Today we enjoyed another beautiful Timberlake Thursday! The day began with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and delicious lemon poppyseed muffins. After breakfast and one of the loudest Morning Yells I’ve heard in a while, the boys ran to the chapel to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ and our beloved Camp Hymn. Winston H. shared a story about how Jesus rescues us from our sins. The junior camp overnight backpacking trip returned from Huskin’s Branch, which sounded like an awesome trip filled with memories and s’mores. Campers headed up to their cabins for cabin cleanup, and then to first period soon after. Noah P., Jack V., Ryker R., Quinn B., Banks P., and Henry O. left for the first overnight kayak-mountain biking trip of the summer! Today they kayaked the Nantahala River, and tomorrow they will hit the trails at Tsali.

During morning activities, campers excelled in many ways on land and in the water. Down at Lake Newcomb, Henry L. caught a massive bass in fishing class, and Luke B. did his first ‘roll’ in kayaking class. Up at the chapel, guitar class learned how to play ‘I like Bananas,’ and at the Ridgeline, Elliot A. got his moves down for bronze and silver in mountain biking.

The campers definitely worked up an appetite in their activities this morning for lunch—sloppy joes and curly fries (the best form of potato). The Golden Eagles cheered loudly for their victory in evening activity last night, El Presidente.

Feeling satisfied from lunch and well rested from rest time, the campers went to free time for more fun with friends. Huckleberry, Finch’s Landing, Further Up and Further In hopped into the lake for a free swim. Clark F. and Charlie T. got to perfect their form on the rope swing into the lake. Charlie B. hosted a singles pickleball tournament for Turtleback during free time and won!

In afternoon activities, campers in backpacking class worked on earning a bronze bar towards their next Little Chief promotion. At the ranges, Wyatt M. accomplished his first grouping towards his silver bar in riflery, and Lewis S. and Barret G. earned their bronze bar in archery. Thomas H. practiced his race dive in swimming class, and Wills W. swam a fast 50-meter freestyle to count towards his gold bar in swimming. George S., Luke T., RH B., James B., Dakota M., Matthew D. and Liam M. got to venture outside of camp to trail run in Swannanoa, N.C.

Feeling accomplished and excited for the evening, the boys headed to dinner. After a meal of sweet chili chicken, rice, egg rolls, and lemon bars for dessert, Archie D. and Teddy O. showed off their acting skills in the newest Timberlake skit. John announced tonight’s evening activity, Battle for Middle Earth! Tonight the boys at Timberlake were the first to play this new Lord of the Rings-themed tribal game between the Golden Eagles and Black Bears. It seemed to be a major success, and we cannot wait to find out which tribe won tomorrow.

The Timberlake campers were smiling big as they ran and played all day long. From activities to free time, the boys’ Thursday was filled with unique camp adventures time with friends. We are all excited for another wonderful day at Timberlake tomorrow!

Claire Haley

Waterfront Director

Timberwoman and Proud Red Wolf