Happy Independence Day from Camp Timberlake! The sun rose over the Blue Ridge Mountains on another exciting day at camp. But this was no ordinary day—today was a celebration of America’s Independence! We started the day with a breakfast of waffle sticks, blueberries, and strawberries (red, white, and blue!), followed by a patriotic Morning Yell. Austin S. (program staff) shared a True Story in chapel about how man is lost, but God comes and rescues us. After a thorough cabin clean up, it was on to our morning activities.

On the lake, Easton M. mastered his steering strokes in canoeing. At the backpacking hut, John B., Benjamin C., Trey D,, Jack G., Drew J., Morgan D., Charles P., Andres Q., Robert S., Charles V., Adam V., and Daniel V. practiced knots and setting up tarps. Christian M. learned his figured 8 follow through in climbing, which is one of the requirements for his bronze bar. On the paintball course, Nathan G., Ben S., Jeb S., and Quentin S. had an evenly matched game of 2v2 paintball. Today was a productive day on the basketball court. Campers learned new passing and shooting skills, and Drew J., Adam V., and David V. earned their bronze bars. Congrats!

After a delicious lunch of chicken fingers, “freedom” fries, and fresh fruit, the Sultan of Fun announced the winner of Pirateball last night: The Iroquois! The campers of the Iroquois tribe sang their tribal fight song and hymn in victory. Then the whole camp was treated to red white and blue popsicles to celebrate the 4th of July.

In addition to our in-camp activities, we had some campers out on some exciting trips. Miles S., Jake L., Spencer M., Andrew T., Max C., and Ben C. went on a kayaking trip to the Tuckaseegee. Gresham C, Greyson E, Trey O, Ben C, and Preston M went on a fly fishing trip today.

After a delicious dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, peas and brownies, tonight’s evening activity was announced: Cabin Night! This is a night where each cabin’s counselors plan activities for their campers to do as a cabin. The activities were as follows:

Huckleberry: Firefly catching, fire and s’mores

Finch’s Landing: Camp-wide Scavenger Hunt

Further Up: Campout at backpacking hut with s’mores and hot chocolate

Further In: Swimming at the Boyd’s pool

Little Piney: Archery Tag

Big Piney: Pancake cooking and games

Stomper’s Knob: Field games and late-night cereal

Little Slaty: Luau at the beach

Big Slaty: Whiffle Ball

Greybeard: Slip’n’Slide kickball

As I write this, the cabins are winding down their activities to close out another action-packed day at camp. Thank you for sharing your sons with us this summer.

Steven Menendez

Director, Program Operations

Proud Seminole