Today we opened our third full session of the summer, welcoming another group of campers to Rockbrook. This is a very exciting day for everyone. The counselors woke up early and were ready, dressed in their red polo shirt uniforms. Each was eager to meet a specific set of campers that would be in their cabins. The Hi-Ups, our 10th graders, had arrived the day before and they too were ready to help with the flow of the check in process. That process was steady and smooth all morning. Parents arrived at their assigned times and that helped us minimize waiting in line. As each car pulled up, it was clear the campers were even more ready. We saw enthusiastic smiles mixed with a few nerves over the charged feeling of it all. For these campers, the day they had been waiting for had finally arrived, and they were practically twitching with excitement. So welcome to Rockbrook!
About seventy percent of the girls arriving today are returning to Rockbrook, and for them this meant reuniting with camp friends, getting big hugs from people they hadn’t seen in a year. New campers quickly found their cabin groups and their pen pals, and soon were being pulled right into the rhythms of camp life. They were setting up their bunks, visiting the camp store to pick up their pre-orders, meeting loads of equally excited people, comfortably chatting all the while.
For everyone arriving at Rockbrook, there’s a real sense of relief. It’s a relief from the anticipation that builds leading up to camp, but more important, camp provides an escape for kids, a unique place of joyful freedom and exploration. You can sense this right when you arrive. The people here are warm and welcoming. There’s a contagious energy that creates spontaneous bursts of singing, dancing, and laughing. Just having this many friendly people together creates an electric atmosphere that charges up just about everything we do. This is all so different from regular life, it’s a welcome change. Rockbrook’s focus on community and fun creates a marvelous spirit we all enjoy, and I would say need more than ever. Today that spirit began to work its magic right away. You could see it on everyone’s faces.
Once everyone had arrived, we all gathered under the walnut tree on the hill for a chance to sing a few songs, meet the directors and special staff members, and be reminded of a few camp protocols (about our lightning warning system, for example. This system warns everyone to go inside if it detects lightning in the area).
After lunch, which was a comfort food meal of Rick’s homemade mac-n-cheese, fruit and salad, we launched into line meetings, camp tours, and a visit to the lake for our swimming demonstrations. Each line (age group) took turns coming to the waterfront to learn about our tag system and the opportunities to swim each day at camp. Those opportunities vary based on each camper’s swimming ability, but regardless of their ability, we have a way for everyone to enjoy cooling off at the lake if they want to. We do not force every camper to take a “swim test,” but instead invite them to demonstrate their comfort in the water so we can understand how best to keep them safe while at the waterfront.
We’ve standardized the “demo” to jumping off the dock, swimming out about 60 feet, back 60 feet using some sort of backstroke, and treading water comfortably for one full minute. It’s that last part that gives some girls trouble. The Rockbrook lake water is chilly and treading for that long in deep water can be a challenge to do with strength and confidence. Our three bands (and corresponding tags) of yellow, green, and blue indicate whether we’ll require a lifejacket or not, and where in the lake it will be safe to swim. Soon, the tag board was filled and the girls were set to swim at the lake during free swims, and to sign for swimming as one of their activities where they could improve and perhaps change band/tag colors.
The afternoon excitement didn’t end there. After drying off, we all assembled in the gym and the counselors took to the stage to showcase their activities through lively skits. Complete with costumes, songs, and the occasional gymnastics and dance move, these performances offered campers a glimpse into the fun and opportunities each activity holds. Since the girls would be choosing their first set of activities later that evening, these skits provided valuable insights into who will be teaching each class and what to expect.
This session is off to a great start. The enthusiasm for camp is already ramping up as the girls settle in. Stay tuned!
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