Today marks the beginning of A2 session, and the debut of our revamped camp schedule! Alumni will remember days when campers to all their skills in a single day, and we have brought that back to our schedule! In my memory, I believe at least ten years have passed since we had an “;all skill day”.
We are glad to have over 340 boys on camp right now, forming friendships and learning new things that challenge their minds and their hearts. It’s always a blessing to meet each of you and get to know your families on opening day. Yesterday was particularly special because it was Father’s Day! Hundreds of Dads came in with their sons and enjoyed the Rockmont experience.
Campers were greeted today with french toast sticks, sausage, and oatmeal, accompanied by the song Rise and Shine! Singing is one of the things we do well at Rockmont, and hearing the voices of over 400 young men is a great experience, even at 8:00 in the morning!
Rockmont offers over 30 skills, ranging from water activities (kayaking, paddleboards) to hands-on learning (blacksmithing, crafts) and sports (lacrosse, soccer). We train our staff to teach a skill in three different ways.
- Complexity to Engage the Mind
- Fun to Engage the Spirit
- Life Lessons to Engage the Soul
Doing all of these ensures a young man is learning is different ways, and enjoying an activity in a setting that will make an impact long after he has departed camp.
Lunch was a camp classic, chicken fingers! We encourage the boys to eat up throughout the day, we know they need to stay fueled up with the amount of activity they’re exerting! Dinner rounded out the meals with hamburgers, baked beans, and chips.
The Sycamore tribe left dinner to embark on a journey we have not taken in seven years. Tonight they are camping at Black Mountain Campground, nestled on the South Fork of the Toe River. Tomorrow they will spend the day enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the presence which comes from time together and away from it all.
Back at camp, both Deer and Bear camps led their campers up the mountain for Council, a special time in the camp week. At Council, we play games, sing songs, and be recognized based on the four torches and the four marks. Mountain camp experienced council last night, and tonight Poplars had a blast playing dodgeball!
Now we are bedded down for the second night of camp, and are excited for the day ahead. Who knows what God has planned for us?!
We can’t wait to find out.