Alpine offers a large variety of activities to suit any boy’s interest. We mix in just the right amount of fun and games with appropriate skill and instruction. Boys can sharpen current skills and learn some new skills. As boys get older more advanced activities are made available each year at appropriate age levels (i.e. mountain biking, weight lifting, cross country running). It is the sole responsibility of the parent to notify Alpine if your son is not allowed to participate in any activity. Otherwise, boys will automatically be allowed to participate when they reach the appropriate age level.
Personal sports equipment is not required for any activity. Campers may choose to bring their personal equipment, such as a tennis racquet, lacrosse stick, or baseball glove. Each camper is solely responsible for his own gear and we recommend not bringing highly valuable gear.
Junior Camp
During Junior Camp, campers participate in 5 camp activities. Please see our Junior Camp Activity List for a full list of activities offered during Junior Camp. Please note that not all activities are available to every age group. Junior Campers sign up for activities online. Parents will receive a sign up email in the spring with information about activity sign up.
In addition to the five daily activities, we offer numerous other activities each night during Twilight Games and Night Program. Plus, all campers will have a chance to swim in the cool, crisp waters of Little River during the term if they would like, even if they don’t take waterfront.
First & Second Term
During First and Second Term, campers participate in 10 camp activities and Team Sports. Please see our Master Activity List for a full list of activites offered during First and Second Terms. Please note that not all activities are available to every age group. First and Second term campers sign up for activities on Opening Day.
Horsemanship
In addition to our traditional horseback riding program, four-week campers who have finished the 6th grade or higher will have the opportunity to participate in our Horsemanship Program. In this program each camper will receive two hours of small group instruction three days a week covering riding skill, grooming, saddling, horse care, and stable management from certified Camp Horsemanship Association instructors. There will be an additional $90.00 charge for this program. This fee is fully refundable in case of cancellation. This program is limited to 50 campers per session, and campers are accepted into the program on a first come, first serve basis.
If your camper participates in any horseback program, he must bring 1 pair of riding boots – shoes or boots with a hard, smooth sole and a definite heel (not sneakers, duck shoes, hiking boots or boots with a deep ridged tread or sandals). Campers will not be allowed to participate in any horseback program without proper shoes.
Special Trips
Rappelling
Warriors (rising 7th graders) are eligible to go on a rappelling trip. This is a half-day cabin outing set up exclusively for the Warriors. They have a blast; it’s one of the highlights of the Warrior year! Higher Ground, a professional guiding outfit based in Rome, GA with a similar mission to Alpine, will provide staff for these trips. One of our staff will also accompany the group. Higher Ground requires a waiver for each camper who participates in the rappelling trips. Campers will not be allowed to participate without a signed waiver.
Rock Climbing
All Braves and Chiefs (rising 8th, 9th and 10th graders) who participate in the Climbing activity at Alpine will have the option of going on a full day rock climbing adventure at Sand Rock, on Lookout Mountain, several miles from camp. This always proves to be a wonderful day for the boys as they receive helpful climbing “hints” from our climbing instructors and a member of Higher Ground USA. Higher Ground is a professional guiding outfit based in Rome, GA with a similar mission to Alpine. For a boy to participate in a climbing trip, he must take Climbing as an activity in his camp schedule, and his parents must sign and return a waiver.
Whitewater Rafting
We offer various trips to our different age groups here at camp; however boys may only participate in the trip that involves their age group. The Warriors are headed to the Nantahala River for a wonderful whitewater rafting trip and the Braves and 1st Year Chiefs will be rafting the challenging Ocoee River in southeastern Tennessee. Please note that a waiver is REQUIRED by the Nantahala Outdoor Center for boys going on both of these trips.
We have chosen the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for our major river trips because of the tremendous service they provide and wonderful experience that they afford our campers. We feel that the NOC offers the most competent whitewater service in the southeastern United States. NOC will not allow anyone to participate on a whitewater trip unless they have a signed waiver from their parent or guardian. Waivers will be available in your son’s Forms and Documents section in the spring.
Second Year Chief Backpacking Trip
Second Year Chiefs (rising 10th graders) participate in a moderate, four-day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in western North Carolina. This is a highlight of the boys’ time at Alpine and a culmination experience for their final year as a camper. They are accompanied by their cabin counselors and professional guides from Higher Ground in Rome, Georgia who will lead the trip.
They will complete their trip by paddling “duckies” (inflatable kayaks) on the beautiful Nantahala River in western North Carolina. Please note that waivers are REQUIRED by the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Higher Ground for boys going on this trip. The waivers will be available in your son’s Forms and Documents section in the spring.
We will send out a ‘What to Bring List’ for the backpacking trip in a separate email.
Trip Day
During First and Second Terms, every age group at camp takes a day trip on a chartered bus. Rising 3rd and 4th graders enjoy a day out in Chattanooga at Rock City, High Point Climbing Gym and an IMAX movie. Our rising 5th graders travel to Atlanta for an adventurous day at the College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium. Rising 6th graders spend the day at Dollywood amusement park. Rising 7th graders) will raft the Nantahala River guided by the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Rising 8th and 9th graders will raft the Ocoee River, also guided by the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We will notify you prior to Opening Day if your son’s trip requires special permission or waivers. All Campers will go on a trip unless a parent informs camp they are not allowed to participate.
Before boarding buses boys are offered non-drowsy Bonine (meclizine) in age appropriate doses, for motion sickness. No boy is required to take Bonine.
