Sundays are special here at High Rocks. We want to be sure the boys have some time for reflection and to change it up a little bit. Rest is important. For our four week guys, it is important to understand that this session is an expedition. There is plenty of time to take it all in and an enjoy. You have to pace yourself. We give the boys an extra thirty minutes to sleep in on Sundays and we also share some important lessons down by the lake. Today was a perfect Sunday morning!
Our first agenda item of the day, however, was laundry. The boys all work together to get their items sorted into three bags, then they are asked to all work together to get those items off to the back side of the dining hall where the laundry is picked up. It’s certainly not something you add to your brochure, but these little steps at camp really help build some independence, accountability, and even empathy. I love watching the guys work together to get these sizable bags from their cabins and off to the pick-up point. In a flash, it’s all back to camp clean, dry, and folded before dinner. Head staff deliver it back to the cabins just in time for the 5:00 shower hour.
After breakfast, we typically have a little moment down by the lake. What a beautiful time to take in the beauty around us and appreciate all of our gifts. I kicked off the first week by hitting up the boys about Community and one of our Compass points, Respect. I followed that with a little understanding about what is going on in their cabin and in other groups they are part of this month. Group development is hard and it’s great if you can add a little explanation as to why we are acting the way we do in our cabin groups, for example. I tried to add some humor and focus. It was a great moment… I hope they got some of it…
The rest of the morning was presented with all sorts of choice period activities and events. Camp looked alive all over the campus with guys playing disc golf, swimming, canoeing, some games of gaga and four square happening, and some tennis matches I also enjoyed the guys just relaxing in the chair down by the lake with a book.
This morning was also the kick-off for the Annual Biscuit Disc Golf Tournament. Many guys were pairing up with other competitors and taking advantage of a shotgun start to make use of the whole course this morning. Two-person camper teams unless they are in age groups one and two, then they can select a counselor. It’s a captains choice/scramble play so everyone gets to pick the best lie of the the two throws. This will continue weekly until the end of the session. There is a two-week and four-week division.
Check out this catch from this morning’s fishing freetime. Pretty good for this lake I would say.
Deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains lies the hidden realm of the Gnome Kingdom, ruled by the mischievous and mighty Woody the Gnome King. For centuries, the gnomes have lived quietly among mossy stones and twisted roots… but now, they’re ready for more.
You see, the gnomes have grown restless. They’re looking to expand their empire—and rumor has it there’s a magical place full of energy, laughter, and… socks.
That’s right. The gnomes have discovered Camp High Rocks.
Their scouts crept in, poking through bunks and crawling under cabins, only to find socks—hundreds of them—forgotten, mismatched, and mysteriously smelly. To the gnomes, this could mean only one thing: this camp is rich in power, mischief, and potential. And so, the Gnome King made a daring declaration:
“If we can beat the campers of High Rocks in a series of ancient gnome trials, the camp shall be ours!”
This was the intro to this afternoon game of fun as the boys worked through challenges to add marks to their bingo cards. Challenges like Dirty Sock Rock Soup Count, The Gnome Riddler, Battle the Bridge Gnomes, Gnome Caverns, and King of the Gnome Hill. The boys had a blast and enjoyed all the challenges with prizes and popsicles along the way.
Our typical Sunday dinner cookout on the lawn was also perfect. I watched the boys eat pounds of all-beef hot dogs and 1/3 lb Angus burgers. Our grill master, Lee, did a great job of serving it up right.
After dinner, we all headed up to “Campfire Hill” for our weekly gathering around the fire. We sang some slower songs, listened to a story, talked about the week ahead, handed out our three-year High Rocks Flags, and then finished with a thought shared by a counselor. It sure was a great day!
Our Mini I guys only have five days until pick-up! It’s hard to believe it is going that fast!
Have a great night!
-Don Gentle
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