Camp Movie Show and Reunion Travel Blog - Week 2

As we reflect on our second week of travel, we’re constantly reminded that summer camp friendships run deep. Previous campers and counselors gather at these movie shows to reunite with old friends. Whether they were campers here just this past summer, counselors a few years back, or they are grown dads who have fond memories at The Creek from decades past, they are all united by their positive experiences at camp. Even though these camp movie shows were initially started to explain what Falling Creek was about and introduce new boys to camp, they have since turned into more. Not only are they informative and inviting for new families, they are also fun reunions for returning camp families. Every city we go to is a chance to reconnect with friends, sharing the boys camp experience that is so important. It is exciting to see how expansive those camp connections are, uniting boys all across the country and even the world. This week we stayed on the east coast, traveling to Raleigh NC, Richmond VA, and Alexandria VA.

On October 15th, we started the week off in Raleigh at Emily and Pat Funderburk’s home. Their older son Patrick will be returning to 2-Week camp for his third year this summer, and we’re looking forward to when Wells is old enough to join too! There were quite a number of dads at the Raleigh show who have been a part of Father/Son Weekends, and it is always enjoyable to catch up.

Yates with the Funderburk’s

Raleigh show at the Funderburk’s home - all the boys in attendance, plus dads from Father/Son, alumni, and staff

George Edwards was one father who was part of Falling Creek in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. His son will be returning to camp in 2019, and they both came to the show in Raleigh to reconnect with everyone. Tor Ramsey, who has been involved in editing the camp movie several times since 2006, lives in Raleigh, and was also in attendance. Tor was the lead behind “Behold50,” the new 1 hour movie celebrating 5 decades at Falling Creek camp. You can find the link to this movie in the alumni section of the Falling Creek website. Tor did a great job as usual, and we suggest sitting down to watch this movie on your TV. Another thank you goes out to Sam and James Frushone, who are returning to Main camp in 2019 for their 6th summer. They both helped explain to the new families what boys camp at Falling Creek is about, and gave some insight into their summer experiences for new boys who came to learn more about FCC. James was the first Warrior ever in the F.A.R.M., one of Falling Creek’s newest programs that focuses on learning about sustainability, gardening, animals, and repurposing materials. Sam has 2 of his 3 Warrior waypoints, which is the highest level attainable in our programs. He is a Ranger in his 3rd, which is the level just below Warrior. To become a Journeyman, campers must first show proficiency in a variety of camp activities, and must have reached the level of Warrior in at least three programs to prove this. Sam is well on his way, and plans to focus on becoming a Journeyman in this coming 2019 summer. You can read more about this unique challenge and camp experience in our previous summer blogs about Journeymen during Main camp this past summer. Sam is excited about working towards his Journeyman status, and having a chance to complete his Journey to become a Keeper of The Flame in the future.

Yates with Sam and James Frushone in Raleigh

For following day on the 16th, we headed to Richmond, VA, the next stop on the Falling Creek Camp movies and reunion tour. Thanks to Sarah and Beau Hurst for hosting at their beautiful home. The 4 Hurst boys have been spending their summers at Falling Creek since 2007. They’re known for being big outdoorsmen, and especially avid whitewater paddlers. Wade Blackwood, who was a counselor at Falling Creek in the mid 90’s, brought his family to the movie show and reunion. His son Spencer is coming to Junior camp for his first Falling Creek experience this summer. Wade is the Executive Director of the American Canoe Association where Chris Stec, a former FCC counselor with Wade, and Program Director at FCC, is also on the ACA team as it’s Chief Operating Officer. Meade Whitaker was a camper and counselor in the 80’s and 90’s, and he drove over from Charlottesville, VA where he and his family live.

The great crew in Richmond, VA - all the boys in attendance, plus dads from Father/Son, alumni, and staff

Yates with Meade Whitaker

Steve and Kirki Fuller also came to the Hurst’s home, and their son Harrison is returning to main camp for summer 2019. Steve and Yates especially enjoyed reconnecting as they are fraternity brothers from their days at Appalachian State. Steve also took Yates out on the brand new mountain bike trails at Pocahontas State Park before the camp movies and reunion event.

Yates with Harrison, Kirki, & Steve Fuller

Cheerwine!!!

Enjoying pizza and friends at the Richmond, VA movie show and reunion

The final day of travel was this past Wednesday, October 17th. We made our way a little further north to Alexandria, VA, where Katie and David Woodruff hosted us at their beautiful home. Their sons Will and Charlie are main campers, and they joined with several other FCC campers in attendance to help tell the story of camp to new families.

The crew in Alexandria, VA! All the boys in attendance, plus dads from Father/Son, alumni, and staff

Friends at the Woodruff home for the Alexandria, VA movie show and reunion

It was also wonderful to reconnect with Mickey Herman, a 13-year camper, CIT, counselor, and previous assistant director at Falling Creek. Mickey finished law school recently at Wake Forest and is starting his new life as a lawyer in D.C. this month. Patrick Greenwood, a 3-year counselor at FCC, returned from coaching in Europe and came to the Woodruff home as well. He is now serving as a teacher and coach nearby. We are appreciative to them both for taking time to come and support Falling Creek! It was a beautiful night to share camp.
Thanks to everyone who came to the camp reunions and movie shows this week, and especially to the wonderful families who hosted. Whether it was our first time meeting you, or you are a long time friend and Falling Creeker, we loved getting the chance to see you all!

Yates with Mickey Herman and Patrick Greenwood in Alexandria, VA

Camp friends at the movie show and reunion in Alexandria, VA