Archives for June, 2010
Monday, June 28th, 2010
The B Session opening was nearly picture perfect! While families are having trouble beating the heat in most parts of the southeast these days, Rockmont families found that there was nothing better than a ride down the Zip Line or a glide down the Gully Washer to do the trick. We often forget to publicize the fact that these ammenities are open to Mom’s and Dad’s and siblings when we open a session.
One of the reasons this group of families seemed so prepared for pre-camp fun is that Rockmont is in their roots. I was struck by the number of fathers that I spoke with were were once campers here… many while Dan and I were beginning our Rockmont careers in the early 80’s! James dropped his son (now a Jr.Counselor) off over the weekend and stayed to volunteer on opening day. Anthony appeared to have arrived wearing his bathing suit and had experienced the Zip Line and Gully Washer twice before his son had even met all of his cabin mates. Bothers, Paul and Scott (with three campers between their two families) paused to help us capture some of what the Rockmont legacy has meant to their family on video. Rick, with a CIT and a camper this session, did the same.
A favorite memory came as I was reminded by Kenneth, whose son is here for the first time from Texas, that I was his Archery instructor in 1983 when he achieved the highest possible rank in the Camp Archery Association as an American Archer! I vividly remember placing the archery target against the edge of the woods, setting out cones and flagging tape to keep people from walking down range in a make-shift lane that stretched all the way back to the tennis courts! I guess the pressure is on as Kenneth’s son, Hayden, picks up the bow for the first time tomorrow.
Camp is full of amazing memories and life-long friendships for me. I am delighted to think that a remarkable legacy is perpetuated each time we open the gates!
Here’s to a great session!
Jon D. Brooks
Associate Director
Sunday, June 20th, 2010
Well – I’m always curious to know which campers have planned ahead enough to have Father’s Day greetings arrive home before today. In case (as with yours truly) there is a delay in their good intentions we gathered with various cabins to send a special note of love and appreciation.
Seeing an opportunity, the Shamburger brothers (including Sycamore counselor, Davis; Hickory JC, Dylan; Buckeye camper, Gentry; and Poplar camper, Raines) gathered to let their father know how much they appreciate him and his parent’s work in seeing that they could all enjoy Rockmont experiences through the years.
There are so many stories to tell… Council is tonight and I expect some significant recognitions of how the counselors have seen growth in their campers! Melissa re-joins us tomorrow for futher updates!
Friday, June 18th, 2010
I guess it was more perplexing than unusual to find the missing volleyball soaking wet and at the canoe docks as the Hemlock tribe was preparing for evening activities. What was unusual was the trip to return it when I found the Birch tribe playing “baseball” on the tennis courts (with tennis rackets), and the Buckeye tribe heavily engrossed in a game on the volleyball courts that required a soccer ball!
Well – I have to hand it to our creative staff who know how to keep things fresh! While the afternoon had seen skills in full swing, the morning was packed with age group activities that everyone seemed to enjoy. The Poplar tribe had an old fashioned dodgeball tournament, and the Sycamore a round-robin of intramurals where the only injury seemed to be to JJ the tribal director (he’s fine, but temporarily speaks with a slight lisp). All of Bearcamp (Buckeye and Birch) successfully attempted a slip ’n slide down the big hill below Inspiration Point (I believe there are pictures)! The Hickory and Hemlock had been in the woods for overnight campouts, so they enjoyed breakfast “out” and a casual return to civilization. The Hemlock tribal campout was in our new remote site that requires a group hike to the top of the mountain and down the other side… anything the A Team serves for dinner always tastes good after that!
This photo was taken over the weekend as some older 3 weekers joined Jon McNair, our Farm Director at a local farmer’s market. The boys sold out of produce that they had gathered and taken to town. They were then shown how to contribute the proceeds in the form of a micro loan to other aspiring acra-business partners. If you see your son in this picture, be prepared to ask him how they made their choice on the Kiva.Org site. They are supporting an entrepreneur in Tajikistan!
Best Regards,
Jon D. Brooks
Associate Director
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
The day dawned overcast at Rockmont, but spirits were high as we were in full swing for 2010. Sunday we talked to the campers about "newness" and how each day is new and a gift from God. It also had a bigger meaning though, as Monday the campers took part in some activities that had never been done before!
I'll start at the top. Mountain camp went on a high ropes adventure in Montreat, an adventure that only our Central Staff and CITs had done before. Its an amazing set-up, the staff there is great, and the guys to see so many new things on how they respond and work together in a new environment! Each course (high and higher) has 4 sections, all of which include a lot of teamwork. You simply cannot do it without the help of others. What a great lesson to learn in trusting your brothers.
In Deercamp, they were the first group ever to learn the basics of Blacksmithing at Rockmont. When I spoke to them at lunch, the boys couldn’t stop talking about it! Our master blacksmith, Brian Toole, is a fantastic teacher, and he does such a good job delivering the message to the boys. The process of it all was great, maybe one day we’ll get a post from Brian himself! The boys ended up making hooks during their time with Brian. Also, Deer got to go on a Horseback Trail ride!
Through all the things that Mountain and Deer were able to do today, it was cool to see them pass through the stages in The Hero’s Journey. For instance, to step off the platform at high ropes, pick up the hammer at blacksmith, or get on the horse was a big thing for all these boys. They were answering the Call to Adventure! Having been to the high ropes a couple times, I know the Montreat Staff did an excellent job of breaking down the challenge for the boys.
For Bear Camp, it was the first day of skills! They participated in Archery, Air Riflery, Outdoor Skills, Homesteading, and Crafts. I saw in Homesteading they made “darts” with corncobs and goose feathers! In the afternoon, they played Super Mario Brothers, complete with boxes to “punch”. To my knowledge, the Princess is safe and Wario was defeated :)
All this time, the staff for A2 was rolling in, and it was good to see some old friends return (Carl, Layton, Will), and new faces arrive (Torrey, Adam, Aaron, Dylan). They’ll be going through training for the rest of the week, and be ready for campers on Sunday!
Well, I better get back to it, Tuesday still has a lot to offer! We’ll get back with you guys later tonight or tomorrow!
Peace,
Matt Ragland
Assistant Director
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Made for This
Posted June 6, 2010
It is Opening Day of our 2010 Summer and we have so much to report. For instance, we calculated that the staff leading our Counselor In Training program this session has a combined 42 years of experience at Camp Rockmont. And there are only 3 of them! The seventeen A Session CITs also have an impressive history with us. This marks 110 years of combined experience for them!! We have been so encouraged here at the end of our training week and the beginning of the session to realize that the community that is created here each summer has deep roots and strong bonds.
Those CITs served as greeters, sherpas, and game masters this morning as they helped our newest camp families settle in to the Bearcamp starter session. Counselors had there T’s tucked in and their hair coiffed and they greeted campers with all of the genuine enthusiasm and compassion that we have come to expect. Every single counselor for this session is a Rockmont Veteran, and I won’t even try to total their combined experience.
You see, it’s reflecting on that – on the “we knew them when,” that makes our work so rewarding. We can draw on a unique perspective when we see a camper begin to display homesickness because we have seen the other side for so many — the perseverance that leads to maturity. I personally witnessed three campers who were working through the wash of emotions that comes with the adjustment to camp. One was new to Rockmont and two were returning. These are normal feelings and in one case the camper was quickly emboldened as he re-connected with friends. In another the camper was encouraged by an older cousin who helped him with the normal adjustment. The transition for the third camper amazed me. I watched him hug his mom, wipe a tear from his eye, and then draw from some reservoir of inner resolve that was clearly in place from loving parents who have conveyed, “You can do this. You were made for this. We believe in you.”
Camp can be such a great place for a young man to try new things, master new skills, and cultivate important friendships. If you had asked any counselor what the Camp’s goals are while your son is in his watchcare, he could have told you. Our mission is growth, and the counselors know specific ways that they can help foster that in this environment. They understand that there is something so much bigger than big fun happening in this place… but the fun ain’t so bad either! Enjoy the photos!
Jon Brooks
Associate Director
Monday, June 7th, 2010
The Lord blessed us with a beautiful opening day for the A and A1 campers! It was great to receive all the boys who have made the decision to come to camp and be a part of our community this year.
Registration was brisk as campers were able to get to their cabins and continue the time-honored tradition of trying to get the top bunks! Me personally, I love watching the Bear Camp counselors greet their campers. Everyone cheers, chants the cabin number, and makes the camper feel welcome. Many of these boys are coming to camp for the first time, and the counselor’s enthusiasm certainly helps ease that transition. I was able to speak with many families as they moved their boys in, and it was humbling to know how much they trusted us, and how much fun the boys were going to have!
As the parents trickled out, the cabins came together and the games began! I was able to hang out with all the camps during the afternoon, and had a blast! Being a director has its perks :) Bear Camp had a successful swim test, and then moved over to the flagpole field for Octopi-Octopi, Amoeba tag, and shirt-tail tag. Deer Camp played Gotcha! down on the Lower Soccer Field, and then had 100% success on the swim test (including me!). Mountain Camp was up on the lacrosse field for games, and then also passed the swim test with flying colors. A quick shout out to our waterfront staff, a great, hardworking group that presented the waterfront rules to all the campers, in very creative fashion as well!
Then we had the traditional Baked Chicken dinner, and afterwards Deer and Mountain Camp prepared for Council. For the first time, we had a mixed-camp council, combining Deer and Mountain. It was cool to see all the ages interacting and getting to know each other during the Passing of the Peace. Bear Camp has council Monday night, and went on a photo tour of camp.
So the first day of the 2010 summer is in the books! This first week will be very different for our 3 week campers, stay tuned for news!
In Servitude to God,
Matt and the Rockmont Staff
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010
A session campers arrive today! Welcome to Rockmont, its going to be another great summer!
Friday, June 4th, 2010
You hear the saying a lot…
I’ll take this trip is once in a lifetime
It was a once in a lifetime experience
That’s a once in a lifetime play
We normally attach that saying to grand experiences, things we think we don’t get to do every day. There’s a lot of truth to that, most of us don’t travel to other countries regularly, go sky-diving each year, and so on.
But, there are once in a lifetime experiences every day. Each day, you will have new experiences, meet new people, have opportunities to love and help people you come in contact with. There will be different views of God’s creation, weather, and on and on.
Veteran campers will remember Dan Davis saying at Morning/Evening Watches “This day has never happened before, and it will never happen again!” So true, and we all tend to take it for granted. I encourage you to consider that each day is a gift, and interact with others by giving that gift to them.
We’re looking forward to having everyone at Rockmont this summer, each day is a gift from God!
