Hawwwww Yeeeee Laketimber! Day Joe Boy Cow Happyyyy! 

I like to think most every day at Timberlake is one that can only happen here, but today was without a doubt an experience that can only be found right here at Camp. COWBOY JOE DAY

Last night, as campers settled into their cabins, counselors gathered everyone around to share the legendary tale of Cowboy Joe. According to camp lore, Cowboy Joe was a backwards sort of cowboy. He wore his hat backwards, put his boots on the wrong feet, rode backwards in his saddle, and somehow managed to travel east while everyone else headed west during the Gold Rush. Despite his confusion, Cowboy Joe was famous throughout the land for one thing: making delicious pastries called NutDoughs.

And because Cowboy Joe always did things backwards, we honor him once each session by doing the same. 

So this morning, instead of heading to the dining hall, campers were greeted by a loud and enthusiastic senior staff team delivering breakfast straight to the cabins. The sounds of hollerin’, hootin’, cheering, and laughter could be heard all across camp as breakfast arrived right at everyone’s doorstep. Campers enjoyed NutDoughs, cow juice, granola bars, yogurt, fruit, and juice while easing into what was sure to be a memorable day. For many campers, waking up to breakfast delivery may have been the highlight of the morning. For others, it was simply proof that Cowboy Joe’s influence is still alive and well here at camp.

Of course, a backwards day requires more than a backwards breakfast. Immediately following breakfast, we jumped straight into evening activity. That’s right—before many campers had fully processed what day it was, the Golden Eagles and Black Bears were already battling it out in Battle Ball (or should I say, Ball Battle)!  Energy was high from the opening whistle as campers dodged, dipped, ducked, dived and dodged their way around the court and competed for tribal glory. Everyone brought plenty of enthusiasm and competed with grit and integrity. There’s something especially fun about starting the day with a tribal game. The competition was lively, the cheering echoed louder in the crisp morning air, and the excitement carried through the rest of the day.

While much of camp was enjoying activities on property, several groups headed out on adventures beyond Timberlake’s gates. Nathan W, Henry VJ, Luke T, Edward T, Reed P, Sam H, Adams H, William F, Nolan B, Carson B, Christopher C spent the day river snorkeling in the Linville River, exploring cool mountain waters and discovering the fascinating world that exists beneath the surface.  Carter S, Jackson T, David D, Luke H, Alexander S, and Samuel S traveled to South Mountain for a day of fly fishing, enjoying beautiful scenery while practicing patience and skill on the water. This afternoon, our backpacking crew of Asa C, Sam R, Kieran S, Mckean K, Zach W, Andrew I, James H, Trevor T, and Thornton H loaded up their packs and set out for an overnight adventure to John Rock. They’ll spend tonight on the trail and return tomorrow after an awesome overnight adventure that would make even Cowboy Joe proud. 

Lunch brought another crowd favorite: chicken and waffles! During lunch we also announced cabin cleanup scores from the morning. Congratulations to Bull Run, Stomper’s Knob, and Greybeard, who all earned impressive scores of 9.5. Even on a day dedicated to doing things backwards, our campers continue to take pride in caring for their cabins and living spaces.

The afternoon was filled with activities, friendships, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy another beautiful summer day in the mountains. Whether learning new skills, spending time with friends, or simply enjoying the unique rhythm of camp life, campers made the most of every part of the day.

Dinner was one of my personal favorites…BBQ, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and Oreo Dream for dessert—a combination that disappeared from plates remarkably quickly.

After dinner, we gathered in the chapel for some extra enthusiastic singing and Big Slaty counselor Fran M shared today’s True Story. He told about a time when he was young and became separated from his family at Disney World after becoming distracted by all the sights, sounds, fountains, and characters around him. What began as curiosity quickly turned into the realization that he was lost. Thankfully, a kind bystander helped him reconnect with his family.

Fran used that experience to point us toward Jesus. Just as he had wandered away without realizing it, we can often become distracted and drift off course in life. The good news is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who comes looking for His lost sheep. He lovingly seeks them out and brings them home.

To close out our backwards day, we gathered on Spencer’s Green for the County Fair.

The fairgrounds were packed with activity as campers moved from game to game, trying their luck, challenging their friends, and enjoying a festive evening together. The dunk tank quickly became a crowd favorite, with plenty of counselors finding themselves unexpectedly, but welcomingly soaked after an action packed day. Campers raced down the giant inflatable slide, tested their skills at bucket golf, and explored all sorts of fun, wacky, and wonderfully strange games spread across the field. Everywhere you looked there was laughter, cheering, friendly competition, and groups of campers making memories together.

As the sun began to set over the mountains, the day that had started backwards, stayed backwards and finished backwards (but still made perfect Timberlake sense) was coming to an end. It’s hard not to smile at the wonderfully ridiculous tradition that is Cowboy Joe Day. What started years ago as a story about a backwards cowboy has become one of Timberlake’s most beloved traditions—a day filled with laughter, creativity, tribe spirit, adventure, and a great reminder that even when we get turned around the wrong way, Jesus is still coming after us. 

And somewhere out there, perhaps riding backwards over Stomper’s Knob, Cowboy Joe would surely approve. 🤠

Haw Yee, 

Horn Winston

Director Associate 

Eagle Golden Proud

Toddy Hotty