We talk a lot about adventure here at Timberlake. Sometimes it looks like mastering your combat roll in kayaking, and other times it’s stepping onto the stage at vespers to perform a skit in front of the whole camp. Adventure shows up whenever boys step out of their comfort zones, not knowing exactly how things will turn out. That’s where growth happens—when they take healthy risks and push themselves in new ways. But adventure at Timberlake is never just about the challenge itself. Our mission is to help boys grow through friends and adventure—to discover their potential by using their gifts and abilities to serve those around them. When everyone is focused on uplifting one another, the whole community benefits. We’re made for life together, and that’s why we anchor everything we do in servant leadership—leading by example, setting the pace, and showing the way for others. I see this play out every day at camp, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job. But this past summer, one particular moment of growth through adventure stood out.

One glorious July morning, I had the chance to join one of my favorite things at camp—a mountain bike trip. I’d been petitioning to get on a trip all summer, and after years of teaching mountain biking at Timberlake, I was thrilled to get out of the office and back on the trails. The day was perfect, the boys were in great spirits, and I couldn’t wait. Counselor Luke R and I gathered the group, loaded bikes onto the trailer, and headed to the trail system in Old Fort.

At the base of the climb, we geared up and had a quick safety talk before beginning the long pedal up the gravel road to the trailhead. Luke took the lead while I hung back with the rear of the group. After about ten minutes, I noticed the gap between the main group and one camper beside me started to widen. We took a couple of water breaks, but I could tell this wasn’t improving. It quickly became clear that his struggle wasn’t about bike skills—it was about comparison. He was trying to match the pace of six other boys who were older, taller, and stronger. His measure of success was so far out of reach that he couldn’t envision ever getting there, which made every restart feel impossible. That’s the trick with growth: it happens in the “sweet spot” between risk and reward. Step too far outside your comfort zone and success feels impossible; stay too comfortable and growth never comes. The goal has to be perceivable, but not necessarily guaranteed. So I called the group to stop up ahead and pulled him aside for a quick pep talk. He was on the verge of tears. We’d made it only halfway up the climb, and this was just lap one of three. I reminded him that comparison robs us of joy and growth, and that his job wasn’t to keep pace with everyone else—it was to ride his ride, and work on his own abilities. Once he had a goal he could imagine reaching, his whole outlook shifted. I gave him a couple of techniques to focus on, and off we went again. From there, he found a groove. We were still behind, but the stops were fewer, and his confidence grew. He made it through two laps, and the reward of the downhill singletrack was evidenced by his hootin’ and hollerin’ as we rode down.. By the time we stopped for lunch, he was in much better spirits. But that’s when the real test came: the older boys wanted one more lap. I could see the dread creep in, but after a pause, he surprised me. With a grin and a nod from the group, he agreed to give it a shot. That third lap wasn’t easy. After two climbs and a full lunch, the legs were heavy and the road felt longer. But the grit was there. He dug in, stayed steady, and before long we were back at the van with a monumental sense of accomplishment. Yes, it was grit and determination on display—but it was more than that. He learned how to push through doubt, accept encouragement, and face challenges with confidence and grace. By the end of the day, he had sharpened real skills—climbing, ready position, braking—but more importantly, he had built a foundation of self-confidence. A simple shift in perspective changed the outcome of the whole day. 

That’s what experiencing the Gospel through friends and adventure is all about. Having the courage to step out of your comfort zone, the humility to learn from others, the grit to keep going when it’s tough, and the empathy to look out for the people around you. On that ride, this camper displayed all four of those qualities. When these moments of growth happen, my prayer is that they become more than just memories. I hope they provide tools for life—so when these boys face future challenges, whether in their jobs, relationships, or personal goals, they know how to approach them with courage, humility, empathy and grit. We’re not just collecting achievements; we’re building systems of growth that last. What may seem like a bike ride today could very well be the foundation for stepping confidently into tomorrow’s adventure.

Winston Horn

Assistant Director, Camp Timberlake

Resident Mountain Biking Shredder

Proud Golden Eagle