Even though High Rocks has been paddling on the Nantahala since the early 1960’s we have been “locked out” for a few years since only a very limited number of outfitters have been granted permits.  It is unfortunate that camps that teach skills and were pioneers on the river have been pushed aside in favor of rafting companies.  The Forest Service has finally seen fit to allow camps to paddle the river again.  The Nantahala runs through a valley that is so deep, lightning has never struck the floor of the valley!  The Cherokee word “Nantahala” means the “Land of the Noonday Sun.”

The 3-day hike for middlers and upper middlers is on their second day of their trip & day trips are out climbing, mountain biking, caving, fishing, & canoeing.  The girls from Keystone Camp visited this afternoon for some coed tennis and soccer.  The active day culminates for many of our horseback riders with an evening ride.  As amazing as these trips were today, each day for the rest of the session is as jam-packed with adventure!

Tonight’s evening activities:

  • “Juniors”– (Hillside, Connestee, & Holiday IV) are at the soccer field
  • “Middlers”– (Lakeside & Foxhollow) are having fun at the waterfront with “Canoe Fill-ups” 
  • “Upper Middlers” – (Flattop, Chalet & Holiday I) are heading off the waterslide and rope swing.
  • “Seniors” – (Windswept & Outpost) are on the athletic field.
  • “Upper Seniors” – (Lookout, Halfway, Pinnacle) are at the cabin field.

Enjoy the pictures from today!

Hank Birdsong
Camp Director

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