Author: Don Gentle

As you can imagine, most of these mini men were likely up well before the bell as they ambitiously waited for the sun to come up and the day to begin. Once they settle into the expedition of camp, the long eventful days create less of the early wake-up. Starting with morning wake-up at 7:45 am,… Continue reading Morning Wake-Up!

I want to welcome all our Mini II families to our nightly gathering and give you some information about what to expect ahead. Some nights will have more than others, but my hope is to give you a sense of what we did today and maybe (probably) some lessons along the way.  It is so… Continue reading Welcome Mini II Campers!

Another fantastic Sunday at camp.  We kicked the day off with some self-reliance of getting all of your cabin’s laundry bagged up and loaded in the van before breakfast. Not a small task for a group of adolescent boys. After a wonderful breakfast, and a little music, Zoob lead our morning by the lake with… Continue reading A Relaxing Sunday

What a perfect day to say goodbye to our Mini I guys. It seems like they just got here yesterday. We had a big send-off at assembly this morning while all the boys cheered for our Mini I guys as they made the most of their last morning.  The morning drop-off went very smooth and… Continue reading Mini I Close and Halfway Saturday

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the tropical system moved past us overnight.  While we had a touch of rain this morning, it turned out to be a typical summer day here at The Rocks.  We did need a little rain, so the overnight pouring was perfect!  Trips out of camp again today were… Continue reading Such A Great Day

Wednesday had a big start once again this morning.  We had a climbing trip head out early again.  Two different groups hit the French Broad in canoes today. Mountain biking hit DuPont.  And, we had a day hike up Rick Mountain.  The boys are certainly hitting their groove. Life at High Rocks is about being… Continue reading The Sweet Spot

I am sure it will rain soon, but the last couple of days have been pure heaven up here at the High Rocks!  Once again today, the sun was shining, and the breeze was blowing just enough to keep the sailboats moving. The tripping program was in full force today! We had boys heading to Looking… Continue reading Flying Colors

After all the excitement yesterday, it was almost calming to start a “normal” day.  On my way up to the early “meeting of the minds.” I enjoyed the peacefulness of camp that many do not see.  Still quiet, the morning mist rising as the sun warms the land… A wonderful blue sky as the sun… Continue reading Back to “Just Camp”

Today started with a bang, or should I say a guitar.  Jimmy Hendrix belted out the Star Spangled Banner for wake-up.  It has been a tradition for a number of years here at High Rocks. It was a fun treat for the boys coming back fresh from their cabin overnights. When I say fresh, it is sort… Continue reading Freedom Day 2021!

Our first week was a little different this year if you were a returning camper.  The boys rotated with their cabin having an opportunity at ALL the activities three different times this week. While it probably not what they expected, it certainly turned out to be a worthwhile event.  WE felt it was important to… Continue reading Just What We Needed

It sure was another wonderful day here at “The Rocks.”  I have been a little busy lately putting some final touches on our ACA Accreditation.  This is a once every five-year event that requires a lot of upfront work in regards to written documentation and procedures.  All of this is already in place, but it… Continue reading The 1100 Acre Wood

I know I say it a lot, but I really enjoy the morning at High Rocks. I start my day typically just past 6 am. My dog Barley and the coffee pot are typically my first two interactions of the day. I enjoy sitting on the deck listening to the peace while Barley enjoys his… Continue reading Mountain Mornings