The final session of summer 2024 is officially underway! Session 3B started with a bang today as campers flooded camp property, excited to begin what is sure to be an amazing two weeks at Timberlake. A partly cloudy and breezy morning made for a cool and smooth drop off and Catherine and I had so much fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones today at the chapel. 

They boys then headed to their cabins where the counselors helped them unpack, make their beds and settle into their Timberlake home. We enjoyed a fresh lunch of bacon chicken wraps, cookies, apples, granola bars and chips. Delicious! After that we headed to Lake Newcomb for a quick dip in the water as the guys did their swim check to prepare for all the fun activities on the lake. 

This afternoon we also held our tribal initiation, where the new campers were initiated into one of the two great tribes here at Timberlake: the powerful Golden Eagles and the mighty Black Bears. Tribes are a huge part of our culture and a powerful tradition here at camp. They allow us to immediately create a sense of community and belonging for every camper, even ones for whom it is their very first day of camp. Additionally, through the nightly tribal competitions, we get a chance to both teach and model healthy competition and good sportsmanship. 

Our new Black Bears are: Turner B, William B, BEnnett B, Hays C, Cason D, Sumner D, Luke F, Sam H, Charlie M, Will M, Chase O, Davis O, Jacob M, Ryder S, Simeon T and Kaleb W

Our new Golden Eagles are: David B, Robert B, Liam C, Dhilan G, Owen H, Brooks H, Kent K, Baxter L, Russell M, Augustus M, Jonas M, Duncan M, Cyrus P, Armand R, Cole T, Nathan T, David T and James S

After initiation we headed to the dining hall (we call it “The Tuck”) for a yummy dinner of sausage and penne pasta, roasted broccoli and garlic cheddar biscuits with ice cream sandwiches for dessert. 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