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.  We give the boys an extra thirty minutes to sleep in on Sundays and we also share some important lessons down by the lake. Today was a perfect Sunday morning! Our firstRead More »

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 was a wonderfulRead More »

It is hard to believe that its already Friday of the session’s first week. It is typically about this time that campers have acquired both their sea-legs and the routine. The acceleration into camp life is a blast and a challenge at the same time. Few of our guys come into a session living at the pace that camp moves!Read More »

Another great day here at The Rocks! We had the usual early climbers up this morning to head out to Pilot Rock. They even helped out with the bell ringing this morning. We also had two young Mini camper groups of paddlers hit some moving water for the first time. Finally, the mountain bikers took a quick trip with someRead More »

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 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. In the past, most days IRead More »

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.  I really enjoy the mornings at camp.   I almost feel like camp should start even earlier, but I amRead More »

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 call it "brochure" weather or a "Chamber Day." It's where the weather is nearly perfect and the scene is amazing. A light breeze, sunshine, blue skies with a few wispy clouds,Read More »

Here’s to another wonderful session and a great June!  When you meet up with your son tomorrow, I can’t guarantee he will have all the paint from the end game washed off. And given the rain, even after some last-minute laundry, it is likely that everything is wet. What I can tell you is that he has had a great timeRead More »

It sure has been a crazy few days. As a camp director, it is these days that help challenge us to bring the best. We took the weather in stride, adjusted a few events to create some fun, and just embraced being at camp. We still had a couple of trips out today. In camp, we added some more opportunitiesRead More »

After all those days of crystal clear weather, today reminded us that we indeed live on the edge of a temperate rain forest. The bell rang true through the early downpour and the lure of hot breakfast was strong as camp gathered for eggs, sausage, coffee cake, and some of the best grits I remember recently. Down to the gymRead More »

It's nice to see everyone back into the groove as we begin the last week of the session. There we a few trips out today with a bunch more headed out tomorrow. These last few days of the session always bring out some excitement as many boys are working on their skills. Paddling and shooting sports tend to be someRead More »

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 see that assembly was a high-energyRead More »

First, let me apologize for the lack of pictures last night. An error stopped the upload process and since things were moving so smoothly, I had forgotten to check to be sure all was good. Anyhow, I was finally alerted about the issue and I had them all uploaded by mid-morning. Don't forget to check them out. Saturday morning atRead More »

Though breezy and cool this morning in what has become the norm, the day felt like it was heating up quickly. The routine clicked into place as soon as that bell tolled. It is amazing the feel of the place when everyone knows what their roles are in different parts of the day, and how to do them! Heading intoRead More »

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 75 degrees today.  While that may seem cool to some of you, it isRead More »

It was another mountain morning up t 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.  I feel likeRead More »

With another cool morning to kick off our camp day, the weather luck keeps rolling as the bell brought camp alive. Blue skies with very few wispy clouds were overhead and a tasty breakfast awaited the hungry camp horde as it rolled in. Don and I were commenting today at how natural a place we find the dining hall inRead More »

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! Crafts moved from rockets to tie-dye.  I feel like they even wrapped that up todayRead More »

I love Sunday mornings at High Rocks! This morning was a particularly wonderful morning. A cool breeze, sun, and I get to sleep in a little bit later than 6:30 am.  Although I still woke up early, it felt a little more restful since I did not have to rush off to my morning meeting and the wake-up bell comesRead More »

This particular Saturday had all sorts of good stuff going on.  Each activity pulled out some of the most awesome Saturday events today.  It was really incredible to see all the learning, laughing, and even some launching!!! (See what I did there :)). The day started out at a chilly 47 degrees! You will see a lot of sweatshirts inRead More »