Rockmont's Mission

From Triple Homesteading to Triple Thrill

Daniel Weatherby February 19, 2021

Around this time each spring, my family and I would receive our packet from Rockmont in the mail.

I was officially going to Camp, and I was so excited!

Though it seemed forever away at the time, what really brought the reality of my Rockmont session into view was opening the packet and selecting the skills I wanted to take part in. We would sit down as a family, read through each skill, and I would get to choose them in the preferential order I wanted. It was such a big deal to me, that I think we even made popcorn for the occasion.

Having consumed fistfuls of Orville Redenbacher, diligently studied the skills list, and mentally prepared for my annual draft, I would place little numbers over lines out to the side of each skill. My schedule ended up looking something like:

Homesteading

Homesteading

Homesteading

Crafts

Instructional Swimming

Nature

Notice anything?

That’s right! For a while, I was a triple Homesteading Camper – for a number of reasons.

First, I loved Homesteading.

The Garden was an adventure in plants almost as tall as me, the animals were so silly and made funny noises, we got to create wooden-signs and candles, make popcorn and ice cream, and we would even venture to the nearby apiaries, all dressed up like beekeeping astronauts.

I also loved Homesteading because I knew Homesteading.

It was in my zone and on the ground, with no ropes or paddles involved. It was a safe bet for me, and while I loved camp more than anywhere else in the entire world, I wanted to keep my skills within my comfort zone.

Until I met my counselor, Riggs.

Riggs was excited to engage with us on our skills, why we chose them and how they were going, and he invited me into a new era of my life at Rockmont:

Do you want to try Rock Climbing?

I mean, sure!

Then why don’t we ask to switch from one of your Homesteading skills into Rock Climbing. I belay there, and I think you’ll like it. If you don’t, we’ll find another skill for you to try!

And, just like that, I began trying new skills!

Through the years, yes, there were some that weren’t my favorite. But I tried them, and learned through the help of counselors and staff which skills I would grow to love. Skills that I probably never would’ve tried without the encouragement, support, and excitement from the staff at Rockmont!

And, yes, I made sure to always take Homesteading.

As you look at skill opportunities for the upcoming summer, consider trying something (or some-things) new!

You will find great skill staff and leaders across the map at Rockmont, and if you find you don’t like a new skill, you’ll be met with congratulations for trying something new, and we’ll work together to find you another incredibly fun skill – that’s all part of the way of life around Rockmont.

Daniel Weatherby

Assistant Director

Homesteading Professional

The Rockmont Parent Handbook packet is now digitized, and can be found here!

2021 camp Challenge growth homesteading the rockmont way