An asterisk (*) before the name indicates a previous High Rocks staff member or camper.

*Townsend Birdsong - Born and raised at camp (her parents built and ran High Rocks for the first 30 years), Townsend has camping in her blood. A graduate of UNC- Greensboro in Nursing, she has chosen horseback riding as her specialty. 1999 marks the twelfth summer the Birdsongs have directed High Rocks.

Lauryn Best- Having ridden horses for over ten years, Lauren enjoys sharing her skills at High Rocks. She attends Michigan State University where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Lauryn has recently completed the American Riding Instructors Association certification.

Betsy Bowman- An avid mountain biker and backpacker, Betsy is a ropes course facilitator this summer. A rising senior at S.U.N.Y. Courtland, Betsy is majoring in Outdoor Recreation. Among her many interests is soccer. She has played for 14 years and was on a women's team in Poland!

*Judah Bugel Judah spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons on our canoeing and kayaking staff. This year we are lucky enough to have him using his impressive culinary skills in the camp kitchen.

*Brad Carter - A UT-Knoxville graduate in theater, Brad is looking towards a career in outdoor education. This year will be Brad's fifth on the High Rocks staff. He serves as a head counselor this summer. Brad is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and is quite a rock climber. He has climbed extensively throughout the U.S., with ascents of Yosemite's El Capitan and Washington's Column on multiple occasions.

Tim Carter- A rising senior at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tim's interests include Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking- talents he is sharing this summer at High Rocks. Tim has a great love of the outdoors and an enthusiasm about nature that is infectious. Tim's musical abilities enliven our daily assemblies; he is quite a guitar player. We are fortunate to have Tim at High Rocks this summer.

Ryan Chasse- Ryan has just completed his sophomore year at Brevard College studying Wilderness Leadership. Ryan is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Ryan spends a great deal of time in the outdoors and enjoys biking tours which have taken him across the country. When he is not on a mountain bike, Ryan can be found helping out on the ropes course here at camp.

*Vera Cohen - Returning for her fourth summer as a camp cook, Vera comes to us from Charleston, South Carolina. She has many years of experience with children. Most recently, she worked with the Charleston County Parks and Rec. summer lunch program. It's great to have her back again this year.

Barbara Collie- This is Barb's first summer on staff, though as Hank's sister she has been around here a good deal. In addition to working in the crafts area, she has the daunting task of caring for staff members' children who are too young to be campers.

Justin Collmann- This is Justin’s first year at High Rocks. He has spent a great deal of time volunteering with at risk kids in his community and thoroughly enjoys the time he spends with them. Justin is studying philosophy at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Justin enjoys teaching canoeing and kayaking here at camp and can always be counted on for his quick sense of humor.

*Katie Crawford- Katie, a rising senior at Clemson University, is back with us for a second year on our waterfront staff. Prior to working at High Rocks, Katie had lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons for five years. Her constant smile is a welcome sight around camp. When away from the waterfront, Katie joins just about any group that is kicking around a soccer ball!

*Chris Curtin- Returning for his fourth summer at High Rocks, Chris is heading our rock climbing program this summer. Chris is an avid mountain biker as well as a climber. His climbing feats include several routes in Yosemite Valley, including an ascent of Half Dome. Chris brings a passion for outdoor education to our ranks. He loves seeing a camper's skills and confidence grow.

David Dasher- David is a former camper at High Rocks and has come to join us for his first year as a staff member. He has just finished his junior year at UNC- Chapel Hill and is preparing to apply to Medical school. David has spent many summers teaching tennis lessons in Charlotte and brings his skills to our courts this summer. David is also leading hiking trips this summer.

*Stuart Dodson- Stuart has been a fixture at High Rocks since 1991 when he joined us on the swimming staff. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Stuart will be heading our Ropes Course this summer.

Peter Elstner- Peter comes to us from Virginia where he studies biology at the College of William and Mary. He has spent the last few summers working for the national park service as a park guide. Peter has brought a wealth of knowledge to our hiking and backpacking program.

*Tracie Epes - In her third year at High Rocks, we are very happy to have Tracie's energy in Arts and Crafts. She brings with her an accomplished educational background, including a masters degree in Counseling (Child and Youth Focus) from UNC Greensboro. Tracie heads up the Arts and Crafts program this year.

*Jim Fox - A year-round staff member, Jim has brought a multitude of talents to High Rocks for the past six years. He is skilled in canoeing, rockclimbing, ropes courses and mountain biking. His vast experience from Western Carolina University's outdoor program, ranging from biking to paddling to climbing, has been an invaluable source of ideas and experience. Jim compliments his outdoor educational skills with newly developed skills of carpentry and handy work. This summer Jim heads up mountain biking.

*Matthew Gardner - Matthew is a local resident of Brevard and will be joining us for his third year on our Maintenance Staff. Matthew is a talented musician and has a great personality. We are excited to have him with us again.

*Terrell Garrard - Terrell is one of those steady camp folk; we count on her year after year for her humor, her love of working with kids, and her relaxed nature. She'll head up our riding program during the four-week July session. Taking time out from her life down in Madison, Ga., Terrell began coming to Camp as a camper in 1958- the first year of camp.

Jim Garrison- A former High Rocks camper, Jim has come back for another summer at camp. Jim has finished his sophomore year at Georgia Tech where he is studying Aerospace Engineering. Jim has been working with some more simplified crafts here at camp with instructing sailing, archery and riflery.

Ryan Gaunt- A rising Sophomore, Ryan majors in Wilderness Education at Brevard College, just eight miles form camp. His interests at camp include mountain biking and rock climbing.

*Don Gentle – Now in his sixth year at High Rocks, Don will be heads up our canoeing program. Don has multiple layers of experience that he continues to offer camp, ranging from his experiences working with a therapeutic camp to his well-developed skills in paddling and climbing to his articulate organizational skills in trip preparation and group programming. His background includes a Master’s degree from Ohio Univ. in physical education with a recreational studies focus.

*Harold Gertner – Harold is vintage High Rocks. He began attending High Rocks as a camper in 1987 and has returned all but two summers since! A graduate of the University of the South, Harold instructs canoeing, C-1, and kayaking at High Rocks. He is a certified American Canoe Association whitewater instructor and also received his Wilderness First Responder certification. In addition to his paddling skills, Harold adds a contagious enthusiasm to camp that has made him one of the favorite counselors!

Julie Gilbert- Julie has come all the way from Nova Scotia to join us this summer at High Rocks. Julie enjoys participating and teaching a variety of sports. She is very comfortable kicking a ball around on the soccer field. Julie is also instructing in Arts and Crafts this summer. Julie’s enthusiasm and energy is contagious here at camp.

Steve Golob- A rising Sophomore at the University of Maryland, Steve will be on the rock climbing staff this summer. He is pursuing a degree in education when he isn't busy hiking or climbing.

*Leland Grant- Leland has spent several years at High Rocks as a camper and will be returning this summer as a Counselor Trainee (CT). Leland comes to High Rocks from the tidewater area of Virginia.

Dan Greenwald- A children's ski instructor at Taos Ski Valley in the winter, Dan is on our rock climbing staff this summer. Dan is a recent graduate of Fort Lewis College.

*Elizabeth "Zoob" Griffith - Zoob is another of our year-round staff members. She serves as an Assistant Director taking on the challenging job of staff recruiting during the winter. This summer Zoob is serving again as the camp's Program Director. She is a longtime High Rocks family member with years of experience working with kids and staff and it is wonderful to have her skills on a year around basis! This will be Zoob's seventh year making it twelve years of having a Griffith family member on staff. The Griffith Dynasty continues to live on!

*Craig Hay- Craig has been away from High Rocks for a few years, but spent several years previously as a camper and will be returning this summer as a Counselor Trainee (CT). Craig lives in nearby Asheville NC.

*Travis Herbert - Travis, originally from Pennsylvania, is a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, having majored in Outdoor Education. Travis is the most recent addition to the High Rocks year-round staff team. This summer he is a head counselor and helps out with the climbing program. Travis has had past experience leading hiking trips for the Eastern Mountain Sports clinic series and is an avid rock climber. He recently completed a climb of "Leaning Tower" in Yosemite, spending two nights on the rock in the process!

*Eric Hinesley - A junior at Texas A&M studying business, Eric is returning to High Rocks for a second summer. This summer Eric will be heading up our athletics area.

*Jennifer Hinton - This is the second year that Jennifer has been in the office. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Recreation Therapy at Clemson University and is currently writing her dissertation.

Katie Hornowski- Katie's family lives on a small farm in Western North Carolina where she has three horses. As a member of our riding staff, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm about horses with High Rocks campers. She attends UNC-Chapel Hill.

*Danny Howell - Danny hails from Utah and has joined us for his second summer. He is currently attending UVSC with a major in criminal justice. He has spent a lot of time outdoors with his family and friends. During his free time, he competes in mountain biking and snowboarding.

Grant Irons- Grant comes to us from Texas A&M, where he is in his first year of graduate school studying Outdoor Education. He has a wide range of outdoor experiences and will be heading up our Hiking and Backpacking program. He is very interested in continuing his learning about leading people in the outdoors.

*Fran Jackson - Fran first came to High Rocks in 1966 as a hiking and climbing counselor, and she certainly knows the local terrain well. With an MA degree in education, for the last eight years she has taught fifth grade in the Washington, D.C. area public schools.

*Elise Kafsky - Returning for her second summer, Elise comes to us from Ohio University where she completed her Bachelors degree majoring in Therapeutic Recreation. She has extensive experience in aquatics, paddling, and children. Elise is heading up our waterfront and assisting with the paddling program.

*Robert Lamb- Rob has been a camper with us for several years ('88-'94) and is now returning to share his experiences with a new generation of campers. He is currently a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill and works in our hiking and backpacking program. Rob has a great sense of humor and comes to us with a wide range of experience, including a year abroad in Norway and a summer length Peace Corps program in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador.

*Kelly Large - Kelly, bringing two of her children, serves High Rocks again as camp nurse. Kelly, a cousin of Townsend Birdsong, attended High Rocks as a child and has been a member of our staff for four years.

*Anna Matthews - Anna is enjoying her second summer on the riding staff here, but she has been around longer, since she is Hank and Townsend's niece. During the school year she is an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

*Bet Matthews - For over a decade now Bet has been working at High Rocks during the summer in the craft shop, kitchen, and office. When not at camp, Bet teaches kindergarten near Winston-Salem.

*David Matthews – David has been an integral part of the crafts program for years, drives many trips, and helps keep the place in working order. During the year, he teaches high school and coaches basketball.

*Sumner McCallie - Sumner first came to High Rocks as a camper years ago, growing up here and becoming in turn an experienced staff member in both the canoeing and hiking program, which he has also headed. Sumner has worked here year- round and been an assistant director. Having a BA from Yale and an MA in Education from Vanderbilt, he now spends his non-High Rocks time teaching at McCallie School in Chattanooga.

*Brian McGuire- Brian has been a longtime camper here at High Rocks; this will be Brian's eleventh summer. He will return this year to participate in our Counselor Trainee program. Brian has a unique advantage of being able to relate with the campers from his own personal experience here at camp.

*Lorraine McNamara - Back for her eleventh year in a row, Lorraine joins us for our four-week session as our resident camp nurse. She has become, for many of us, our Mom away from home...watching and taking care of us. It is wonderful to have her back once again! During the year, she works at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC as a critical care nurse.

Zach Miller- Zach is a first year student at Pomona College. He comes to us with a lot of decked boat whitewater experience both out West and here in the East. Zach is instructing canoe and kayaking in our paddling program this summer. His love for the outdoors comes from many trips with his parents who are both geologists.

Anahita Moderesi- Anahita has just completed her first year at Brevard College just down the road. She is instructing swimming and pottery here at camp. Anahita is very talented musically and often we hear her beautiful music pouring from the lodge's piano.

Justin Moman- Justin is joining us for his first summer at High Rocks. He has just completed his sophomore year at Brevard College where he is studying Wilderness Leadership. Justin enjoys a variety of activities in the outdoors and is focusing on rock climbing this summer at camp. Justin is one of a great group that has joined us from Brevard College.

*Pam Mooney - Pam is back for her second summer working in the camp kitchen. When not helping feed us, she works as a detention officer with the Transylvania County Sheriff's Department.

*Dan Noland - A Ph.D. teaching English and linguistics at UNC-Wilmington, Dan will be back for his 27th summer. A brother-in-law to Townsend, Dan has been an integral part of shaping camp's philosophy and activities over the years.

*Scott Park- After taking a summer off, Scott returns to the High Rocks climbing staff during the three-week session.

Keri Piling- Keri continues a long line of horseback riding instructors from Randolph-Macon Women's College. Her horseback experience includes riding for over half her life, teaching riding lessons, and competing.

*Michael Powell- We are happy to have Michael returning for his third year at camp. After two summers on our hiking staff, Michael will be making a change and work on our climbing staff this summer. He carries a contagious love of life and enjoyment of what ever he is doing!

*Aaron Power- Coming back for a third year, Aaron teaches pottery and crafts. Since his last summer at camp Aaron has served in the Peace Corps, based in The Gambia, Africa.

John Rippy- John is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He instructs Backpacking and Archery this summer. John has done a lot of personal backpacking trips as well as a 23-day Outward Bound course. He would like to pass on what he has learned through his personal experiences backpacking to others.

Joe Rivers- Joe is a graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in Environmental Design. He has many years of paddling experience both personally and professionally. Joe wants to transfer what he has learned on to the campers and to share his passion of the sport. He will be instructing in our paddling program this summer.

*Martin Schmidt - Another one of the long-timers, Martin returns for his 33rd (or so!) summer to help as assistant/program director for the four week session. Currently, he teaches physics, astronomy, and geology at the McDonough School in Maryland.

Andrea Smith- Andrea is spending her first summer with us here at High Rocks. She works for a therapeutic riding program in Charleston, SC. Andrea brings a great deal of knowledge to our horseback riding program.

Andrew Sorenson- Andrew has come to High Rocks this summer from Canada. Andrew has the distinction of being our only pilot on staff this summer, a distinction he earned through his efforts with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. He is a second year student at Saint Mary’s University where he is studying global business. Andrew is instructing swimming and sailing this summer.

Jamie Stead- Jamie is heading up our pottery program this summer. He has had a lot of experience with pottery as well as a great deal of time on trails as an avid hiker. Jamie is a junior at Northern Arizona University where he studies anthropology and recreation management.

*David Sugerman – A former High Rocks camper, David has been on the hiking staff previously and is heading up the mountain biking area this summer. A recent graduate of Washington and Lee in Virginia, David will be entering medical school in August.

*Jillian Swaine- It is another summer down south for Jillian as she has returned for a second year. Jillian is pursuing a degree in recreation management at Acadia University in Nova Scotia. She is very excited about returning to work in the barn this summer.

*Gregory Terhune - Gregory returns to us from Ferris State University, where he is majoring in Recreation Leadership. He has worked the last few years as a youth coach in several sports and volunteered at an area day camp. Greg enjoys helping children and is excited about returning to High Rocks for a second summer. He works in our mountain biking program again this summer.

Tanya Tuttle- Tanya is a junior majoring in Outdoor Education at Georgia College and State University. Tanya has always had horseback riding as her passion and instructs riding at camp. She has worked at several horse farms to be able to ride more often.

*Cathy Thacker - A graduate of Averett College in Danville, VA with a major in equestrian studies, Cathy returns during the two week session for her sixth year on our riding staff. Cathy is currently working at a therapeutic riding program in Greensboro, NC.

*Helen Warren - Helen is a lifelong rider with a long history at High Rocks. She lives in Charleston and will be heading the riding program during the two-week session. She has had two children that attended camp, one of which also served on staff.

*Jim Warren- A long time camper here at High Rocks, Jim joins us for the four-week session as a Counselor Trainee (CT). Jim enjoys climbing whenever he can and riding his horse. Jim will graduate next year from Hendersonville High School.

*Kirk Wedekind - Kirk has come up through the ranks here, first as a camper, then a counselor-in-training, then assistant counselor, and this year as a full counselor. He teaches tennis, crafts and canoeing. He attends Wake Forest University.

Deborah Weldon- In her first year at High Rocks, Deborah serves as the office manager for camp. She is a student at Western Carolina University.

Michael Williams- Michael is a rising sophomore in Brevard College's Wilderness Leadership Program. He enjoys hiking, climbing, and the outdoors. Mike has a wonderful personality and enjoys teaching people what he knows. He will be working in our hiking and climbing areas this summer.

*Ellen Willson- Ellen joins our horseback riding program for a second summer. She is currently a rising senior at Randolph-Macon Woman's College studying English. Ellen's constant smile is a welcome sight around camp- we are happy to have her!