Dear Parents and Campers,

2010 promises yet another exciting summer rock climbing in North Carolina with Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School.  We ran compelling and frenetic programs in 2009, we were inspired by an enthusiastic cadre of campers and students, and we heard the feedback that many students want to continue their journeys with more advanced instruction in more complex terrain using more complicated tools and techniques

There are a few exciting developments this summer with Fox Mountain Guides Summer Camps.  First, we will be running four camp sessions this year: two open enrollment camps, one family camp, and one advanced camp for returning campers or more experienced rock climbers.  Our open enrollment camps have been a continual success for the last five years.  We have a curriculum, itinerary, and logistics plan that are proven, camper-approved, and without comparison amongst rock climbing summer programs.  Open enrollment sessions are open to 13-18 year old campers of any skill or experience level.  By the end of the session, campers will have experienced the spectrum of rock climbing’s technical systems, cultural norms, and scenic majesty.  Our family camp offers parents the opportunity to attend camps with their campers.  The itinerary is designed to prepare family climbing teams to climb as a unit, become more independent with climbing set ups and systems, and provide a matchless schedule of excitement and adventure.  Campers attending camp with their parents can be as young as 10, and we invite parents of all ages to attend.  Our advanced camp is a new offering in 2010.  Returning campers, or experienced rock climbers with traditional lead climbing experience, can expect an exciting curriculum that picks up where our open enrollment sessions leave off.  We will focus on improving a camper’s lead climbing ability, onsight ability in sport, toproping, trad, and bouldering, and teaching self-rescue skills.

We are also excited about our staffing this summer.  Lindsay Fixmer, fulltime Fox Mountain Guide, will be helping me Co-direct the first two sessions of the summer, then taking the mantle as the summer camps director for the last two sessions.  Many returning campers will remember Lindsay’s energy and enthusiasm from bouldering circuits, the ultimate Frisbee field, and multipitch outings.  She is a practiced and skilled climbing instructor, an amazing rock climber herself, and boasts a winning repertoire of movie quotes and stories.  Lindsay has spent the majority of her formative years working with youth climbing programs, overnight trips and expeditions, and summer camps.  I couldn’t imagine a better choice to help our campers navigate their earliest climbing experiences.  Additionally, we will have the support and company of two new Fox Mountain Guide Interns.  So, our camper to staff ratio will be the lowest in the summer camp industry.  We are excited to keep things moving, keep the schedule flowing efficiently, and devote individual attention and feedback to each camper’s experience.

I hope we will see you in North Carolina this summer.  If you are returning  or joining us for the first time, FMG Summer Camps promise to continue our tradition of cutting-edge and innovative climbing instruction, beautiful and inspiring summer days in the Pisgah National Forest, and some of the best rock-grappling, trad-tripping, and crack-crushing climbing adventures in the lower 48.  We can’t wait to show you!

Sincerely,

Ron E. Funderburke

FMG Summer Camps Director