Wonderful Wednesday It was another warm sunny day here at High Rocks. Trips were a little lighter today with mountain biking having two trips out and then the climbers also had a trip out.  Hikers and paddlers were in camp today. The big event of the day, was our senior rafting trip.  All of age group four headed out afterRead More »

A Day for the Lake Today was a hot and sunny one on the mountain. By the start of activities, it was clear that shady trees and water bottles were going to be key afternoon freetime ingredients. The continued dry weather also meant everyone hit the ground running from morning cleanup on. Trips were cruising out of camp all day. HikersRead More »

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 all sorts of boys headingRead More »

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 take it all in andRead More »

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 make a difference.  It wasRead More »

Independence Day It was great to see so many of the guys who brought festive items for the Independence Day celebration. The dining hall was covered with red, white, and blue.  We brought up our own basket of “flair” the guys to use as well. We belted out “freedom music” all morning.Independence Day is a great time to be atRead More »

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 learning a lot of new thingsRead More »

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 why I like it too.Read More »

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 that I heated up.  ARead More »

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 seeing my old campers thatRead More »

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 you, he is also thinkingRead More »

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 hiking were home today.Tonight, mostRead More »

Mountain Life is Good Today was clear, breezy, and warm to start the day. Though much of the East Coast is sweltering under temperatures much hotter than we get on the mountain, these couple of days have been notable. It has certainly made the lake a prime destination for activities and for free time options!Already out of camp this morningRead More »

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.  We are so lucky toRead More »

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 morning service. You will seeRead More »

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 help out with pancakes everyRead More »

Summer Solstice We are cranking into the second weekend of the session. I can’t believe we are already two weeks in! Time at camp passes in a funny way. Days seem like they go on forever while weeks flash by. Today is the summer solstice and what other way to spend the longest day of the year but squeezing everyRead More »

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 these reasonable temperatures to beRead More »

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 get the best of it. Read More »

Those Magical Camp Moments Today dawned bright and cool. A light breeze off the lake made that extra blanket feel good until the morning bell rousted camp from their beds. With the morning feeling so routine now, cabin crews worked efficiently through their morning chores and arrived to ready for breakfast. The schedule has become ingrained and meal times areRead More »