Because Camp Highlander was founded nearly 50 years ago, we have a vast community of alumni. Each month, we’ll spotlight one outstanding former camper or staff member who attributes some of their post-camp success to their experiences and lessons learned while at camp.
When Bryan Beck left for his first summer at Camp Highlander in 1996 at the age of nine, he wasn’t nervous. He had his two siblings by his side, just in case he became a little homesick. A self-admitted shy kid, he soon discovered that the friendly Highlander staff and his fellow cabin mates made him feel completely at ease – and he was hooked. Just as the mountain had positively affected so many others before him, he knew there was something special about Camp Highlander. Beck went on to spend eight summers at camp – six as a camper, one as a CIT (Counselor in Training) and one as an activity counselor. He attributes much of his personal and professional success to his time at Camp Highlander.
Beck (center with black bandana) and the Camp Highlander staff participate in the Port Royal evening program (c. 2010).
Bryan Beck grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, where he first heard of Camp Highlander after attending a Pine Crest School camp meeting with his parents. For several years, he attended Camp Highlander and enjoyed having the opportunity to explore many new activities as well as one of his true passions: Art. After graduating from Spanish River High School, he went on to earn an Associate in Fine Arts in Glass from Salem Community College in Carney’s Point, New Jersey in 2009, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass from Jacksonville University in 2012.
A Camp Highlander camper gets a one-on-one lesson from Beck on how to create glass beads (c. 2010).
Beck reconnected with Camp Highlander in 2010 while attending an alumni reunion, and few months later, he found himself returning to camp as the Beadmaking Activity Counselor. He was given a budget to manage and he had the freedom to develop projects that provided campers with a truly unique artistic opportunity. Beck recalls that this was his first experience teaching others the art of beadmaking. “It was my first time speaking with kids firsthand. I was doing demonstrations and teaching. It was a huge eye opener and it definitely improved my skills,” he said. “I had to keep things fresh and creative, so I came up with 10 different activities. The role definitely built up my confidence.”
Beck vividly remembers being a camper at Camp Highlander and how that experience also developed his confidence. “Highlander helped me come out of my shell. I was always a pretty shy kid growing up … camp made it OK to do silly things and not care how people reacted.”
Glassblowing in action. Beck creates beautiful glass art on a daily basis.
These days, Beck is a glassblower at America’s oldest art glass company, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, based in Kokomo, Indiana. He utilizes his talent to make all types of glass products, from paperweights and bowls to vases and abstract sculptures. A member of the Glass Arts Society, Beck has also sold several of his own custom glass pieces. Beck also plays drums in his band, Ostrich.
Camp Highlander and the western North Carolina mountains had a profound effect on Bryan Beck’s life. He still spends time in western North Carolina at Christmas every year with his family; His parents purchased land near Asheville when he and his siblings were campers at Highlander. He believes the area is one of the most appealing in the country. “I would really love to live there someday.”
Our Alumni Spotlight focuses on Camp Highlander alumni who have utilized skills learned at camp to excel in their adult life. If you — or someone you know — has gone on to achieve goals and can attribute some of that success to experiences at camp, please email your contact information and a brief summary to .