Author: Don Gentle

The boys are beginning to figure out the high-energy camp day. They even looked a little winded already this morning.  I think the constant movement and excitement of camp are set in a bit.  You see it in the morning wake-up process. The boys are not jumping out of bed as quickly as they did… Continue reading So Much Fun

As I walked around camp today, I enjoyed seeing all the learning happening. By design, these boys choose their own activities. They choose the path and how to walk it. Of course, there is guidance and some discussion from a mentor on opinions about how best to succeed. Ultimately, it is up to the individual… Continue reading We Get To Choose

I enjoyed hearing the first wake-up bell of the session ring this morning.  In recent years it has been immediately followed by an energetic “GOOD MORNING HIGH ROCKS.”  It’s been something of a modern tradition that has caught on over the years.  The most excited person lately has been Nate our Camp Chef and kitchen manager. … Continue reading Here Comes A Memory

It sure was a wonderful opening day of the season! I certainly enjoy meeting new families and reconnecting with so many of the boys that come back year after year. It was fantastic to jump into the summer with such a fantastic group of boys. I am so excited to share the wonder of what… Continue reading Welcome Two Week Campers

It was a wonderful finish to our July session today. We kicked off the day with our advanced horseback riders giving us a drill team show in the big ring.  The next big event was the final match of the counselor-camper tennis match. The final two camper-counselor pairs matched off while several campers and staff… Continue reading End Game and Final Campfire

It’s hard to believe that today was the last full day of activities.  There were still a few trips out today including a paddling trip to the Tuckaseegee and one more mountain biking trip to DuPont. We all had a great time with our cabinmates this evening.  Each cabin group picked different places in camp… Continue reading Cabin Night, Upper Senior Dinner, and Wishes!

It’s hard to believe we are hitting the last few days of the session here already.  I enjoyed seeing another group of trips out this morning including the Mini Men canoers making their first river trips down the French Broad.  My hope is that it is one of many in the future. There was another… Continue reading Wait! I’m Not Ready to Leave!

Mondays always start with a lot of excitement.  We had 6 trips out of camp today and 2 additional special events on the high ropes course. Rock Climbing had two trips out to our private High Rocks climbing area.  It’s so close, that we don’t even get in the van and the boys are finished… Continue reading Busiest Day Yet

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 enjoyed some of those scratch-made cinnamon rolls from Nate and the kitchen crew accompanied by scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh-cut fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals. We had a great meal, then a… Continue reading Upper Senior Challenge Sunday

It sure was another fantastic day! The morning kicked off with the time-honored tradition of pancakes and sausage. We sided with some home fries and boiled eggs and then fresh fruit, yogurt, and assorted cereals.  Today is the day I fill in for the photographer, so I am out and about all day long.  It’s… Continue reading Living in the Present

The cool morning brought a smokey-looking mist off the lake. I love these sorts of mornings in the mountains. It has been nice to see a slow drying of the air and some lower temperatures. It was only 57 degrees at 7 am this morning! The high did make it to 79, but the cool… Continue reading The Weekend

I was super excited to get up to the dining hall this morning. While I typically make it up there fairly early for our daily meeting, I wanted to be sure I caught some of the mini guys coming in from their cabin overnights. As luck would have it, I was even able to catch… Continue reading Good Morning High Rocks!