Nashville and the Camp Family

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

The camp connection is a great thing, the community and the friends that you make over the years that follows you around and comes up at the most random times. I was never in a fraternity in college, but I feel that Rockmont is the real brotherhood I am a part of.

When I was in Nashville last Thursday for a camper show (a big thank you to Marian Eidson for hosting!) I walked out to meet a dad, and lo and behold it was Graham Locke, a long time Rockmonter, my 1st counselor (cabin 11 in 1994), and now the man to see in Nashville if you need a root canal (Apex Endodontics). So it was great to see him and catch up, he’s hoping to send his son Ben to Rockmont for the first time this year.

My first summer was a great time for me, I had never been away from home for that length of time, had never been in a living environment with 11 other boys I didn’t know, and of course the crucial part is the counselors. I had a blast, doing many things I had never done before, and some I haven’t since (shearing sheep in homesteading anyone?). But there were struggles, some homesickness, but hey, most things worth going through have some struggles right? Graham and Carl (with an assist from Stevie) did a great work in helping me along, talking with me, and keeping me active for those 2 weeks. At the end, it was a great experience, loads of fun, and my life was changed. What a great opportunity to go through those challenges in a caring community that would help and push me through, and that it didn’t happen during my freshman year of college, haha!
Current staff, let this also be a reminder to you of the great and exciting potential you have to impact another person’s life for the better. Being energetic, engaged, and caring during your camper’s sessions can make their experience!

My wife Morgan and I have been on the road constantly for the past 6 weeks, holding 15 camper showings, and logging over 6000 miles in the Prius. Everywhere we go, we are welcomed by great camp families who are excited about sharing their lives and the story of Rockmont with us and their friends. It’s incredibly humbling and heartwarming to see the people who have chosen to  make Rockmont a part of their family story.

So thanks again, let’s continue to bless those around us in the many ways that God has blessed our lives. See you on the road!

Thomasville and Dothan - Small Towns, Big Shows

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Life on the road continues as we make our way through Georgia and Alabama, telling the Rockmont story! Monday brought us to Thomasville, GA and the home of the Beverly’s. Charnie, Max, Max. We had our biggest showing of the year so far, with 13 boys there! The energy was great, everybody had lots of good questions, and the spinach dip was delicious. Morgan and I enjoyed getting to know everyone and talk about Rockmont.

Tuesday we made our way over to Dothan, AL to talk with families at the Ivey house, and talk we did. Families came in shifts, which allowed for smaller groups to talk with, and also allowed me to watch the DVD 3 times in 2 hours, I almost have it memorized now. The Ivey’s were great hosts, Elizabeth is a Hollymont veteran with years as a camper and on staff. Amy Lewallen from Hollymont was also there to tell the Hollymont story to any girls that came over, it is a great camp for girls, check it out! (Hollymont.com) Watson has been to camp for a few years now, but Douglas will be coming to Rockmont for the first time next year, and Brackin still has a few years left to go!

Here are a few pictures from the shows, we head to Tallahassee today!

See you soon!

The Rockmont Road Warriors

September at the Rockmont Farm

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

With the help of students from The Learning Community, Karen, Dan, Josie and Micah Davis, Morgan and Matt Ragland, Hap Endler, and Jon McNair, we cut our first sorghum crop last week.

Sunday morning before dawn Hap, Jon and a trailer full of sorghum cane headed up to Yancey County to the farm of friends Molly and Richard (and three year old Walker). Sending the cane through a mill that is more than one hundred years old yielded more than 60 gallons of cane juice! We then spent the next 5 hours cooking it down over a wood burning fire and telling stories of life on the farm. After a long day of good work, good food and good times, we drove back to Black Mountain that night with 8 gallons of our best (and first) batch of tasty molasses!

Office Life

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Now, I’m sure many of you are wondering what off-season life is like here at Rockmont… well, the weather is beautiful, the people are fun, and we’re working hard! So its a lot like the summer. For a look in to the method of madness used by Matt, here’s a look at his office and some more common things found at an arm’s length

Kings of the Road

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Here are some pictures from our travels so far, keep checking back!