Aquatic Programs

Paddlesports                 Canoeing stresses the value of teamwork, while kayakers experience the joy of self direction, quickly gliding across the water's surface to the far reaches of the lake. Canoeing lessons include tandem and solo paddling skills and rescue techniques. Kayakers learn flatwater and whitewater skills including surfing and rolls. Our playboats are lightweight, responsive and fun to paddle. Competent kayakers may participate in a special trip to a nearby river. Instructional programs follow the guidelines of the American Canoeing Association.

Roaring Brook provides American Red Cross swimming instruction focusing on survival skills in the aquatic environment. Instruction includes swimming strokes, survival swimming, rescue breathing, CPR and water rescue skills. Advanced swimmers may participate in the American Red Cross Guard Start Program.

Free swim at the lake is a favorite time of day where campers enjoy our rope swing, games, boats, fishing, crayfish racing and relaxing on the beach.

Our spring-fed lake has rainbow, brook and brown trout for the enjoyment of those who wish to try their luck at landing the big one. We offer the chance to learn this sport which demands patience and persistence in exchange for the pleasure of fresh fish or the right to tell a fish tale. Spin-cast fishing is offered, but fly-fishing is our specialty.

Taught in the crafts program, fly tying includes wet flys, dry flys and terrestrials. There are more than 100 different trout flies for which the camp stocks materials. Boys learn to select hooks, tie tails, dub bodies, attach wings, hackles and heads to create these small works of art.

While in camp, each day begins with exercises and fitness games based upon the President's Council on Physical Fitness. Campers may choose between playing cooperative games and completing initiative tasks or participate in an educational program that focuses on core strength, flexibility and endurance exercises. We strive to obtain a peak in physical performance through a healthy balance of work and play. Work to build strength and play to heighten enthusiasm lead to increased mental alertness and personal confidence.

Special Events

Whitewater Rafting-
Campers may participate in an exciting optional whitewater rafting trip to the Upper Hudson River Gorge. The Wildwaters Rafting Company provides equipment and guides for this adventure. Mountain Biking                                                                     A guided mountain bike experience is open to two-week campers using the trails of Burke Mountain in the famed Vermont North East Kingdom. Single and double track trails surround the mountain providing spectacular scenery and great fun.
Woodsmen's Weekend-
This is an all-camp event reminiscent of the time when loggers roamed the north country with ax, saw and peavy. Boys learn to roll logs, crosscut saw, buck saw, toss pulpwood, compete in fly-casting, race with a packboard, canoe slalom, and canoe portage. Old skills are practiced and the traditions of New England are brought to life providing many memories for the participants.
Orienteering-
Roaring Brook is one of the few camps with a specialty program in both wilderness and sport orienteering. The sport of the mountains, orienteers use map and compass to find their way through the wilderness. It is used on backpacking trips to explore those places hidden from the common trekker. During an all-camp event, boys orienteer in pairs or solo on cross-country orienteering courses, testing speed afoot and accuracy of map reading skills.
Triathlon-
In Roaring Brook style, our triathlon event combines swimming, running and canoeing events in a matched team format.