Closing days are always bittersweet here at camp and today was no different as we waved goodbye to all our 3B campers this morning. It has been a fantastic summer and we were really sad to see so many great guys go, but happily we know that it is just a temporary goodbye and the countdown to summer 2024 is already on!

Family reunions on closing day are always special, but I think my favorite part as a director is hearing the boys talk about what they are most proud of from their session of camp. These Timberlakers grew a ton over the past few weeks and it is something we here on staff are grateful to be a part of. 

This morning we recognized an honor camper for each cabin as well as our tribal leaders. 

Our honor campers were:

Huckleberry- Eddie K

Finch’s Landing- Liles F

Further Up- SJ G

Further In- Alex M

Hawksbill- John H

Turtleback- Rivers G

Little Piney- Bennett J

Big Piney- Matthew H

Little Slaty- Radford W

Big Slaty- Declan Q

Greybeard- Oliver M

Our tribal leaders for Third session were:

Golden Eagles- Thomas M, Radford W, Liam T, and Tommy F

Black Bears- Ford B, Will S, Steele G and Will N

We also made the most anticipated announcement of the session, the Third session banner winner. Drumroll please…the Black Bears! Congratulations to this session’s Black Bears, who have now added their names to the history books here at Timberlake. 

It is always bittersweet to close out a summer. As directors, Catherine and I are proud to see our amazing staff finish strong, and to see the smiles on both parents and campers faces, as the boys walk a little taller, stand a little straighter and smile a little more confidently after their time at Timberlake. But it is not without sadness that we wave goodbye to so many amazing campers and their families. We can hardly wait to have everybody back next summer. 

Catherine and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity we have each summer to serve here at Timberlake and work with your sons. Thank you again for sharing them with us and see you next summer!

John