UnCamp at Rockhaven

WRITTEN BY CHANDLER JOINER

UnCamp is the innovative creation of former Rockhaven Camp Director, Scott Thrasher. Scott’s UnCamp mission gave campers permission to embrace nature-based free play. He created a space where creativity and imagination continue to flourish today. Rockhaven’s small camp sizes and unique structure allow staff to go above and beyond in fostering camper-led adventures that redefine the traditional summer camp experience.

Let me share an example of the unique creativity and community that define Rockhaven Camp. Many classrooms use the classic “Egg Drop” activity as a team-building exercise, where groups engineer contraptions to protect an egg during a high fall. At Rockhaven, it’s taken to new heights —literally— as campers drop the eggs from the top of the leap-of-faith jump on the high ropes course. Campers work in teams to build their contraptions, earning points for creativity, structure and survival. (Team points are added to the tally for a final camp-wide vote on which counselor gets whipped cream smashed in their face at the end of camp!)

Sometimes tragedy strikes, and an egg cracks during the construction process. Many campers would simply ask for a new egg, discard the broken one and move on. But at Rockhaven, campers see eggs as more than disposable objects. They become deeply attached, donning them with names and faces. When a fatal accident occurs before an egg’s big moment, campers need an outlet for their overwhelming sense of loss. Thus, the “Egg Funeral” was born.

Somber music plays as campers and staff form a solemn procession to the chicken coop. Speeches are delivered, memories are shared and the egg is laid to rest (with a little adult intervention later to keep critters away). Once the tribute is complete, laughter returns and the Egg Drop resumes.

As you can imagine, Egg Funerals were not originally on the schedule. This tradition emerged from camper creativity and staff imagination, made possible by Rockhaven’s small camp size and their commitment to play-based, camper-led experiences. At Rockhaven, every camper is encouraged to express themselves in an environment where they feel safe, valued and cared for.

Scott Thrasher’s UnCamp legacy lives on at Rockhaven through the campers who embrace the goofy and unpredictable nature of the world. Along with new friendships and new skills, campers leave Rockhaven with newfound confidence in who they are. There is nothing like summer in Montana, and camp at Rockhaven offers kids the chance to experience the natural and sacred playground waiting for them.

Chandler Joiner is the Director at Rockhaven Camp and Retreat Center, located in Gallatin Gateway between Bozeman and Big Sky.

Visit www.rockhavencamp.org to learn more.