Way More Than Fun
August 6, 2019 by Don Gentle
It sure was another beautiful day in the mountains. It was 64 degrees this morning! The highs moved into the lower 80s just for a bit. We jumped right up and got ourselves moving. The kids are definitely in the groove these last few days of camp.
I tell parents that it’s not even fair sometimes. You can never be as cool as our staff. One of the key reasons all of this works is because our camp staff is admired so much by these boys. It gives the staff a precise advantage to handle all that comes their way because the boys want to stay on their good side. Adult mentors are an important part of every child’s life. The important part to remember is that these mentors cannot be their parents. It’s that need to impress and desire, and to please these mentors that make it work. It’s also the kind heart and the ability to expect a lot that adds to that dynamic. It’s a funny dynamic, but it sure is a whole lot more than soccer balls and canoes…
What makes camp amazing is not just the adventure program but the fact that we are doing all of this away from our parents. Of course, the activities are incredible, but the process, the journey of what we call camp, is where the jewel is found. While parents want to be the one to teach them everything, you can’t teach independence, you can only give it. It is something first to experience, then to meld and mold into what it really means. High Rocks is a great place to learn independence; from making a bed or making it to horseback riding on time. Independence is found all through the day. Research shows that if we do not allow our children to solve their own problems then our children will begin to believe that they can not. Part of coming to a place like High Rocks allows for the separation for our children to learn just enough independence that requires them to figure it out without mom and dad around.
Back to the awesomeness of today! We had a couple of High Rocks climbing trips head out today to our very own High Rocks boulders. What a great place to climb and it is only a short hike away! The boys really enjoy getting out on real rock. There are a whole lot more of those heading out this week.
Tomorrow a few guys will head out for a two-day backpacking trip in the forest. They are super excited about their adventure.
Tonight was another great adventure after dinner. First, our youngest guys were heading out for “chill night.” Windswept and Foxhollow were down for the nautical attack of canoe fill-ups at the docks. Flattop and Lakeside were ripping up some dodgeball in the gym. Chalet and Outpost were down at the waterslide and rope swing. Finally, the boys of Outpost and Sprucepine had some great games on the field.
We have a few more incredible days ahead! Stay tuned. There are still another 100 photos pushing up at 9:20pm tonight.
Have a great night!
Don