The
Directors:
Hank Birdsong
- With over twenty-five years of experience working with children
in camp settings and with outdoor programs, at Outward Bound and Discovery,
Hank provides camp with a rich background of knowledge and technical
skill. Currently, Hank serves on the national accreditation council
for the Association of Experiential Education. A UNC- Chapel Hill
graduate with a degree in Recreational Administration, Hank enjoys
soccer and rock climbing. Past climbing ascents include El Capitan
(twice), Liberty Cap and Half Dome in Yosemite.
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, horseback riding
is her specialty. The year 2002 marks the fifteenth summer the
Birdsong's have directed High Rocks.
Year
Round Staff:
|
Mark, Townsend,
Hank and Benjamin Birdsong
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| Corey
Black - Corey is a Program Coordinator during the spring and fall,
where he assists directing the off-season school programs with Don.
During the summer Corey is Head Counselor. He has extensive experience
with children in outdoor and classroom settings. Corey is a graduate
of Appalachian State University in Recreation Management. His interest
in climbing and backpacking have taken him to all four corners of
the United States, while his banjo picking keeps him in Western North
Carolina. Corey and his wife Joy, a local Realtor, are wonderful additions
to the High Rocks family. |
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| Chris
Curtin - Chris works year-round as head of maintenance . In addition,
Chris is an avid mountain biker and climber. He is a great resource
for camp and offers leadership in those programs during the summer. |
 |
| Don Gentle
- Now in his eighth year, Don is the head of the canoeing program.
Don's multiple layers of experience offer camp a variety of resources,
ranging from experiences working for a therapeutic camp, to his well-developed
skills in paddling and climbing. His ability to articulate organizational
skills in trip preparation and group programming are a solid asset
to the High Rock's program.. He holds a Master’s degree from Ohio
University in Physical Education with a Recreational studies focus. |
 |
| Elizabeth
"Zoob" Griffith- Now in her ninth year, Zoob is responsible for
the demanding position of summer program director. She coordinates
staff recruiting during the winter months. Zoob is a longtime
High Rocks family member with years of experience working with children
and staff. This will be over a decade of having a Griffith family
member on staff every year. The Griffith Dynasty continues.
It is wonderful to have her skills on a year around basis. |
 |
| Angela
Gryder - In her third year, Angela is the Office Manager. During
the winter she helps with several website projects. In her spare time,
she enjoys family hikes, traveling with her husband Bill and their
four-year old son, John David, who you will likely see playing and
enjoying camp. |
 |
| Bill
Gryder - Bill joined High Rocks full-time in 2000 as Kitchen Manager,
we have already been enjoying many of his wonderful creations. After
the task of feeding numerous campers, staff, and training groups,
Bill assists with the maintenance of camp in the winter. In previous
years as a staff member he assisted campers in activities such as
riflery, archery, and climbing, which he still enjoys in his free
time. |
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