The truth is
I would not have become the person I am today without RRR!
Making decisions for classes at 7 years old (with the help
of a big sister and Rue as my counselor), remembering to wear
your bathing suit under your jeans so you could go from the
barn to the pool without the dreaded trip back to your cabin,
remembering not to sign up for your pool class right before
horseback … I could go on and on. The mistakes we made
there were safe and there was a support system to catch you
if you fell.
Later I enjoyed working with the campers younger than me.
First in WE as a big sister myself and later as a CIT Mom.
In 14 years I grew and strengthened my commitment to myself.
I felt loved unconditionally and I formed everlasting friendships.
Some of them recently re-kindled after a 15-20 year gap as
if no time had passed at all. In the last year I received
a letter from a former CIT that spoke of my influence on her
life. How it made her a better mother and a better woman.
I have saved that letter for my children to read one day.
I will always feel like Skeet and Sandy helped raise me and
they always saw the person I could be! I can never thank them
enough for that.
Sunni Becker Markowitz
Years at camp: 1974-1988 |
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Summer
Camp for Girls 7-14 |
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Mary "Skeet"
Anderson
Co-Owner
Mary earned her degree in Elementary
Education from Texas Tech University and was Field Director
for the Girl Scouts for 17 years before joining the RRR staff
in 1966. Her experience has proven an excellent background for
working effectively with children in camping activities. She,
along with Sandy Bateman, purchased Rocky River in 1971 with
a clear goal in mind — to continue the magical traditions
that were built so lovingly by founders, Carol "Mama"
Knolk and Jane Brown. Skeet’s enthusiasm and excitement
for the experience of camp is clearly contagious to her cherished
campers.
Email: skeet@rockyriverranch.com |
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Rue Hatfield
Co-owner
As Skeet’s niece, Rue literally
knows camp from the ground up. She has been a Rocky River camper,
counselor, Assistant Director and Director. She has now stepped
into the mentoring roll of Executive Director and has taken
Rocky River to the next level, creating a team of Directors
that will ensure the enduring spirit of Rocky River for many,
many years to come. Rue earned her Bachelors degree in Child
Development from Texas Tech University and her Masters in Education
from Texas State and taught both kindergarten and second grade.
Her never-ending love and respect for children are the basis
for the continuing success of Rocky River Ranch.
Email: rue@rockyriverranch.com |
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Shanna
Watson
Summer Camp Director
Shanna joined the Rocky River family in 2003, bringing her vast
camping experience with her. Her camping career started while
she was earning her BA in Child Development from the University
of Texas. She spent her summers at John Knox Ranch where she
was a counselor, Trip Leader, CIT Director, and eventually became
the Assistant Camp Director. Before coming to RRR she spent
time as the Director of YMCA camps and worked with teen girls
at a Texas Wilderness Program. Shanna was a member of the ACA
Texoma board for six years, serving as the Vice President of
Education. Shanna is dedicated to hiring, training and supervising
the amazing summer staff and works year-round planning RRR programs.
Email: shanna@rockyriverranch.com |
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Christen Steen
Office Manager
 Christen
Steen joined the Rocky River Family in 2009. Having gone to
camp as a child, Christen understands the value of the camp
experience and is dedicated to providing a postive experience
for all RRR campers. Christen is originally from Amarillo, TX
and as a 5th generation Texan she has a passion for animals
and the outdoors. Christen graduated from Texas A&M, class
of ’00, with a degree in Architecture. Spending many years
in Real Estate, camping never left her blood and she loves working
in the camp environment. Most of the year Christen manages the
camp office and handles registration for all of our sessions.
During the summer, Christen will be acting as Assistant Director.
Email: info@rockyriverranch.com |
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| Counselors |
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students and graduates are carefully screened for counselor
positions. Applicants who exhibit strong leadership qualities,
personality, teaching abilities, patience and sincere
desire to help campers learn new skills and inspire them
to be valuable members of society, are chosen. We select
counselors with training and experience in working with
children as well as skills to share with them. |
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We feel
it is important that counselors enjoy and understand
children, are good role models, work well with other
adults and enjoy the out-of-doors.
Our counselors share a sense of joy
in the camping experience... from participation to leadership.
We understand the importance of choosing most carefully
the people who will help provide a child the experience
of a lifetime.
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Many of
our counselors are “home-grown” and understand
the Rocky River philosophy and way of life from personal
experience.
Campers between the ages of 13 and 16 are encouraged
to participate in our special leadership program. Participation
in this program, from Trainee to Counselor-in-Training
to Junior Counselor, teaches valuable leadership skills
that they will use for the rest of their lives. |
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