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This author profile represents a collective of people contributing to articles and blog posts on the Rockbrook Summer Camp Site. These authors include camp directors, counselors, adventure staff members, camp moms, and other volunteers, each providing their unique perspective and thoughts on life at camp.
camp roasting marshmallows
• Summer Camp • rbc

We Love Roasting Marshmallows

roasting marshmallows on a campfire

Getting excited for camp? We sure are! There are so many reasons, but seeing this picture really gets us looking forward to campfires and roasting marshmallows. It’s such a great classic summer camp experience… searching the forest for just the right roasting stick (the right length, thickness and stiffness, etc.), gathering around the fire, and carefully holding the marshmallow near the coals or over the flame to turn it that ideal shade of brown/black. Golden brown or charred to a crisp?

Did you know that marshmallows originally were made from extracting a substance from the root of the marshmallow plant, Althaea officinalis, and were primarily used as a remedy for sore throats? Later, candy makers in France began whipping it with sugar and egg whites to make a yummy dessert, and then in the 1940s marshmallows were mass produced and distributed as we know them today.

Around here, it seems like a bag of marshmallows goes on every overnight backpacking trip. We’ll definitely be doing some roasting! Can’t wait!

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confident summer camp girls
• Testimonials • rbc

Parent, Richmond, VA

Rockbrook is truly a haven where Avery could pursue various interests, be creative, be challenged (thanks to the awesome counselor who encouraged her to keep going on the alpine tower!), relax, get positive feedback for being herself, and be rewarded for perseverance (being able to kayak the Nantahala!). Thank you!

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Girls Tennis Camp
• Tennis • rbc

Tennis at Camp

Girls Camp plays tennis

Forehand! Backhand! Lob! Volley! Groundstroke! Cross-court! Serve! It’s all tennis.

And at camp there’s plenty of chances to play tennis. Campers can sign up for tennis as one of their scheduled activities, which gives them about an hour on the courts. They can grab a friend and hit a few balls around during their free time before lunch or dinner. They can even get in a quick game after dinner during the “Twilight” time before evening program. And finally, girls can look forward to the end-of-session tennis tournament with Camp Carolina, a long tradition at Rockbrook.

With all this tennis going on at camp, Rockbrook girls can really learn a lot. They can build their tennis skills and become much better players if they want. But at Rockbrook, no matter what we do, the most important part is to have fun doing it! That’s why tennis can be pretty silly. It can turn into some kind of relay game, a trick shot contest, or even a new dance move. No pressure. No intense competition. No worries about whose the “best.” It’s a girls tennis camp dedicated to having fun, even when that means mostly playing around. Yes it’s all tennis, and it’s all fun.

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boondoggle gimp lanyard
• Arts • rbc

Scoubidou, Boondoggle, Gimp

Boondoggle Lanyard

What is a gimp? Originating in France and popular even today at summer camps worldwide, it’s what we call a lanyard. Did you know that “Scoubidou” (pronounced in your best french accent) is its original name? They’re called “Scoubies” for short, and can refer to either the colorful plastic strands used or the final project of repeated knots. Sometimes, when the material is braided, it is called a “Boondoggle,” a name that appears to have come from the boy scouts and their tradition of braiding a ring of leather straps to hold a neckerchief.

At camp, this traditional arts activity is insanely popular. You can see it everywhere.

This lanyard material is also referred to as “Gimp,” following the name for twisted treads (usually silk, cotton or wool) used as decorative trimming on dresses. Our familiar lanyards have quite a history!

The world record for the longest Scoubidou (Boondoggle, Gimp, Lanyard) is held by Manuela Dos Santos of Brancourt, France. On November 11, 2008, she finished her Scoubi— 1,673 feet and 2 inches! An amazing project. It makes us wonder if the strands she used were single long pieces or sections tied together.

Want to learn more? Check out these links:
Basic Lanyard patterns
Fun Scoubidou projects
Cool Boondoggle videos

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Horse Girl Teen and Young
• Horseback Riding • rbc

Horse Girls of all Ages

Teen Horse Girls

One common question about our horseback riding program is whether all the girls at camp, from the smallest kindergartners to the oldest teenagers, can ride while attending Rockbrook. The answer is yes! We are very careful to tailor our riding lessons to accommodate both absolute beginners as well as those teen horse girls who want to spend as much time as possible at the equestrian center.

For those girls who are brand new to riding, camp is a perfect place to develop their interest and take their very first ride. They will learn important safety rules, how to mount, riding positions, how to communicate with their horse, and so much more. They will get to know some of the experienced, gentle ponies Rockbrook has especially suited for beginning horseback riders.

For older, and more advanced horse girls, there are special mounted lessons to match their ability as well. The Rockbrook horseback riding program is ready to teach more difficult riding techniques and likewise has great, well-schooled horses for skilled riders.

There’s horseback riding for everyone at Rockbrook!

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Camp Counselor Fun
• Counselors • rbc

Oh Yea It’s Fun!

Fun Activities for Camp Counselors

Being a camp counselor at Rockbrook is a lot of things. It’s a job that requires you to be a well-rounded mentor, someone who is part friend, part older sister, part parent, and part teacher. It means wearing lots of hats, cheerfully accepting a wide range of responsibilities. It definitely requires hard work, creativity, patience and stamina. The pace of camp life is full speed!

But perhaps surprisingly, for the counselors at Rockbrook, working at camp is also unbelievably fun. This is because our staff members simply love being around kids. They enjoy helping the campers with their activities, participating along the way. They get a huge kick from dressing up, singing songs, playing games, and generally being pretty silly— just like the campers. Cannonball off the diving board? You bet. Trip down the slip ‘n slide? Oh yes. Wear a Super Hero costume to dinner. Definitely. Rockbrook counselors are the kind of people who wouldn’t think of passing up a chance to join the girls in whatever they’re doing.

That’s why it’s such a blast to work at camp. It’s nonstop action. It’s being right smack in the middle of a hugely fun time for everyone.

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camp classic canoeing
• History • rbc

Canoeing at Camp

Canoe Camp for Girls

Rockbrook has a long tradition of canoeing at camp. From the earliest days, Rockbrook girls could learn how to canoe in the camp lake, and later take canoeing trips on the local rivers. For example, read this account of a camp canoeing trip. Even on whitewater rivers, Rockbrook campers were some of the first girls to brave the local rapids in a canoe.

Here is an old photograph from our archives showing a girl solo canoeing by the waterfall in the Rockbrook lake. We’re not sure what year it was taken or who the camper is in the photo, so if you know, please share it with us!

We love canoeing!

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child in summer camp bunk bed
• Testimonials • rbc

Parent, New Orleans, LA

As first timers, it was very reassuring to see my daughter’s smiling face. Each day I became more impressed with Rockbrook itself and the entire staff’s (and campers’) unending supply of energy, enthusiasm, expertise, creativity, and caring love. Thank you for making us a part of the Rockbrook family.

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Rockbrook Camp Horses
• Horseback Riding • rbc

Equestrian Riding

Rockbrook Camp Horses

It’s really getting exciting around here at camp now because the horses are starting to arrive! Several have made it up from South Carolina, a few from Virginia, and a bunch from down in Laurinburg, North Carolina. It’s great to see them back in the mountains and enjoying their time in the Rockbrook fields. They’ll also be enjoying the latest addition to the Rockbrook Horseback Riding Program— a new double riding ring!

That’s Robbie in the photo.

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girls doing fiber arts at camp
• Testimonials • rbc

Parent, Orlando, FL

My daughter came home just bubbling with self confidence! She had a wonderful counselor and I’m so pleased with how much she’s grown personally and socially. Absolutely priceless!

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