At Timberlake we are always improving each summer. We believe it’s impossible to stay the same and look to impact our campers, program, and staff for the better every chance we get. Each year is different and offers an intentional balance of history with new opportunities and excitement! From traditions we’ve had in the dining hall since 1983 to unveiling never played before evening activities, this experience of camp is one that always exceeds your expectations. One of my favorite parts of my job is managing all of our adventures and to bring new locations or activities to our program. This summer one new trip that we offered was river snorkeling here in the WNC mountain rivers! 

In the middle of the summer I led a snorkeling trip to the Little Lost Cove Wilderness. Ten participants and three of us staff members set off with water shoes, a change of clothes, sunscreen, masks and snorkels, bagged lunches, and a watertastic attitude. This particular location takes us to a wilderness area in the Pisgah National Forest down a bumpy dirt forest road. Upon arrival at the trailhead we distributed the gear and began our hike down to the river. 

The further we descended, the louder the river became. When we emerged from the rhododendron canopy to see crystal clear water and a gorgeous view of multiple swimming holes snaking around large boulders with the sun shining from the cloudless sky. We began to pass out masks with snorkels and the guys could hardly wait to get in. After circling up for a safety talk, they took to the water and were shocked by the freeeeeezing temperature. It’s the kind of cold that takes your breath away at first but as you swim around you discover the hidden world underwater! Schools of freshwater minnows, sucker fish, and the prized brook trout can be seen that are all elusive to the naked eye above the surface. We spent the morning and afternoon following the fish in their natural habitats, watching the bubbles from the river current, and doing it alongside our friends! Some of the purest outdoor fun, boys in a body of water exploring the rich environment. 

Nobody wanted to leave. The scenery, the sun, the river, the warm rocks to lay on all made this mountain oasis amazing. But we had a hike and a drive home between us and dinner back at camp. Getting back on the trail the group hiked the difficult uphill climb back to the van. With surprisingly good time, we made it to the trailhead and piled into the van for the ride home. The forest road we drove in on is not the smoothest and as we are moving along with the windows down all of the sudden I hear a high pitch hissing noise…coming from outside back left.  A perfectly convenient pull-off to our left offered us a place to check it out and revealed a fresh hole in the drivers-side rear tire. 

We called back to camp to relay the situation and then changed the tire. Some campers helped us assemble the jack and rod before staff placed it while others read and hung out. Given we were stuck on a dirt road only getting hungrier, the spirits were high and we felt a sense of comradery fixing our own problem while laughing about the odds of a flat. Only a few of the boys had ever changed a tire so we walked through the process showing the steps of jacking, loosening, swapping, and tightening our new tire on. With all four tires back in action, the guys were kind of sad to leave our spot on the side of the road. As we rode back to Timberlake somehow the flat tire experience was something the boys would never forget, a cherry on top to the days’ adventure. 

Each day at camp has the potential to be a boy’s best memory from his time here. With all of the options available each boy can have multiple “best days” no matter where they find themselves. On this particular one, the hike, swimming, and scenery was spectacular but also the unplanned pit-stop proved to be another highlight of their time. It reinforced a sense of brotherhood and  resiliency while affirming trust in the staff to protect and care for them. In the big and small moments our staff take care of the details to ensure each day could be the best one! A great reminder that while yes we are blessed to recreate in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, it is our people who make this place so impactful. A good friend once told me “more is caught then taught” alluding to the effect of living life with others, especially at camp. It is these examples that our staff provide, passing along both skills and qualities of sound young men. This is Timberlake’s longest tradition: having great staff to positively impact our campers while experiencing adventure together.

From out in the wilderness,

Caleb Owen

Assistant Director

Former Greybeard Counselor

Proud Black Bear