Author: Don Gentle

It’s All About the Lesson The flow of camp is already in full force.  Boys are heading out on trips, learning new skills, and making this summer at High Rocks THEIR experience. I hope you have enjoyed some of the pictures showing all the instruction going on here at High Rocks.  These boys are really… Continue reading It’s All About the Lesson

Waikiki Wednesday I know the four-week parents have heard this a bit, but I love the mornings here at High Rocks! The cool air in the 60s (63 to be exact) each morning is what does it the most. I must be honest the calm and quiet that is the morning might be a little… Continue reading Waikiki Wednesday

Get Ready to Adventure I enjoyed the first glance of the lake this morning as the sun flickered in the slightly rippling water with a few water bugs here and there that looked like rain drops.  I enjoyed an early morning up at the camp house with some coffee and a couple of leftover biscuits… Continue reading Get Ready to Adventure

July Sessions Opening Day I love opening day! For me, I am just as excited to see the parents as I am to see the campers. It sure was a wonderful morning. I enjoy meeting new families and connecting with old friends as well. After over 30 years here at High Rocks, I am even… Continue reading July Sessions Opening Day

Last Day and Final Campfire Here’s to another wonderful session and a great June!  When you meet up with your son tomorrow, I can’t guarantee he has a clean shirt left. What I can tell you is that he has had a great time and he is tired. While he may be excited to see… Continue reading Final Campfire

Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night It was another sunny and warm day today.  The breeze kept it tolerable as the last of the trips were heading out this morning.  Boys headed over to the Nantahala River for paddling. The climbers took off to The Nose of Looking Glass Rock in Pisgah.  Mountain biking and… Continue reading Upper Senior Dinner and Cabin Night

We Love Mondays I sure had a wonderful Monday.  I was able to lead a boy of mountain bikers this morning.  I really like taking moments like that where a guy my age gets to show these boys he still has a little steam left in the engine.  We headed over to Dupont State Forest. … Continue reading We Love Mondays

Upper Senior Challenge Sunday It was another fantastic Sunday here at High Rocks!  After a much-needed sleep-in, the boys worked hard to get their laundry up to the lot before breakfast. We had a great meal including scratch-made cinnamon rolls, then a little bounce-around time in assembly before heading down to the lake for our… Continue reading Upper Senior Challenge Sunday

Square Dance Saturday Saturday morning at High Rocks means pancakes and it has for almost 60 years. Certainly, every Saturday I have been here in the summer we have had pancakes. Over the last few years, we have even gone old-school and moved back to the made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes. In the past, I used to… Continue reading Square Dance Saturday

Jersday Thursday Again Life is good on the mountain!  Not only do we enjoy all the wonderful views, cool mornings, a passing shower, and even wonderful sunsets.  Mountain life has many advantages. Especially, life at 3000 feet.  This morning it was a cool 50 degrees.  We got to about 78 degrees today.  Our elevation allows… Continue reading Jersday Thursday Again

Over The Hump It was another mountain morning up at High Rocks! Life at 3000 feet sure feels different.  I really enjoy the cool mornings. I think it makes it feel like camp.  Put on a cozy sweatshirt and by the end of breakfast, it’s down to the tee shirt.  Really, the June session campers… Continue reading Over The Hump

Best of Times Our Monday started off with a bang as climbing, paddling, and mountain biking had trips out the door early this morning. After a nice rain late last night, the blue skies and wonderful breeze all day long made for a great start to the week! The June Mini guys headed right into… Continue reading Best of Times