Camp Timbers

Playing Hard and Granny's Candy Shop

2008-07-22T09:24:00.002-04:00

On the first full day of camp this week the campers were all having a great time. It seemed like where ever I went all I saw was smiles on the kids faces. Campers enjoyed doing things like fishing, tug-o-war........
I have a friend who......

Arts and Crafts...............

and learned about Native American history.

Last nights evening activity was Granny's Candy Shop, where granny had candy that was stolen from her by the Oompa-Lumpas . She needed the campers to go around to her candy makers, play games to receive candy, and bring it back so she could fill her shop again.

Ladies and Gentleman start your............Boxes?

2008-07-17T08:54:00.002-04:00

It's the Timbers 500!!!!!! Yesterday cabins were given a box of materials and were to use them to build a race car for the cabin, using only the materials given and the box. Once the cabins were finished we all met up at the upper ball fields where the races were to be held. Campers had to drag, carry or push their driver across the field and back, racing against other cabins. Everyone had a lot of fun cheering, laughing and listening to the music. Afterwards the campers enjoyed a snack in their cabins.

There's Gold in Them Hills!

2008-07-16T10:34:00.002-04:00

That's right here at Camp Timbers we have gold! It was up to the campers last night to find that gold that was scattered all throughout camp. After cabins would gather up the gold they had to bring it back to the bank to receive points. Not only was there gold rocks but also silver and green. That's right green rocks, our money people were hidden all over camp and if campers played a game or sang a song for them the money people would paint a rock green and the campers could turn that in for points too. The campers were not the only people who knew about the gold, the robbers also heard about the gold and would come take it from the bank, but our robbers are clumsy and drop the gold. All the campers did such a great job that they were all rewarded with a brownie treat.

Casino Night!

2008-07-15T09:39:00.002-04:00

At dinner time staff dressed up and decorated the lodge to make it look like a casino banquet hall. One counselor from every cabin served their cabin for dinner so the campers wouldn't have to get up for anything. After that we played games like three card Monty......
Guess the number.........7-7-7...........
and seeing who could get a higher number with dice.Campers would win money and bring to the bank and exchange the money for points for their cabin, but because EVERYONE is a winner here at camp timbers, everyone was awarded with a pudding snack.

Moving in and Having Fun

2008-07-14T10:11:00.001-04:00

Well today the campers moved into their cabins and had the chance to meet their cabin mates and their counselors, while playing games that help get to know each other. After dinner all the cabins were able to walk around the lake for a camp tour, so kids could get familiar with camp.
On the first night of camp we always have a camp fire, where we sing songs and the counselors put on skits for everyone to watch. The campers really enjoy singing and clapping along to the songs as well as laughing at the skits. Pat, one of the counselors here, loves to tell Native American tales to the kids while using his flute to give the stories a more spiritual feel.

Getting Wet, and Warming Up

2008-07-11T08:43:00.003-04:00

This week we had some of the members of the Saginaw YMCA Shark Swim Team, along with their coach Chet Swanton, come up to Camp Timbers to train in Piper Lake. This year we had 10 people from the swim team that worked very hard this week on technique and swimming strength.

The last night in camp all of the cabins go down by the fire, sing songs, and watch skits. The campers all really enjoy bonding around the fire one last time, and everyone has a great time. At the end of the fire everyone grabs a stick and we do stick dedications, where every camper has a chance to dedicate that stick to someone or something, like a family member or the people in their cabin, before they throw it in the fire.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Campers at Play!

2008-07-10T09:37:00.003-04:00

The CIT's planned a super sweet night activity for the campers last night. It was based on the game Apples to Apples, but a Camp Timbers version. Cabins were given a word on a green card, then they had to go around and find a CIT dressed up as an apple and play a game for them in order to get a red card with a word on it. The better the connection the word on the red card made with the word on the green card the more points awarded. The cabin then came back to the sports court, in a conga line, where our CIT directors Swede and Mike decided how many points they received. There were also apples hanging on trees all throughout camp that were collected and used as bonus points.Red Apples- 10 Points
Pink Apple- 8 Points
Blue Apples- 6 Points
Yellow Apples- 4 Points
Black Apples- 2 Points

Afterward campers all received a snack and prizes.

WATER CARNIVAL

2008-07-09T08:51:00.002-04:00

Last night we had a super crazy fun time at the water front with our water carnival! Cabins would move from various stations all over the water front to do different, and fun water activities. Such as volleyball.......bury your counselor.............went down the water slide............and greased watermelon............Everyone also had a chance to get a cookie for snack.

Specialties and Safaris

2008-07-08T09:38:00.003-04:00

Every week campers get to pick out one activity that they really enjoy participating in while they are here at camp and make that their specialty. This week our specialties consist of Boots and Saddle, High Adventure, Water Sports, Sports and Games, and Fishing.

Campers in Boots and Saddle Specialty had the chance to get acquainted and comfortable with their adopted horse for the week as well as groom them.
High Adventure Specialty began the week with the Teams Course, consisting of group challenges based on teamwork and trust. They worked on techniques, such as spotting and the zipper lift, while also practicing their ropes commands.Campers in Water Sports quickly became familiar with each other by playing some name games involving buckets of water from Piper Lake. Following, an intense battle of the buckets took place in the red section.Sports and games played several games including lightning and dodge ball. Lightning is camp favorite at the basketball courts.
Fishing Specialty met at the bridge, where they went over the basics of casting. They also learned about the different spots to fish throughout camp.
Is that an elephant I see hiding in the woods?!?!Last night campers traveled deep into the woods of Camp Timbers for a wild Safari! Our very own zoo keepers didn't do a good job of holding on to their animals and asked the campers to help catch them. In order to catch the animals, an entire cabin had to surround the animal, link hands, and bring them back to the zoo keeper. At the end of the night, every cabin won a prize such as an ice cream party, movie night, extended bed time, and the opportunity to throw a counselor in the lake.

Back to Camp

2008-07-07T10:12:00.003-04:00

Welcome to week two of resident camp! Yesterday was quite a busy day with kids moving into their cabins, meeting new friends, and singing some songs.

First, everyone spent some time with their cabins playing name games and ice breakers so everyone gets to know each other better. After that, the entire camp went down to chapel so we could go over the rules of the camp, talk about the activities this week, and sing a few songs.Following dinner, campers toured camp in their cabin group, stopping along the way to play fun games.

For the next three weeks of camp, the CIT's (Counselors In Training) will being partaking in camp activities, a canoeing and hiking trip, as well as being placed in a leadership role, shadowing cabins and helping counselors. This week the group will be learning leadership skills, the values and purpose of Camp Timbers, and what we are here for (the kids!). Our assistant CIT director, Mike Hull (right), had a crazy idea to paint the groups face for camp fire. To no surprise everyone wanted it done, because they are all super excited to be here at camp.
Last night we all went down to the campfire to sing some songs and watch skits. One of the counselors, Alex, played his guitar for the campers and sang some songs.

MTV"s MADE, and last night at camp.

2008-06-27T09:09:00.003-04:00

So yesterday we received word that MTV(c)'s producers have selected Camp TImbers as a possible candidate for a casting location for MADE! If they come here it will be July 24th. So if you're a camper that week and are between the ages of 14-18 ask your parents if you can go through the interview process. If you're not signed up for camp that week and you want a chance to be on TV, Then get your parents to sign you up.

Yesterday was the last full day of for this week, and boy were we busy. We had cabins busy
swimming...........
doing the zip line.........checking out the camp store.....and other various things throughout the camp.

On the last night that all the campers are together we all go out to the camp fire. We sing songs and do little skits that the campers always enjoy. After we get done singing we do stick dedications, where every camper and staff grab a stick and dedicate it to someone or something. Maybe its a family member or their cabin or something they really enjoyed over the week. Once they have said their dedication they throw their stick in the fire.Don't forget to pick up your kids today in between 5-7!

Where would Camp Timbers be without our Help?

2008-06-25T11:10:00.002-04:00

Its another awesome day here at Camp Timbers! This morning everyone in the camp had breakfast in bed. Assorted cereals, yogurt, fruit, OJ, and milk were brought to everyone's cabins so they could enjoy their food without leaving their beds.

Here at Camp Timbers we have a few programs for the teens. The first teen program that kids go through is our Teen Quest program. It's open to kids entering into the 9th and 10th grade, and are seeking to become CIT's (Counselors In Training) and then become counselors. This week we have our Teen Quest kids, and man are they doing an awesome job! This Teen Quest is like an interview process that the kids go through in order to become CIT's. They do daily chores, and routine's that are similar to staff but obviously toned down. The Teen Quest kids still get a chance to have fun just like the other campers, they still get to go on their bike rides, do high ropes, go swimming and participate in the camp activities. Our very own Swede (Right side) is the Teen Quest/CIT director, and is doing a great job with these kids.Not only do we want your kids to have a lot of fun while they are here, we also want to make sure that your kids are eating up and eating healthy. Thanks to our amazing staff that we have in the kitchen (Below L to R, Jennifer, Tammy, Sheeran, Becka), every meal we are provided with a delicious and healthy variety of food. These ladies have been doing an awesome job of feeding everyone.
Tonight in camp we had a Mock Rock. Every cabin had a chance to pick their own individual song to do a dance to or sing a long with . The kids had a lot of fun with it and even danced and sang along in the crowed when it wasn't their turn.

Busy at Camp Timbers

2008-06-24T16:01:00.003-04:00

Its another beautiful day here at Camp Timbers! The sun has been shining all day and the campers have been at play.

Every week when campers come to camp they choose a specialty, that they get to spend two hours a day doing. that activity. Today..........

water sports took the canoes and kayaks out.....
arts and crafts made Camp Timbers stain glass windows........

high adventure climbed the tower.......
archery shot at small plates, that were smaller than the targets they were shooting at yesterday ....

sports and games played baseball and went on the sled tubes...........

and boots and saddles went for a horse ride in the woods.

After dinner there was word that the Candyman was hiding somewhere in the camp. In order for the campers to find the Candyman they had to go to the trash people and play a small game in order to get a clue as to where the Candyman was. When he was found by the campers every camper was granted one sucker from him.

And tonight........... MIDNIGHT MADNESS!!!!!!!! Campers will play a few games of lazer tag and basketball!

Welcome Campers!!!!

2008-06-24T08:46:00.002-04:00

Alright, yesterday was the first day of resident camp for 2008! Kids were all over camp with their counselors doing activities such as high ropes, horseback riding, and playing baseball on the sports court.
An important part of the first day is the kids swim test, directed by our lifeguards.

Everyone did very well.

HAPPY UN-BIRTHDAY

Yesterday no one had a birthday, so we decided to throw a un-birthday party! Games were held in and around the lodge like......

musical chairs.............

pass the fruit..............

dress up relay............

and what time is it Mr. Fox.

Mike and Mary also served us ice cream.
Fun was had by all and many more fun days will follow.

Eating Smart, Eating Right.

2007-09-15T23:09:00.000-04:00

A very welcome addition to this summer was Activate America. Our staff not only preached the message to "eat better and move more" but practiced it as well.

Once we taught some healthy fundamentals to the campers, we started tracking how well they are doing making healthier choices. We have a star chart posted in our dining hall and cabin groups earn stars for their collective group behaviors for these categories:
-Blue Star = group drinks at least 2-pitchers of water at every meal.
-Purple Star = majority of group eats at least 3-serving of dairy.
-Green Star = majority eats at least 3-servings of vegetables.
-Yellow Star = 3-servings of fruit.
-Orange Star = 3-servings of fiber.
-Red Star = exercise; at least 20-minutes of sustained cardio activity as a group. Mountain biking, 4-square, roofball, swimming, and aerobic dancing all count, as well as many other cabin group activities.

It's easy to say that we do those activities anyway, but this program has caused campers to think and to be a part of making healthier lifestyle choices, something that we hope will stay with them after camp.

Another Day, Another Memory...

2007-09-04T22:16:00.001-04:00

Another great new tradition at Camp Timbers is our annual Volkslauf. Sometimes referred to as the "Volkslauffen," or sometimes more commonly known as the "schloff," volkslauf is actually German for "people's race," and that's just what it is. Started three years ago, the schloff is an annual triathlon, Camp Timbers style. The race consists of our competitors swimming the length of Piper Lake...

...then completing the seven mile bike ride around nearby Clear Lake...

and finishing the race with two laps around our own Piper Lake...

While our staff schloff is alive and well, it was noted by Rachel Lum (above picture left) that the schloff was not available to kids that may want to take part. Thanks to a lot of hard work on her part, for the last three sessions of summer camp that hope was a reality. After dinner on Thursday night, any camper that chose to take part in a camper schloff was given the chance. The camper schloff was of course a toned down version of our staff schloff: two laps in our swim section, a one and a half mile bike ride around Piper Lake, and finished off with a one mile run around our lake.

The camper schloffen was a welcome addition to 2007, and I'm sure there will be a lot of kids training during the winter to win it next year!

We're back!

2007-09-02T13:11:00.000-04:00

Well, it is almost a full month after Camp Timbers 2007 ended, but that doesn't mean that this blog is done. You can still expect to see periodic posts here throughout the year, relevant to camp news and important information! So keep checking back. Today I would like to take the first of three looks back at some of the most fun activities that we did this past summer...

"Midnight Madness" - This past summer, our Assistant Director, Mike Hull, and our Male Village Chief, Mike Houlihan, came up with the idea of a "Midnight Madness." The concept was simple: after our late night mid-session staff meetings on Tuesday of every week, we would go back into camp for some after hours fun. Any kid that wanted to keep sleeping could do so while one of the cabin's counselors stayed with them, but any one else that wanted to go out would do just that. We had a late night game of basketball, jump roping, or just a chance to socialize with their friends after lights out!

After people are done playing with games, they can go and get ice cream!

By the end of the summer, Midnight Madness was viewed as one of the most fun additions to the 2007 summer camp session. All traditions must start somewhere, and I have a feeling that 2007 was the first year for a new Camp Timbers tradition.

Start Your Engines!!

2007-08-02T08:43:00.000-04:00

Well yesterday we broke from our traditional style of dinner, and instead, in honor of our night activity Timbers 500, we had a tailgate!

I know everyone enjoyed the pizza and the music and games at dinner!

Then after dinner, we raced our cabin racecars that we had been building throughout the week. We saw some awesome entrants to the race like the pink princesses from Aspen...

And the lightning fast racers from Pine cabin...

It sure is great to have Matt back in camp again. And speaking of Matt, I'd like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to the 2nd annual Concert For Camp that Matt is helping organize. It is a fundraising concert on August 25th at Camp Timbers, with all the proceeds going to camp! Stay tuned to www.concertforcamp.org for more information. Today's our last full day and I'm sure we will make the most of it...

-Taddie

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

2007-08-01T15:33:00.000-04:00

Well yesterday was hotter than I can remember it being all summer. And today is supposed to be hotter! But camp cooled off and beat the heat by heading down to the waterfront.

Some people had a blast digging in the sand...

And other folks got their kicks by catchin' some fish!

After dinner and after fourth activity period, we had a birthday party to celebrate Camp Timbers' 40th birthday! The party featured sand castle contests...

And a pin the mustache on the clown game!

We then, as is customary when someone has a birthday at camp, had the Order of the Oar, and paddled our camp director Steve Meyer 40 times!

It was a great birthday party. Today's Timbers 500 should be an absolute blast as well!

-Taddie

p.s. I have been severely negligent in not mentioning the fantastic work that Leslie Tausch did in painting Aspen cabin, and both the boys and girls there greatly appreciate the work and all of camp enjoys looking at the beautiful mural!

Get a Clue!

2007-07-31T08:42:00.000-04:00

So yesterday was our first full day of our last resident camp week of the summer 8^( . We didn't let the bittersweetness get in the way, we still had a full day of fun. For starters, every cabin went down to the waterfront to take their swim tests...

And Sequoia cabin got to do high ropes in the morning...

...and Willow cabin did Tower...

Following our activities, we had a full camp game of CLUE! Steve our camp director was found to be dead, and it was up to camp to solve the crime! Personally I thought it was Lord Snoopalot...

with the climbing rope...

on the bridge!

But as it turns out, it was Professor Aso...

with a paddle...

at Cypress cabin...

When all was said and done, everybody had a blast navigating our game board and trying to solve the crime!

Today's gonna be a scorcher, hopefully we get down to the ole swimmin' hole a bunch!

-Taddie

Pirates!!!!

2007-07-30T08:49:00.000-04:00

So yesterday, we were overrun by pirates for check-in day. Luckily, however, the campers helped us by finding those pesky pirates. Not only did they find the pirates...but they all stole some pirate gold from them too!

After that, we had dinner, and then we played some games, and then we went to the real fun of the night...CAMPFIRE! It was our last opening campfire of the summer, but we made it a great one. We welcomed back some old favorites, that we hadn't heard from in over a year, like Alex...

...and Matt...

It was great to hear from some different voices last night, both new and old. We were pleasantly treated to some amazing violin music that brought the house down, and caused a standing ovation...

We also heard songs about certain moose...

and were treated to an almost fourteen minute version of the army skit!

It was a great and unique campfire. Today should be an action packed one!

-Taddie

Fun In The Sun

2007-07-29T09:37:00.000-04:00

Well, this weekend we had an amazing time. There may have only been six stayovers...and they may have all been boys, but we still had nonstop fun. It started Saturday when we headed down to the waterfront and made a slip and slide...

Man, that was fun. And then, after we went to the store and bought everybody's favorite drink, we took the pontoon boat out and went around the lake.

We had chips, and cookies, and some people went fishing.

DJ's fish may have been the only one that was caught, but who's counting! Then on the way back from our fishing trip, the boys jumped in off the boat!

We then had a movie night, and watched Star Wars...

and then we roasted marshmallows...

...and then we headed to bed. It was an action packed weekend, and now we're ready for our last week to start!

-Taddie

All Great Things Must Come To An End

2007-07-27T09:15:00.000-04:00

Well, yesterday was our last full day of this session. The day started off like it always does, with a morning watch, however this one was special because the lake was covered by a foggy mist that I thought was so cool I had to take a picture.

The day went as well as we could've hoped for, with the girls of Aspen enjoying swim time...

While the boys of Aspen enjoyed some good eats...

We ended the night with a bittersweet campfire. We heard from six short necked buzzards...

And from some banana phoners...

And saw a stinky bus drive by...

And Mike O'Houlihan and his orchestra...

And then we had our stick dedications. It was sad to be saying goodbye...but next week will be even more fun! Plus we have a full day of excitement left in store today. We're all excited to greet all our parents tonight and have one last night of fun!

-Taddie

Bienvenidos a Camp Timbers!

2007-07-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

Well, yesterday was another day of excitement. Some cabins got to go boating...

And during free time, we got to play four square...

...and others got to play roofball!

But the main attraction of the night was International Night. During International Night, the campers got to go from country to country learning some of their customs and eating some of their delicious food. Some of the highlights included Israel, with potato latkes and matzoh ball soup...

And Japan with rice balls...

and England with fish and chips...

and China with stir fry...

and Jamaica...

and of course, the best country of the night....Ireland with Irish pancakes and authentic Irish music and dancing!

That's green cake icing for anyone that's wondering. and that's also probably the only time you'll see me in one of the pictures! International Night was a huge success, and everyone went to bed stuffed full of good food and the knowledge of other countries customs' that we had learned.

-Taddie

Fun at the Fair!

2007-07-25T10:55:00.000-04:00

Well yesterday was yet another awesome day of activities here at camp. Some folks went swimming and on the waterslide...

and other people went fishing...

Then later on, we had an awesome carnival! Everybody was given tickets, and was able to use those tickets to play awesome games like plinko...

or rock paper scissors...

or dart toss...

or have their faces painted!

We also had an amazing dance contest, with some incredible dancing...

It was an awesome night at the fair. Then, later on, we had MIDNIGHT MADNESS! We came around and got all the kids out of their cabins and had a huge game of lighting and gave them ice cream

It was a great way to end the night. And then we got to sleep in!!! Look out for more after tonights International Night...

-Taddie

Fresh starts.

2007-07-24T08:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was our first full day of camp, and according to everyone, it was an amazing start to what hopefully could be an amazing week! Some people went horseback riding...

and others climbed our climbing tower...

and others went swimming...

and still others got to spend some quality time at arts and crafts...

And then later on in the evening, we had an awesome night activity... GOLD RUSH!! The camp was littered with gold and silver rocks...

and it was the cabin's mission to find as many of the rocks that were strewn through camp and cash them in at the bank...

but they had to avoid the bandits or else they would have all their gold stolen!

After the game was over, the cabins exchanged their store credit that they had accumulated for the rocks for raffle tickets. They then put their raffle tickets in buckets for certain prizes...

The prizes were: Ice cream party, being told the white dog story, have a counselor jump in the lake, water balloon your counselor, a movie night in the staff lounge, have Village Chiefs wait on you for a meal, stay up an hour past lights out, waterslide party, and a milk and cookies party (I have to say the most popular one was easier movie night with popcorn)...

All together, it was a great day, and today looks to be great as well. I'll keep you updated!

-Taddie

Welcome to Camp!

2007-07-23T08:11:00.000-04:00

Well yesterday we had our check in day.

It was great to meet all the new campers and their families. Moving in sometimes can be a pain (especially if you're moving into Willow!) but everyone had a great attitude.

As everyone arrived at camp, they got to meet our Piper Pete (Megan) ...

...and check out our monkeys on the high ropes staff...

...and get a glimpse of what it's like at the beach...

..or take a ride on a horse...

...or stop by the camp store...

All in all, check in day went as smoothly as we could've hoped for. Once we got our work out of the way, we then went down to the beach for a wacky kick off extravaganza! Things got wild and things got wet!

We got to hear from all the sweet specialties, like cooking and high ropes...

And then after dinner, we ended the night with a rockin' campfire!

All in all it was a fantastic day. Today should be better!

-Taddie

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears....Oh My!

2007-07-18T18:15:00.001-04:00

Well last night we had our Animal Safari. The camp came down to see our animals, however they had all escaped!

Luckily, some of our cabins were apt to the challenge, and roped them back in. It's a good thing too, because we had...

TIGERS!!!!
But that wasn't all. We also had some other animals loose...

they might only look like a bunny and a moo cow, but they're actually quite ferocious. The cabins also had the opportunity to ride on a real African safari with our Australian safari guide Aaron, and our well trained driver Kate!

All in all we had a lot of fun. We got our animals back, and no one got hurt! Tonight we're having our campout. Look out for more!

-Taddie

Check In Day

2007-07-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

Today is check in day for our third week of Resident Camp. All seems to be going well. We are having an awesome campfire tonight, and I can't wait.