It’s finally here! After 294 days of waiting Camp Timberlake is officially back in session. Summer 2024 is off and running and it is sure to be our best summer yet. This morning the day dawned clear and bright and as the gates opened, cars of eager campers streamed onto property to begin another summer of friends and adventure. We watched old friendships rekindling and new friendships beginning as boys met their counselors and cabinmates and began settling into their cabins. 

After unpacking, each cabin enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading down to beautiful Lake Newcomb for a dip. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the water felt great as the guys all completed their swim checks so that they could be ready to enjoy the blob, rope swing, low jump, high jump and our new deep water solo climbing wall which stands over the water. 

Next on the docket was tribal initiation! We have two tribes here at camp, the powerful golden eagles and the mighty black bears. Each night the tribes compete in legendary games that count toward the ultimate prize, the banner. The banner has been fought over for many years, and whichever tribe emerges victorious will have its name written down in history as champions. 

Besides being a lot of fun, tribes are extremely important to the culture here at Timberlake. Not only do they immediately give a new camper a sense of belonging within their new tribe (imagine being here only a few hours and already having something really special in common with half the camp) but it also gives us a great opportunity to teach and model good sportsmanship and healthy competition. This afternoon we initiated a fantastic group of new warriors, faithful to their tribe. 

Our new Black Bears are: Tobias C, Reid C, Sam G, Adams H, Warren L, Andrew M, Eli R, Gus S, Samuel S, Teddy S, Jude W and Camp M

Our new Golden Eagles are: Charles A, Talton A, William B, Harrison B, Spencer B, Andrew C, David D, Erik D, Jack D, Luke H, Hudson H, Alexander S, Dakota M and Roman R F

After initiation we headed to the dining hall (we call it “The Tuck”) for a delicious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with sides of broccoli and breadsticks. After dinner we got a chance to talk with everybody about the rules of camp, and how they help us create a safe, happy and fun environment here at Timberlake. Then it was time for the main event…Sock War!

Sock War is the first of our tribal competitions and it is essentially a giant capture the flag game where players throw socks at each other to tag their opponent. It’s a camp classic and it did not disappoint tonight. The contest was too close to call, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow at lunch to find out who came out on top. 

As the sun sets on the first day here at camp it’s hard to imagine how a day could get any better, and yet we know that today is only the beginning! Bigger adventures, more epic games, deeper friendships and more fun is on the horizon! Please be sure to check back in each night to hear all about it, and thanks so much for sharing your sons with us this summer. 

Until tomorrow, 

John

Director, Camp Timberlake

Proud Golden Eagle.