An introduction to the Timberlake Staff 2009 (and our dog)
Monday, May 18th, 2009
Timberlake Staff Highlights for 2009
I am delighted we have so many returning support staff and they are:
Jarod Wunneburger, Brad Edwards, Coleman Yunger, Adam Behrman, Ben Linder, Shawn Tivette, and Chris Adams. They all have proven leadership and organizational skills as well as a fine sensibility for the lighter side of camp life.
Some of our talent has migrated from other F&W camps, such as our Waterfront Director Amika Gair-McMicheal from Saltash Mountain Camp and Tim Likarish who was the Work Projects Director at the Barn Day Camp last summer. Together, this team has several decades of experience working within the camps of Farm and Wilderness.
Our new staff members bring with them a universal appreciation of nature and experience with our core program areas of: swim instruction, camping, hiking canoeing, work projects gardening and rock climbing. They also have some varied talents and qualities such as:
- Eagle Scout and Swimming instructor.
- Art and Music History teacher and music composer from Mexico.
- The son of fisherman from Jamaica who teaches local kids to make kites out of recycled fishing nets!
- Several music teachers of guitar, banjo, violin, cello and banjo.
- Leader of middle school canoe and hiking trips.
- 5 years camp counseling experience, and snowboard instructor in the winter.
- Coordinator of 50+ volunteers in a program for companioning and mentoring teen patients in a community hospital.
- Teacher of Hip Hop and Brazilian Dance.
- Trained intercultural communicator and classroom teacher at independent school.
- Several Theatre majors and High School Thespians.
- Vermont Youth Conservation Corp crew member and trail builder.
- School teacher and librarian, banjo and Eagle Scout.
These staff have been asked what they enjoy about working with children and I wanted to share with you some of their answers:
“I like the struggle that a staff goes through to form a family environment”
“I look forward to bonding with other staff who have a shared love of camp and the outdoors”
“When kids feel safe and inspired their curiosity and exuberance are a real joy to be around.”
“I love to see the smiles on children’s faces either just from having fun or when they realize that they have accomplished something that they did not think they could do.”
“I like working with children because they find enjoyment in the simplest things (a brightly colored Fall leaf or watching the ants scurrying around). Teens are a little different because they are working on finding and developing their identities. I think it is fascinating to watch them as they sift through their lives to find meaning”
“One of my favorite aspects about interacting with kids, especially at camp, is seeing them grow when they are given responsibilities and treated as mature individuals.”
“It’s so rewarding to see kids work on projects, make art, perform, etc. when they are being treated respectfully”
“I now work with inner city youth, so it would be a good experience to work with children in this setting”
“Children keep you on your toes!”
I would also like to introduce my family, some of whom will be with the July campers this summer. My wife Jools Skeet will be at Timberlake helping to farm and garden during the July session, along with my boy of six, Olly who will be attending Barn Day Camp. Kaila, who is nine will be at Indian Brook and then at Barn Day Camp in July. My eldest daughter Luna will be away at Saltash Mountain.
Our kitten Romeo doesn’t like to travel but our young dog Hua (featured at the top of the page) will be with us during July. She’s a good natured hound who loves people, especially when they scratch her belly. She’ll be on a lead or tethered in all areas campers are present.
