Where Sparks Fly and Confidence Grows

The sharp ring of a hammer striking red-hot iron; a spray of sparks shooting out from a well-placed strike; the earthy scent of burning coal from several traditional forges scattered around a timeless blacksmith shop. This could have been a scene from 150 years ago, but it happens every day right here at Falling Creek.

Blacksmithing at camp is more just than a novel skill to master; it’s a hands-on journey into craftsmanship, discipline, and creative grit.

Blacksmithing is my favorite activity at camp. It’s a great activity, and you really get to use your imagination and creativity.

-camper John P., Nashville, TN

Old-world skills at a modern mountaintop camp

Blacksmithing is one of Falling Creek’s five in-camp special sign-up activities, meaning that boys sign up to spend a full morning or afternoon devoted to the forge.

Replacing his three regular activities for half a day, he heads up the hill from the center of camp to the Blacksmithing shop — a small, tucked-away area shaded by trees and set apart just enough to feel like its own world. There, dedicated counselors guide him through each step of the process.

The culture of the Blacksmithing activity is partly a product of where the forge is and how it’s set up. Being on its own a bit apart from the rest of camp is cool to the campers – it makes smithing feel a bit like an adventure trip without having to leave camp.

– Bryson Clouse, Hendersonville, NC

Hammer, anvil, fire – and patience!

For many campers, the forge is a place of deep concentration and quiet effort. There are no shortcuts when it comes to blacksmithing. It’s hands-on, sweaty, sometimes frustrating — and totally rewarding.

Boys are taught to work carefully and methodically, problem-solve as they go, and persist through the learning curve.

It’s not just about making something. It’s about the process: the heat, the hammering, the precision, the satisfaction of doing something ancient and hard and real.

It’s cool to create things you can actually use.

– camper Jude M., Mountain Brook, AL

From first sparks to finished project

Campers learn how to heat and shape metal safely and gradually progress to create simple but stunning objects like arrowheads, J-hooks and ornamental leaves. The Blacksmithing activity’s five-step progression system guides him through a series of projects that increase in complexity and required skill.

When you’ve been to Blacksmithing a few times and you have made a few of the projects, you can really see how much you’ve progressed. My favorite project was an arrowhead with my dad’s initials on it that I gave him for Father’s Day.

– camper Asher D., Charlotte, NC