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High Rocks Alum Spotlight: Dalton Langdon

Whether you went to camp last summer or 50 years ago, High Rocks is your community! Our strong alumni community is built of former campers, staff, parents of campers, and volunteers. It is a community doing impactful, positive work outside of camp! A community carrying on the lessons and skills learned at camp through their lives. We are starting a new spotlight series highlighting alumni throughout our years and what they are up to now. Interested in being spotlighted or want to nominate someone doing good work? Email Darby at office@highrocks.com.

Here is our first spotlight from alum, Dalton Langdon.

Dalton is a former staff member who worked Summer 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022! Though we believe he has made an appearance almost every year from 2015 by working our Father-Son Weekends. His work last summer as an Age Group Director supporting our cabin staff was immensely valuable. He was a listening ear, a guiding hand, and added support wherever needed.

He currently lives in Raleigh and is in Graduate School pursuing a masters in Landscape Architecture. Another High Rocks alum had the same Graduate School plans! Kathleen Elliot is also in Raleigh. Both help each other study, work on projects, and muddle through homework together. High Rocks connections in the real world! Now, let’s get to our questions:

What do you miss most about camp?

The shared sense of camaraderie and Nate’s key lime pie bars! (Yum!)

What is one of your favorite Camp High Rocks memories?

Leading the goofiest group of 11-12 year olds on a three-day hike in Panthertown. (Want to learn more about Panthertown? Check out their trails and website here.)

What advice would you give an incoming staff or camper?

Rest while you can and take advantage of the ability to disconnect for the summer.

How has your time at Camp High Rocks impacted choices you have made in your life?

My time at High Rocks taught me the importance of a supportive community and how fun it is to work with like minded energetic people. Camp taught me it was okay to be goofy and caring and that there isn’t just one way to be a leader. My time in the outdoors teaching children about plants and the natural environment sparked my decision to go back to grad school and pursue a degree in landscape architecture.

What are one or two of your proudest moments post camp that your time at High Rocks played a role in?

1. Making the decision to follow a career path that was outdoor focused.
2. Being a camp counselor helped me to develop my advising/mentorship style when I worked in career advising.

How did camp make you be brave?

Camp became a sudo-home for me at times – it was a safe place to retreat to when life got a little curvy. I know when I come to camp, in a way it is like returning home – the food is always great, the people are kind, and I can feel like a kid again. Having a place where you can anchor yourself like camp and recharge allows you to face every day a little bit braver.

Anything else to share?

All my love to kitchen staff!

Thank you, Dalton, for reminiscing on the good times and sharing with us! The best of luck in Grad School and we hope to see you a few times this summer.

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