Author: Don Gentle

HeadingStill Crushing It! Mondays always start with a bang.  It’s like the beginning of a horse race as all these “trip-eager” boys who were all stuck on our 1000-acre facility all weekend feel like they need to get out and do something. I know, it sounds awful being “stuck” here! Anyhow, we tend to have… Continue reading Still Crushing It!

Taking A Break 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… Continue reading Taking a Break

Pancake Saturday I love Saturdays at High Rocks!  In the 29 (now my 30th) summers I have been here, there have always been pancakes on Saturday. It’s just what we do.  Our Chef Lee makes the recipe in one of those giant Hobart floor mixers and always uses real eggs and real buttermilk.  It does… Continue reading Pancake Saturday

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