Daily Schedule
Activity choices are made by the camper, with enough structure and counselor guidance to offer security yet enough freedom to allow for creativity and self-direction. A camper may choose as many activities as can be fitted into the schedule; a minimum of five are required and are attended regularly unless a trip or extended activity occurs, such as a three-day hike, a canoe trip, or a morning spent rock climbing. We consider skills important contributors to competence in and enjoyment of an activity, as well as to personal development of self-direction, teamwork, and shared responsibility. The child learns to make a choice, then a commitment, and finally experiences the fulfillment of achievement.
Although competitive fun is a part of High Rocks in such activities as tennis and soccer, competition is not used as a motivator and is not emphasized in the learning process. The test of a camp is its success with individual children, and here success is available as a result of individual effort, not as a result of being better than someone else. We give no ribbons or medals for such titles as “best camper” or “best rider.” Instead, we reward an individual’s effort and skill progression with more challenging and exciting experiences within the activity.
A Typical Day at Camp
Fixed points of the day are rising time and bedtime, meals, and rest hour after lunch. A day’s schedule:
- 7:45 Rising Bell
- 8:15 Breakfast
- 9:00 Assembly
- 9:30 to 12:30 Activities
- 1:00 Lunch
- 1:45 to 2:45 Rest Hour
- 3:00 to 6:00 Activities
- 6:15 Dinner
- 7:15 to 8:15 Evening Program
- 8:15 Snack
- 9:30 Lights Out
The Age Group
Camp is divided into age-group units within which many activities and special programs take place. For each age-group there is a Head Counselor whose responsibilities include planning programs appropriate for that particular age. He also supervises the activities of each child, both in and apart from the age-group, to insure that the level of activity is within the capacity of the child.