If you’ve been following along here on the TimberTales blog, you’ve probably noticed that we have trips that leave camp property every day. Our mission here at camp is for every camp to grow through friendship and adventure, and getting the chance to go off property into the epic wilderness that surrounds us here in Western North Carolina is one of the best ways we can help our campers live into that mission. Friendships are forged in a different way out on the trail and there’s no adventure like a wilderness adventure. 

Today was a particularly epic day for trips so I thought I’d let those wilderness adventures take center stage this evening. 

First we had our “man trip” return to property today. Charlie A, Harrison W, John David A and Chance S got to spend 3 days and 2 nights out on the trail hiking the Cat Gap Loop and drinking in the beautiful wilderness of John’s Rock. Spectacular views were enjoyed, delicious camp stove dinners were concocted, and all 4 guys came back with full beards! (almost). It was a trip to remember and a tremendous accomplishment for those guys. 

We also had an intrepid band of kayakers return from the Nantahala river where they had spent two days and one night competing against other camps in the annual “Camp Cup.” Teddy M, Ford B, Gavin W, Graham W and Jack V distinguished themselves in the races and had a blast along the way. They made Timberlake proud!

Also on the river today were some whitewater rafters. Max R, Simeon S, Jack L, Liam L, Jack H, Davin G, Thomas C, Owen T, Ben P and Aubrey S took on Section 9 of the French Broad river and had a blast paddling through a series of class 2 and class 3 rapids. 

But wait there’s more! We also had a group of younger nautical adventures take a canoeing trip in our voyager canoe today. The voyager is a giant canoe that can seat up to ten people and teaches teamwork like nothing else. Today, James H, Noah B, Drew D, Bram O, and Sam G took the voyager to Lake James for some paddling and even some cliff jumping. Word on the street is that Sam G nailed a sweet backflip. 

But the water wasn’t the only place junior camp was crushing it today, as a group of younger guys took a rock climbing trip to the Chimmneys in Linville Gorge. A great spot for a first outdoor climbing experience, Harris N, Will M, Aaron C, Charlie W, Jack G, Luke H, Francesco P, Neal C, Dillon O, Eli M, Hays D, and Peyton N all rocked out and nailed some single pitch cragging. 

And if you think adventure only happened on the trips, think again! This afternoon we had 4 teams of four campers each take on the Adventure Race here on property. The Adventure Race is a 3.5 hours challenge course that takes place all over camp property. It involves numerous different challenges both physical and mental, some of which include solving riddles, building and piloting a raft across the lake and archery and riflery shoot offs. Our competitors were, James A, Oliver R, Giancarlo Z, Ryan S, Hayden C, Charlie D, Elliot D, Pace L, Brodie B, Evan B, Jack W, Will P, Rhett C, Timmy M, Sam O and Wait M. All four teams did amazing, but the winning time belonged to Hayden C, Charlie D, Elliott D and Pace L. 

Also in camp today, boys worked hard to finish up their bars in activities as we continue to race to the finish here at Timberlake. The Golden Eagle and Black Bears are currently competing in a tight game of Search and Destroy. Tune in tomorrow to find out who won!

Until next time, 

John

Director, Camp Timberlake

Former Climbing counselor

Adventure Race Architect

Proud Golden Eagle