Teen Programs for Girls

Girl Teen Outdoor Program

The teen programs for girls offered by Rockbrook bring together several unique aspects. First of all there are all the amazing things teen girls can do at campโ€ฆ everythng from outdoor adventure trips like climbing and kayaking, to arts and crafts like pottery and weaving, to sports like soccer, basketball and volleyball. Thereโ€™s plenty to keep your activity level way, way up.

Then there are special leadership opportunities at camp, the chances to plan special events like the banquet and to help with activities for the younger kids. Itโ€™s very clear how teenagers are role models for the other girls at camp. Finally, the teen programs at Rockbrook provide a place were girls can relax and enjoy carefree summer living with some good friends who appreciate you for who you are instead of who youโ€™re pretending to be. Itโ€™s welcoming and friendly, and thatโ€™s really great.

Girls love camp because it offers the good life.  Just ask anyone whoโ€™s attended!

Girls Summer Adventure Activities

Girls Outdoor Adventure Rock Climbing

Hereโ€™s a middler (whoโ€™s finished either the 5th or 6th grade of school) climbing up the route called โ€œWhimโ€ on Castle Rock. Itโ€™s just one of the rock climbing routes we have on the camp property. There are definitely some challenging spots, with a cool โ€œfoot-switchโ€ move about half way up, so weโ€™ve given it a rating of 5.6. Look at the fancy โ€œmantleโ€ move she is doing by pushing down with her palm. Overall, this climb is about 70 feet high, but it feels much higher because itโ€™s got an amazing view of the French Broad River valley from the top.

Just a glimpse into the great outdoor adventure we have at camp.

Girls Sleep Away Camps

Girls Camps Sleep Away Program

Weโ€™re back from the American Camp Association national conference in Austin, Texas where we enjoyed hearing Dr. David Elkind talk about the power of play (free and unstructured play) in childrenโ€™s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. He was invited to address the conference of sleep away camps because he understands traditional summer camps as excellent contexts where this kind of play is encouraged. Dr. Elkind explains in his new book entitled, The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier and Healthier Children.

Hereโ€™s a quote that jumped out at me. He writes,

Not only does summer camp provide children relief from the pressures to achieve, it reacquaints children with the natural world, with the importance of friendship, cooperation, and the fragility of the environment in which we live.

The book, of course, goes into lots more detail and provides specific advice about how to encourage this kind of beneficial play, but here are a couple of the main points.

  • Cut TV time to allow for playtime.
  • Get children together so they can initiate play.
  • Avoid providing too many toys too often.
  • Keep free time on the schedule.
  • Spend time outside.

There is much to say about each of these, but itโ€™s neat to see how summer camp, and particularly a sleep away camp like Rockbrook, can really encourage them.  Camp is just one of those places where kids can be kids.