Alumni-based invest group purchases Camp Rockmont

Lake Eden Preserve acquires historic 580-acre property

The Valley Echo
September 30, 2021

Camp Rockmont, which was founded in Black Mountain in 1956, has been purchased by alumni-based ownership group, Lake Eden Preserve, LLC. Photo by Fred McCormick

Camp Rockmont, a Christian camp for boys that has operated in Black Mountain since 1956, has been acquired by an alumni-based investment company. 

Lake Eden Preserve, LLC, an ownership group composed of more than 70 alumni, parents and friends of the camp, will now operate the 580-acre facility. 

The historic property on which Camp Rockmont was founded was originally developed by E.W. Grove, founder of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, and later served as the campus of Black Mountain College, an experimental college that emphasized holistic learning and the study of the arts.

Preserving the camp’s historic grounds and supporting the spirit and legacy of Camp Rockmont through cultivating meaningful experiences for future generations are the key elements of the new ownership group’s mission, according to a Sept. 28 statement from Lake Eden Preserve. 

“This is a labor of love,” Chair of the Board of Managers Tom Woodard said. “Everyone involved has a deep commitment to Camp Rockmont, and to this incredible property. We all saw the need to ensure that Camp Rockmont thrives as a Christian summer camp for boys for future generations, and that the property is maintained and enhanced for the enjoyment of those who have a connection with the property.”

“We are humbled by the opportunity to be the new stewards of Camp Rockmont, and immensely appreciative of the rich tradition we inherit,” said Chuck Flournoy, general manager of Lake Eden Preserve, LLC. “We celebrate the accomplishments of the families who have owned, loved and cared for this place for the past 35 years. They are wonderful friends who many of us attended camp and worked with on the Rockmont staff. We are happy that they have chosen to become members of LEP too.”

“It has been a privilege and blessing to have been a part of the team that has shepherded Rockmont’s growth these past 35 years,” R. David Bruce said on behalf of the former owners. “I am proud of what has been accomplished and of the number of lives that have been impacted during this time. I’m especially pleased with who will take the mission forward. It includes many of Rockmont’s best, brightest, and most passionate alumni.”

Members of Lake Eden Preserve are able to use the facilities for their own enjoyment when it is not in use by the camp or for other rental purposes.

Details of the transaction are not publicly available.

Lake Eden Preserve is still accepting applications from interested investors with ties to Camp Rockmont and the property, as a limited number of the initial 300 shares offered remain.