It was a perfect morning to say goodbye to our Mini I campers and parents. We wrapped up assembly with a big send-off as they all made their way back to their cabins. Zoob and I were able to greet every family as they arrived. The boys were excited to see their parents but didn't want to leave. I wasRead More »

In what is becoming a normal pattern this July, the morning was bright, clear, and lightly cool at the wakeup bell. Cinnamon toast, oatmeal, fruit, cereal, eggs, and sausage launched us into our day and camp was off! A Green river trip was first out the door with a mixed group of canoers and new kayakers. Mountain bikers were notRead More »

Today was another busy one with all sorts of excitement. The weather has been steady in the low 80s for most of the week. It’s warm enough to want to swim and not too hot to feel awful when the activity is a little more intense. Today we had a two-day climb head out to a cool area in Virginia.Read More »

After a day like yesterday, with such extravagant displays of patriotic enthusiasms from dawn to dusk, it was no surprise that this morning began on a quieter note... It could hardly have done otherwise, but begin it did with biscuits, sausage, eggs, grits, fruits, and a comfort in restored routine. Though a calm day by camp standards, it still includedRead More »

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 of a marshmallow and pizza sauceRead More »

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 heading out on tripsRead More »

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 »