GREAT GAINS FROM ON HIGH

Strapped in to blue safety harnesses and yellow climbing helmets, campers make their way up the inside steel stairs leading to the top of the 30-foot rappelling tower. Each camper gazes out over the 142-acre campus and prepares for the feat ahead of them…some facing their fear of heights and others anticipating the greatest fun they’ve experience thus far.

Cinched to safety maximums and feet set the prescribed width apart, each looks downward and calls to the Cadet Instructor situated 30 feet below holding the rope taut, “Camper (last name) on RAPPEL!” to which the CI yells back, “CI (last name) on BILET!” Grasping the rope firmly with gray suede gloves, each camper assumes a kind of high dive position. The Rappelling Instructor directs, “Lean back…way back…more, more, more, and keep those knees straight…yeah! You did it. Easy, right?” 

As soon as released from the rappel guide line, most campers make their way back up the steel stairs to top off their high flying adventure with a “zip” down the zip line. Personal expression at its best, each zips in their own fashion…some flapping their arms like an eagle in flight, others in Superman fashion, and still others just enjoying the magnificent descent to the end of the line. Oorah, what a glorious feeling…OORAH!