On this fine Tuesday morning, the finer young men of Camp Timberlake were up and at ‘em early despite the groggy weather outside, taking on another glorious day here at camp. As everyone filed into the Tuck for breakfast, John announced what seemed too good to be true- GEOMETRY BREAKFAST!!! The boys fueled up with lots of shapes- circular sausage patties, rectangular hashbrowns, circular eggs, squares of cheese, all on a golden brown biscuit with sausage gravy on top (or grape jelly if you know what’s up)- and headed to the morning yell before chapel. Caleb brought the word today at Chapel, stating that man is in a rush and then reading from Matthew 11:28 to bring us Jesus’ invitation to all who are weary and burdened, that he may give us rest. What a fitting message for a rainy day. After that, we waited for the rain to lighten up a bit before making the mad dash back to the cabins to clean!

Every boy at Timberlake knows the age-old adage, “Rain’s all talk”, and this certainly showed in activities today! Down at the lake, Has T. and Michael V. both caught a fish, Kenny C., Peter K., and Tucker L. all completed their time trials in Canoeing, and Talton A. got his roll in Kayaking! In Archery, Stephen J. got another 30 yard grouping, and in the best activity (Climbing), Carson B. earned his silver bar! Finally, over at Mossflower, Nolan B. made a great looking pot in Pottery, Ben T. found a four-leaf clover, and Spencer B. found Frog! Way to go fellas!

Our trips out today were incredible-Ashton M, Duke A, Tucker C, David F, Wes H, Erik D, Dakota M, Hayden B, Owen M, Talton A, Wyatt F and Asher K had an epic time whitewater rafting on the French Broad. These boys were pumped to see the rain since it meant the river was really rocking and word on the street is that they crushed it. 

Speaking of braving the rain, Asa C, Sam R, Kieran S, McKean K, Zach W, Andrew I, James H, Trevor T and Thornton H were not deterred by a little. These guys returned after their overnight backpacking trip to John Rock all smiles, despite having to brave some rain showers. Way to go guys!

After a phenomenally full morning, the boys once again filed into the Tuck to hear yet another banger of a meal- MONTE CRISTOS FOR LUNCH!!! Could the kitchen go 3 for 3 on great meals today? At lunch the winners of cabin cleanup were announced to be (drumroll please) BULL RUN with a whopping 9.5!!! The race for the Golden Plunger is unbelievably close! Another close race here at camp is the race for the banner, which got closer today as the winners of Battleball were announced to be (another drumroll please) THE BLACK BEARS!!! As the Black Bears sang to their victory, the Golden Eagles didn’t lose heart, because they knew they’d have another chance at redemption tonight. 

After a restful rest time, a free free time, and a packed afternoon of activities, we once again made the pilgrimage back to the Tuck for dinner. The kitchen went 3 for 3 today, finishing out with a usual LUNCH favorite- PIZZAAAAAAA!!! After preaching the benefits of cottage cheese all day, I am pleased to say that I saw more than a few campers enjoying a delightful bowl of the fluffy white, protein packed goodness at dinner this evening. After the kitchen rounded off a generational run with ice cream sandwiches, the Sultan of Fun sprang out of his seat and once again donned the red helmet, seemingly flying around the Tuck before announcing tonight’s evening activity- JUNIOR CAMP CABIN NIGHT and SENIOR CAMP GREAT ESCAPE!!! Junior camp boys rushed to their cabins to find out what fun the night held for them, and senior campers headed back to put on a tribe jersey and fight another night for their tribe.

Finch’s Landing and Further Up got to head up spyglass hill to slide down the world’s longest (seriously) slip n slide before enjoying some s’mores over an open campfire. Tiger Tooth and Bull run got to enjoy a free swim on the Lake Newcomb and Hawksbill and Turtleback hiked into our woods to have a big campout at our trail shelter (codename: Animal House).

As I write this, I can hear shouts of joy from the lake cabins continue swimming freely, as well as groups of Golden Eagles and Black Bears strategizing to find the skin and win the Great Escape. The rainy day has left a wonderful cool in the air, and the 7:30ish sun lights everything up with an enchanting golden haze. I bid you a goodnight from the deep greens of the trees, the weightless birdsong, the fading blue of the sky, the bright trickle of leftover runoff, and the calm of yet another stellar evening here at Camp Timberlake. 

 

Brayden Collins

Ex- Further In CIT

Ex- Further Up Counselor

Ex- Little Piney Counselor

Current Greybeard Counselor

Adventure Race Victor

6x Sunday at the Masters Victor

Son of Vern and Piper Collins

Little Brother to Gresham Collins

Big Brother to Bailey, Graycie, and Brynley Collins

Proud Black Bear

Climbing Instructor

Cottage Cheese Connoisseur (CCC)

Coffee Lover

Amateur Golfer 

Avid Slounge Lifter

Rising Junior at Appalachian State University

I love dogs

I am wearing one of my favorite t-shirts right now

goodnight.