Camp News
Mile High City Movies and Reunion
November 9th, 2010
Yates traveled west to Denver on Tuesday, November 9, where Peter and Angela Pak hosted the Falling Creek Reunion and Camp Movies in their home. Their son, J.P. will be going to Falling Creek for his first time this summer.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show at the Pak’s in Denver, CO on 11-9-10Peter is business partners in Denver with alumnus Haynes Chidsey, a long time Falling Creek camper from Sarasota, FL, in the 70’s and 80’s. Haynes and his brother John have been supporters of Falling Creek for many years and we appreciate their strong camp friendship.
Will Gordon, an 8-year camper and 3-year staff member from Nashville, is currently finishing his senior year at the University of Colorado. He took time out of his busy school schedule to drive down from Boulder and say hello.
Will had the high honor of receiving the “Green and Gold Book” dedication with Robert Eshleman this past summer. Will leads FCC’s Mountaineering Program and is also an avid paddler, runner and likes to do many other things outside.
Paul, Katherine and Andrew Aertker at the Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Camp Movies in Denver, CO on 11-9-10Paul, Katherine and Andrew Aertker came by early to say hello to everyone before having to make it to a family event. Andrew will be returning to Main camp for his third summer.
We want to thank Peter and Angela for opening their home to these Falling Creek camp families who came for a wonderful reunion and to tell the new families present why they enjoy being a part of this great camp camp community.
0 Comments"Houston, we have a reunion & movie show"
November 9th, 2010
Yates made his way south to Houston, where Hal and Paula Mentz hosted the Falling Creek Reunion and camp movies on Monday, November 8. Their three sons, Henry, James and Phil have been campers at Falling Creek for years.
Henry was a Counselor-In-Training (C.I.T.) in 2010 and participated in the HUCK Paddling Adventure the past two summers. James and Phil are returning for their 6th and 5th summers.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show at the Mentz’s in Houston, TX on 11-8-10Laffy Herring, a native Houstonian and FCC camper in the 70’s and 80’s, brought his son, LaFayette to the reunion. LaFayette will be returning for his fourth summer.
Laffy’s cousin Fred and Hilary Herring Smith were long time Falling Creek and Camp Greystone campers. Hilary brought her sons, Paul and Henry tonight, and Paul will be going to June camp for his first Falling Creek Camp experience.
Carleton Riser, also an alumnus from the 70’s and 80’s, brought Robert, his oldest of three sons, to introduce him to the Falling Creek Camp community. Carleton is from New Orleans, but has called Houston home for years. He is currently Managing Director of Transwestern’s Real Estate Development & Investment Group.
Yates always enjoys reconnecting with FCC camp friends. He said, “we pick right up from where we left off more than 20 years ago.”
We want to thank Hal and Paula for their warm hospitality in welcoming this large group of families who came to reconnect and learn more about Falling Creek Camp.
0 CommentsMontgomery Movies
November 4th, 2010
Yates made his way north to Montgomery, Alabama, where Brooke and Melissa Lawson hosted the Falling Creek Reunion and Camp Movies in their home on Wednesday, November 3.
Brooke was a camper at FCC in the 70’s and their son, Jennings, will be going to camp for his first time this summer. Brooke and his younger son, Henry, are excited to be going to the Father/Son Weekend at Falling Creek in May.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show at The Lawson’s in Montgomery, AL on 11-3-10John Barganier, an alumnus from the late 70’s and early 80’s at Falling Creek, brought his younger son, Will, as he plans to go to June camp for his first experience. John’s older son, Jack, was a camper for several years at FCC.
Patrick Thackston, who will be returning to June camp, will be back for his 5th summer. His two younger brothers are interested in coming and enjoyed learning more about Falling Creek.
Leslie Little brought her two sons, Tucker and Mason, to reunite with camp friends. Both went to Falling Creek for several years. Leslie and David Little hosted Falling Creek Movie shows previously for the Montgomery area.
Yates was thrilled to reconnect with so many Montgomery area Falling Creek Campers and have the chance to meet the new boys who are interested in coming. We all thank the Lawson’s for hosting the event at their home!
0 CommentsEnjoying the Fall in WNC
October 29th, 2010
When the weather is nice, Falling Creekers are out paddling, climbing, hiking and mountain biking. You never know who you will meet up with in the Western North Carolina Mountains this time of year!
Crom Carey, John Bates and Chris Stec ran into each other and paddled together on the Nantahala River.
John Bates, Chris Stec and Crom Carey paddling the Nantahala.John works at Talisman Academy in Hendersonville. Talisman is a year round residential academic alternative for adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 20 with Asperger’s Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and similar spectrum disorders.
Crom is a senior at the University of Tennessee and has been a mountain biking trip leader and tribal leader at Falling Creek for several summers.
Chris Stec, former Program Director, is the Chief Operating Officer for the American Canoe Association.
Make sure you are registered in our Alumni system for access to year-round camp news and to keep up with camp friends.
0 CommentsOn the Road to Louisville
October 26th, 2010
Yates turned north from Nashville and traveled to Louisville, KY. Franklin and Hollis Starks hosted the Falling Creek Reunion and Camp Movies at their home on Monday, October 25. Their son Franklin is returning to FCC for his 8th summer in 2011.
Falling Creek Camp movies and reunion in Louisville at the Starks’ home.Franklin’s cousins, Clay and Roscoe Willet, also came to support Falling Creek. Clay, a 6-year camper and 4-time staff member, recently graduated from the University of Kentucky, and is studying for the LSAT exam as he intends to go to law school. Roscoe was a camper for 5 years and lives in the Louisville area.
Mike Nuckles, a staff member at FCC for the past two summers, drove over from Indiana University where he is in his first year of law school there.
Franklin Jelsma, a camper at Falling Creek in the mid 70’s came to reconnect with camp and introduced his two boys to the families from the Louisville area.
Neil and Thomas Simmons also joined us for the fun. They both have been a part of the Father/Son Weekend and Thomas is returning to camp for his second summer.
Yates was thrilled to reconnect with so many alumni and they all helped him introduce Falling Creek to the new families who came to learn more about camp. We send our thanks to the Starks’ family for opening their home to this big group!
0 CommentsFalling Creek Visits "Music City USA", Nashville
October 25th, 2010
Yates traveled west to Nashville where Libby and Ross Cheek hosted the Falling Creek Reunion and Camp Movies at their home on Sunday, October 24.
Their son William, a five-year FCC alumnus, was joined by Will Weinstein and Gage Anderson, both six-year campers. They were excellent hosts and combined with other current campers present to assist in answering the questions from the new families who came to learn more about camp.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show at the Cheek’s in Nashville, TN on 10-24-10Will Weaver and Peyton Green both went to Falling Creek as campers and are now enjoying seeing their boys have a chance to become a part of the Falling Creek Camp community.
John Bryan and John Hayworth enjoyed having the opportunity to join their boys at the Father/Son Weekend at FCC.
We were thrilled that Margaret Anderson, Gage’s mother, came by to say hello as well. Margaret is an instructor in the pediatric nurse practitioner’s program at Vanderbilt School of Nursing, and has been serving as a camp nurse at Falling Creek for five summers.
(L to R) Yates, Jamie, William and Gage at the Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show at the Cheek’s in Nashville, TN on 10-24-10Jamie Kaplan, a multi-year Falling Creek camper, took time out of his busy senior year schedule at Vanderbilt University to come by and say hello and offer his support. Jamie is majoring in Civil Engineering and Economics and was a lacrosse instructor and cabin counselor for two summers at FCC.
Many thanks to the Cheek’s for hosting a wonderful Falling Creek Camp event!
0 CommentsWest Palm Beach Reunion
October 20th, 2010
Yates was thrilled to be able to reconnect with the Skelly family in West Palm Beach as they hosted the Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movies on Tuesday, October 19.
Tim Skelly and Yates met at FCC in 1978 while taking the swim test in the upper lake and have been great friends ever since. Inge and Tim’s son, Tommy, will be returning to Falling Creek for his 6th summer and enjoys camp as much as his dad and Uncle Piper did.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movies show at the Skelly’s in West Palm Beach, FL on 10-19-10Yates also had the chance to reconnect with Paul Raymond, a 7-year camper, who has applied to be a Counselor-In-Training (C.I.T.) this coming summer. Paul loves camp, but especially any paddling trip he can sign up for. He plans to return to be a part of the HUCK paddling trip for his third time. We’re excited that Paul will be able to pass along his paddling expertise to the campers in his role as a C.I.T. this summer.
Mariano Garcia came to this FCC reunion with his son Andres, who has been a Falling Creek camper for several years. They have also been a part of the “Becoming A Man” (BAM) Father/Son Weekend at FCC, a special opportunity for older boys and their dads.
Yates and Tim really enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with FCC alumnus Stuart Kirwan, a long-time Falling Creek camper from Louisville, back when they were counselors. Stuart is an attorney and he and his wife live in the Palm Beach area.
These folks, and the other returning campers who came to the show, were all excellent hosts to the new families that came to learn more about Falling Creek Camp. We all send the Skelly’s a “Thank You” for hosting the big FCC event at their home.
0 CommentsFCC Families Adventure Race In Virginia
October 19th, 2010
After the New Orleans movie show, Yates drove back Friday and picked his two oldest daughters up at school and joined with their good friends the Smith’s from Asheville. The group traveled north to Buchanan, VA, to participate in the Odyssey Adventure Race on Saturday, October 16.
(l to r) Ellison, Matt, Yates, Brooke, Lucy & Annie after the Odyssey Adventure Race in Buchanan, VA on 10-16-10The two families received a “Hall Pass” from the rest of their crew to create two teams; “Hall Pass One” included Annie Pharr(14), Brooke Smith(14) and Ellison Smith(dad), and “Hall Pass Two” included Matt Smith(12), Lucy Pharr(12) and Yates.
Matt, a veteran Falling Creek camper, will be returning to Main camp for his fourth summer. He also participated in the big HUCK paddling trip that Falling Creek offers just after Main camp.
Yates was glad to see Michael Egues at the race. His sons, Jack and Michael have been coming to Falling Creek Camp for 6 and 7 years. Michael was part of the “On Your Left” team that competed in the 24-hour Adventure Race.
You can see more info on the Odyssey Adventure Racing web site.
The teams are given maps and coordinates at the start of the race. Each group has to work together to plot these coordinates on the maps and then find checkpoints out in the wilderness by following the directions on how to get there.
It involves whitewater canoeing, trekking and mountain biking. Many times bushwhacking is required to find the remote points.
There are mandatory checkpoints that all teams must find to remain official and there are several optional ones to give teams incentive to decide whether they can acquire them, gain more points, and still return in time to the finish before the cut-off.
All teams finished their race and Annie, Brooke and Ellison (“Team Hall Pass One”) finished 1st in the 3-person co-ed division and 3rd overall with 31 teams competing. Yates, Lucy and Matt (“Hall Pass Two”) finshed 4th in the Co-ed 3-person team division. This is quite impressive given that there is no consideration for age and it was Brooke, Annie, Matt and Lucy’s first ever adventure race. Needless to say, the two dads were very proud of their families!
0 CommentsThe Creek Visits Coral Gables
October 18th, 2010
Yates made his way to South Florida on Sunday, October17, to show the Falling Creek Camp movies at Art and Betsy Murphy’s home in Coral Gables. Teddy and Anderson Murphy are veteran campers and welcomed a number of new families who came to learn more about camp.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show in Coral Gables, FL at the Murphy’s on 10-17-10John Crabtree came to reconnect, as he is a prior camper at FCC. His son will be going to Falling Creek for the first time this summer.
Thompson Lykes and Bill Mathes, who have both gone to Father/Son Weekends at Falling Creek, brought their sons to reconnect.
The big hit was the giant rope swing in the Murphy’s back yard. Thanks to the Murphy’s for their hospitality!
0 CommentsFCC in NOLA
October 18th, 2010
Yates made his way to New Orleans on Thursday, October 14, to reconnect with many Falling Creek Camp families. Maria and Noel Johnson hosted the big event and their son, Lawrence will be returning to FCC this summer.
Falling Creek Camp Reunion and Movie Show in New Orleans, LA at the Johnson’s on 10-14-10Andy Wisdom, a prior FCC camper enjoyed reconnecting with camp and is glad that his son will be able to become a part of the Falling Creek community this coming summer.
Justin Schmidt, whose son Calder has been going to camp for five years now, came by to say, “Hello.” He was on the Falling Creek staff in 1989 with Yates and Marisa.
Drew Nickerson, a long time camper from Chapel Hill, is in his junior year at Tulane University. Drew was a sailing counselor and photographer at Falling Creek last summer and hopes to return this coming summer. Thanks to Drew for taking time out of his busy school schedule to come say hello and support Falling Creek.
Thanks to the Johnson’s for hosting such a fun FCC event!
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