Our campers woke up bright and early to the glorious sound of taps on the P.A. at 7:00 am, after which they had a delicious breakfast at 7:30 am of waffles, eggs, grits, and various cereals. Beverages included orange juice, milk, and of course, water, because hydration never takes a vacation. Some campers also embarked on trips today. Cole E., Evan F., Brooks H., Kent K., Colin B., Christian M., Harry K., Gavin S., Cole T., and Malachi W. all went rafting today, chasing rapids and dodging rocks, while Reid S., Zach M., Cooper W., Chris J., Valentino D., Jonas M., Asher C., John H., Oliver F., and Richard F. went spelunking in the depths of the earth today, crawling through tight spaces and discovering the absence of light deep in the caverns of this planet. After breakfast, the remaining campers gathered around the Tuck’s stairs and did our morning yell led by 4 counselors, Luke R., Zach R., Fran M., and Charlie V. ; it was so loud that they could hear us on the moon and under the oceans! Racing to the chapel, our campers are led in a fiery time of worship where praises to the Lord are sung and shoes hit the floor stomping.

After being dismissed to their cabins, the campers scurry to clean their homes and compete for the coveted Golden Plunger, which is awarded to the cabin with the highest average score in Session3B. Greybeard won the day today with a very impressive score of a 9.75 out of 10! As the activity periods begin, campers shoot, paddle, dribble, and spike their way to bronze, silver, and gold bars by completing various challenges set up by their activity directors. Today, Owen A. got 2 bronze groupings (when all 5 arrows are a certain length apart) in archery and Oliver G. completed his gold time trial in canoeing, racing all the way to the camp fire dock and back to the shore in under 4 minutes.

A hearty lunch of cornbread, fried okra, and jambalaya gave the campers all the energy they need for their 3rd and 4th period classes, but not before they learn who won cabin cleanup and who won the tribal game from the previous night. The winner of last night’s game of El Presidente was….the Black bears! Then comes the best time, rest time, for 45 minutes, which leads into free time, where I helped a few campers work on their pickleball bars until 2:45 pm.

Then another 2 hours of fun, adventure, and freedom as campers tackle their 3rd and 4th period classes, again trying to earn those bars and learn from their counselors about their activities.

Dinner was delicious; an entree of chicken fajitas with salad and soup also on the menu tonight. A few campers had to bless our ears with some songs since they walked into the Tuck with their hats on, a big no-no here at Camp Timberlake. One camper, Sean A. even serenaded us with Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” with some amendments for camp appropriateness of course! Now the campers learn what tonight’s evening activities entail! Tonight, the campers will engage in the Battle for Middle-Earth, where the Black Bears and Golden Eagles will fight to find the One Ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!

We’ve had another amazing, successful, fun-filled day here in the beautiful mountains of Marion, NC, at Camp Timberlake. From calls of “6, 7” to campers being reunited with their long lost personal items, camp continues to inspire all who attend and challenge those who would shy away to approach, and become a son of Timberlake!

Ben Huff

Big Slaty Counselor

Black Bear