This year, we celebrate our 60th anniversary on Old Forge Mountain. We have thousands of Camp Highlander alumni all over the world, many of whom have continued the Highlander tradition within their families. Each month, we’ll profile one family who has come to the mountain for generations and experienced the magic and long-lasting positive effects of camp.
Our family in the spotlight this month are the Bloomsters. Marni Share Bloomster attended Camp Highlander as a camper from 1979-87, and then returned in 1989 to join the CH staff. She has also started an annual tradition of attending Family Camp with her two sons, Nick and Andrew. Nick has also been a camper for sessions B & C the past two summers. Marni explains how Camp Highlander has made a tremendous impact on her life, and now her children’s lives.
What has Camp Highlander meant to you?
Highlander has meant so much to me throughout my life. I started camp at seven years old and because I was so young, I feel like I learned a lot about friendships and forming relationships at Highlander. I learned to be independent, strong, and how to be trustworthy and a good friend. My years at Highlander opened me up to so many new adventures and life changing experiences that still impact me today.
Even after all these years, every time I go back to the mountain I get that feeling of excitement and anticipation of what new memories will be made. Being there gives me a sense of peace and comfort and an escape from the real world. The mountain holds such a special place in my heart. I know I would not be the person I am today without my years at Highlander. There really is “more to this mountain.”
I love the feeling I get every time I turn up Mills River Road and watching the signal disappear from my phone! I love being disconnected from the stress of everyday life and feeling the peacefulness of the mountain. I really feel home when I am at Highlander and I love passing this part of me on to my kids.
A piece of my heart is at Highlander.
How have you seen your children grow from the camp experience?
When we started at Family Camp all those years ago, I was just excited to see my kids experience all the activities that I experienced as a kid. And they did, but it became more than that. I can see them leaving behind their stress from home and escaping into the calm of the mountain. They step out of their comfort zone and try new things they never have before.
The past couple of years that my son has been a camper at Highlander have really had a positive impact on him. He has become more independent and has more self-confidence than he had before.
What are your favorite memories of camp?
Wow – there are so many! Of course, my favorite time was always Color War and if you don’t know – White Knights are #1 and don’t you forget it! I loved rock climbing, rafting down the Nantahala and tubing down the Mills. The Evening Programs were always a blast! Square dances and Monte Carlo are two iconic EPs that are still going today. And of course Campfires! Those were always the best! I still get chills hearing There’s More to this Mountain and Goin’ Home. Those were such amazing times!
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How have you seen camp evolve through the years?
I love how camp has evolved over the years while not really changing too much. I often joke with the other alumni from my generation about how “safe” everything has gotten at camp while when we were there it was much different. But I definitely appreciate all the safety measures that have been made to keep the kids safe. Especially now that my kids are there! I love the additions of Reflect at the Rock, the Crow’s Nest and definitely the newly renovated cabins.
It is so special that the owners and management – even with all the new additions – have made sure that Highlander still has the same charm and rustic beauty that it had all those years ago!
Are you attending the Camp Highlander Alumni Reunion?
I am really hoping to go to the reunion again this year. I was at the reunion two years ago and it was so much fun! I loved reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in years and meeting so many others that share my love for Highlander. I am really trying to work it out to be able to get up there again in September!
Register for the 2017 Alumni Reunion today!
Anything else you’d like to add about camp and your experience?
The friendships I made at Highlander are lifelong friendships. No one really understands the draw to the mountain unless you were lucky enough to experience it for yourself. I thank Highlander for these friendships and allowing me to escape to my mountain home every year even if it’s just for a weekend. I want to thank Karl, Shelley, Melissa, Gaynell, Mac, Beth and all the management at Highlander for keeping our mountain home alive and thriving. I am so grateful that my kids have the opportunity to experience what I did as a kid during my summers at Highlander.
One Love!
Did you attend Camp Highlander as a camper or work as staff and now you send your kids to CH? Tell us your story! Email CH alum, today, and you could be our next Highlander Family Spotlight!
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