Every day, hundreds of campers walk through the heart of camp, following a path to and from their skills and tribal activities.
Conveniently placed near the waterfront, at the most trafficked point of camp, stands the iconic Wall of Legends. During transitions or Free Swim, campers gather to stare up in admiration at the names of Rockmont’s Legends; the campers who have achieved Level V in a skill.
At Rockmont, we love the saying, “challenge by choice.”
Camp is full of incredible opportunities for campers to challenge their abilities and discover their potential, but the requirement is that the camper must choose to accept the challenge for themselves. The progression program is exactly that opportunity: an invitation to master the beginner, intermediate, and advanced aspects of a skill. It is a challenge which allows campers to get the most out of their time in skills.
Campers begin the progression program at Level I, where they learn and demonstrate the fundamentals of the skill.
Most of the time, this encompasses the safety procedures, basic instructions, and equipment anatomy.
As a camper shows the ability to explain and demonstrate each aspect of this level, they are checked off to begin Level II. From here on, the levels become gradually more advanced, requiring campers to put into practice the skills and techniques they are learning. For example, Level II in rock climbing asks to “explain and demonstrate open and crimp hand techniques,” and “climb a 5.7 route on the wall.”
Each level of the progression builds upon the last and challenges the camper to develop a comprehensive understanding of the skill.
Levels IV and V are designed to be difficult.
To meet the requirements of these levels, a camper must show a high degree of mastery and the ability to teach other campers.
We strongly believe that being proficient in a skill doesn’t just mean having the capability to do it, but also the capacity to teach it. To achieve Level V, a camper must demonstrate the ability to complete the most difficult tasks, apply advanced techniques, and contribute to the camp community by teaching a beginner camper.
In some skills, this mastery can be achieved in one summer; however, in most skills it takes two to three years.
On the last evening of a session, the whole camp gathers around a fire at Inspiration Point for one final moment together.
It is during this special moment that we honor those campers who dedicated their time, energy, and determination to achieving Level V in a skill.
Each “Legend” is called forward to be presented and honored in front of the whole camp. It’s a beautiful moment, one met with plenty of applause and praise, and perhaps most importantly… a coveted purple swim band!
When our Legends return to camp the following year, they are given a wooden plaque that includes their name, skill, and the year they achieved Level V.
At the “Wall of Legends” ceremony, each camper will help pin his name to the board, joining the ranks of the courageous and dedicated legends who have come before and inspiring the many who will come after.
– Justin Bennett
Program Director