Session Three is officially underway! Today was a picture perfect day to kick off what is sure to be an incredible session here at Timberlake. Our mission here at camp is growth through friends and adventure. We believe that at a traditional overnight camp, boys have a unique opportunity to grow in exponential ways. At Timberlake, they have the chance to not only make friends that end up feeling more like brothers, but they also learn how to build strong relationships, a skill that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Additionally, we believe that adventure grows us in a way few other things can. We are made to take on new challenges, try things we may not be good at, maybe even fail at first, but then to persevere and try again with the encouragement of good friends and counselors. And while all that lies ahead in a big way this session, Catherine and I got to see microcosms of that mission playing out all day today. 

At check in, we watched old friends exchange greetings and new friends say hello for the first time. At tribal initiation, all our new campers were welcomed into one of our two tribes here at Timberlake: the Powerful Golden Eagles and the Mighty Black Bears. Tribes not only give us an avenue to teach and model healthy competition, but they also create a strong sense of belonging and togetherness right away for all our first year and returning campers. Today we initiated a great group of new warriors, faithful to their tribe. 

Our new Golden Eagles are: Grayson A, Micah A, Heath B, Pick D, Weston E, Andrew G, Wesley G, Henry L, Blake M, Cormic P, Ian P, Teddy P, Sawyer S, Charles S, Parker S, James N, and Owen M

Our new Black Bears are: Alex C, Grant C, Max C, Christian C, Arthur D, Alec F, Colin G, Theo L, Luke M, Parker M, James P, Lawson R, Julian S, Jameson S, William S, and Cooper W

Adventure was also around every corner today. For many boys, jumping into the lake for the first time was a big step of courage. For others, playing our first tribal game of the session was the big adventure of the day. Tonight we played Sock War, the most famous of all tribal competitions. If you haven’t had the chance to play Sock War yourself, picture a giant capture the flag style game where competitors throw balled up socks at each other to tag out opponents, bring them to jail, and earn points for their tribe. Tonight’s game was spirited and tightly contested, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out which tribe emerged victorious. 

Did I mention we ate some delicious food as well? For lunch each of our cabins enjoyed a picnic lunch of bacon chicken wraps, apples, chips, fruit bar and chocolate chip cookies. At dinner we munched on beef brisket, dinner rolls, corn pudding, baked beans, and our ever popular salad bar.

As the sun sets here at Timberlake, boys are settling into cabins and getting ready for a great session of camp. Be sure to check back in each night to read all about the day’s adventures, and thanks so much for sharing your sons with us this summer. 

Great Camping!

John

Director, Camp Timberlake

Proud Golden Eagle