With the start of session 1B just past, our campers have begun to settle into their activities and cabins – but the fun is only just beginning! Every camper has had the chance to try out all of their new activities and get just a taste of what we offer here at Camp Timberlake. Everywhere you look, you see nothing but kids with big smiles engaging in fierce and friendly competition! Now that we’re done with safety talks and preliminary learning, the actual fun in every activity and aspect of camp life is in full swing!

Today started like any other, Reveille sounding at 7:00 am sharp and some cabin counselors shouting: “Wake up (insert cabin name here), it’s a new day!” This wakeup call has been around since this counselor turned author was a camper and our staff are very keen on keeping the tradition going. After this, campers all hustled on down to a classic breakfast of pancakes and sausage patties! It’s the amazing and nutritious meals offered every day that keep our boys fueled and able to go 24/7! 

We sent out several trips today including a Timberlake/Merri-Mac archery tournament, a classic kayaking trip down the Lower Green, a fly fishing trip, and finally, an overnight backpacking trip solely for junior camp! At the archery tournament, Timberlake took home the win with a very impressive score of 1892-1549! While all of our competitors (Ryker R., Barrett C., David F., Henry O., Case M., Banks P., Harrison C., and Aubrey S.) did incredible and absolutely killed it, our top scorers were David F. (262/300), Barrett C. (255/300), and Case M. (248/300). On the kayaking trip, Sam J., Luke B., Luke S., Sean A., William F., and William M. did not hesitate to absolutely send it! For a less strenuous but no less fun trip, Liam M., Barron P., Shep R., Fitch W., Eli F., and Holden B. spent the day on the river fly fishing. Finally, the bravest of the brave in junior camp put themselves out there tonight and took off on an overnight backpacking trip and will be returning back tomorrow!

On property today, we had some amazing accomplishments all around camp! Campers this morning enjoyed their Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes all over camp this morning after chapel and cabin cleanup. Cabin cleanup was particularly successful for some and less so for others. Despite some rather unfortunate scores received by some cabins, two landed on top of them all. Big Piney and Tiger Tooth both received perfect 10’s today! This is the first 10 for Tiger Tooth in 1B but miraculously is the third in a row for Big Piney! Having set themselves as the current dominant force in cabin cleanup this session, Big Piney sits with a very comfortable lead. 

Lunch today was a fan favorite of cheese and pepperoni pizza! Two campers managed to down 24 slices this afternoon in what had to be close to a camp record. 

This afternoon, two Greybearders (Sam C. and Jack V.) completed the monumental final requirement for their wrestling gold: the Deerslayer. This is a feat only a very small handful of campers will ever accomplish and these two received a very deserving standing ovation during dinner! This applause only briefly interrupted the very delicious meal of pork loin, potatoes, and peas with the option of soft tacos at the neighborhood tables! 

The day was rounded out with a fan favorite evening activity: El Presidente! This rank based flag pulling game never fails to get the camp rumbling with excitement and fun! As we wrap up our days here at camp, we’re often reminded of how lucky us staff are to have this time together and with the amazing campers we get year after year. Check in tomorrow for another daily update!

Jack Dutton

Golden Eagle