Archive for June, 2011

It’s 10:30 p.m. and I hear some staff gathered near me. They sound like they’re having such a good time, I feel I ought to join them. Turns out, they were really enjoying recounting the day and how much fun it had been. Counselors have been coming to me during the day to share how much they like their cabin. There is a real sense of enjoying being with each other.

The first night, there were intermittent rain showers all evening. This did not making fires to cook S’mores very easy. I visited several cabins and saw a real spirit of wanting to see things through and get the fire built right. There was also an understanding that a few drops of rain weren’t going to drive us back indoors.

And there has been a tremendous amount of giving back to the community. I saw today how Bears cabin stepped up and did another cabin’s chore in addition to their task of cleaning all the pots and dishes for 160 people. They all seemed to grow a inch after that.

Cabins also stepped up and each did good work writing up a cabin contract. I have already heard reference to these when there is inappropriate behavior: “remember guys, we talked about this when we made the contract.” We also had a little workshop today about personal space and how having good boundaries means we’ll all get along better. As a group is forming, behavior is never going to be 100% perfect and this provides many teachable moments.

And the old-fashioned running around fun? Tonight’s all camp game was Kingdoms, which involves bandannas, strategy and a lot of charging around from hilltop to hilltop. The weather was sunny and perfect and I could not be happier about how the first days of camp are going.

There is a photo of each cabin having dinner on the first night that are now posted on the F&W website under “For Camp Families” tab in the left-hand column and then Current Summer Photos. (When using your login, please note the username is singular, not plural.)

I look forward to keeping you all inspired and informed.

Welcome families:

We can’t wait to announce your arrival to Timberlake. Please park diagonally and tightly so that we can fit as many cars as possible in our limited parking spaces at Timberlake. See you soon! We ‘ll hand you the following information when you arrive:

Welcome to Timberlake!

We’re glad you’re here and hope you’re ready for an enthusiastic start to the summer! Below you’ll find the steps you will need to complete this afternoon, beginning as of 1 p.m.:

1. Health Check - Please visit the infirmary to check-in your camper. (There is a form and health letter for parents and a lice check for campers.) Jane and Wendie, our nurses, will be available to receive medications, answer questions, etc.

***Note*** Before leaving camp, all necessary medical records/forms must be completed. (Staff at the infirmary can tell you if there is anything missing.) Copies can be made at the nurse’s office. The Main Office is available for faxing medical documents as needed.

2.  Move-In - Your camper’s counselor will show your camper down to his cabin. Counselors are happy to assist in moving items down to cabins. Campers may want to unpack and arrange their bunk now or wait until later.  Unpacking for them may be tempting, but try to resist and leave that moment for the camper.

3. Knife Safety - Once in your cabin, get your basic knife safety check from your counselor.

——Steps above need to be completed before moving on to below ——–

4. Swim Tests - All campers need to complete a swim test. Parents are welcome to watch but we ask to please not crowd the docks. If we experience inclement weather we shall halt the tests and restart when it has passed

5. Meet & Greet - For parents at 3 p.m. in Ken’s Lodge (across from the Trading Post). Campers will settle in the cabin and start activities. This is a great time to say your goodbyes.

6. Barn Chores - 4.00 p.m.  (We ask that all parents say their final goodbyes by this bell)

**Note*** Lunch will not be provided to campers or parents today. We ask that you please make other arrangements. The first camp meal will be dinner.

We got in character today for our “Mock Day” - a dress rehearsal for a typical day at camp, complete with songs (”Paradise”!), swim lessons (first thing in the morning, so we know what if feels like!), learning to share at the lunch table, and even staying in character during rest hour. The “campers” successfully built new benches in meeting circle and herded up an escaped cow and goat. The experience gave teachers a chance to teach and counselors got to walk a few steps in a campers shoes and see what that’s like. A brilliant day being finished off with a Council Fire. Thanks for all the hard work of staff and particularly our new Program Director Jon Schoder.

Hello Timberlake Families!

My name is Paul Eley and I’m the Senior Lodge Head for this summer at Timberlake. I’m really excited to work with you and your campers and want to take this chance to introduce myself. First, I want you to know that I am always available should you have any questions, concerns, hopes, dreams or anything else that you would like to share, because I’d like to hear them.

Last year was my first year at TL, working as a Big Lodge counselor and un-official trips leader guru guy. I really fell in love with the strength of this community and the enthusiasm of the campers, not to mention the fantastic food and beautiful location. So, returning here for a second year was an easy decision.

I have been working with children and teens since I was a teen myself, mostly as a babysitter, but also as a coach and mentor. In college I worked in an afterschool program at the elementary school and helped manage the high-schoolers that worked there too. After college, I began working at an Environmental Education center in Tennessee and discovered a passion for teaching in the outdoors. I moved to Vermont in early 2009 and have been working with school groups of all ages since then, exploring the natural wonders around us and working to create strong, empathic, supportive communities through team-building initiatives and group games.

We have a strong staff in Senior Lodge this year, with several returners and two new counselors who were also campers here. I know that we’ll be able to provide an unforgettable experience for your camper, and the counselors in Senior Lodge will empower your son to assume the leadership roles that we know they’re capable of.

I will be your main contact person here if you ever have any questions or concerns. I can be reached by phone at the TL Office (aka “Bat Cave”) at (802)422-2316 or by email at seniorlodge.tl@gmail.com. Together we can make this summer an incredible one for your camper, full of excitement, adventure, skills mastery, community and growth.

I look forward to an awesome and rewarding summer with your campers!

Sincerely,
Paul Eley
Senior Lodge Head

Dear Timberlake Families,

I would like to take the time to welcome those who are new to the Farm & Wilderness community, and welcome back those that are returning. We’re heading into another amazing summer at Timberlake camp.

This will be my second year as the Big Lodge Head and I am extremely excited about what this summer has in store for us all. I have over 13 years of experience in several different educational settings, including six years as a counselor/head counselor at a camp located in the foothills of the Oregon Coast. I have also worked in a classroom setting for over 10 years helping students to meet their social, emotional and educational goals for personal success and growth.

The Big Lodge counseling staff are an amazing group of highly qualified and caring people. They bring a wide range of skill sets to their position and are ready to pass those skills on to the Timberlake community.

This summer will be filled with growth, discovery, skills building and the confidence that comes from living within a caring and supportive community environment for your campers.

Before you arrive and as the summer progresses, I will also be your main contact person if there are any questions or concerns that may arise. Please feel free to contact me at biglodge.tl@gmail.com or (802) 422 2316 for any special needs your camper may have while attending Timberlake (dietary, medical etc.) so that we may ensure the best experience for your camper.

I look forward to an awesome summer and to meeting and greeting each of you and your campers.

Best Regards,

Erik Biornstad
Big Lodge Head
Timberlake Camp

Greetings Timberlake Families:

My name is Jeremy Wright and I am excited to be the First Lodge head this summer at Timberlake. I am new here to the Farm & Wilderness culture; however, I have loads of experience working with children.

I held a few positions at an elementary school in Kentucky for 7 ½ years. During my tenure, I worked with a wide range of children helping them meet their social, physical, educational, and emotional goals, as well as supplying enthusiasm, interest and support for their wants and needs. I also coached basketball on three different levels; Little League, AAU/ middle school, and high school varsity. I was the coordinator for the communities AAU program for two years and was the recipient of the Greater Campbellsville United 2010 Outstanding African-American in Education Award.

I believe we have GREAT staff here at Timberlake especially in the First Lodge. There is a very good mix of former campers and veteran counselors who will be working in the First Lodge. I am confident in my abilities and am ready and willing to take on all challenges. I am also committed to making this experience one that your camper will never forget.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to contact me via email at firstlodge.tl@gmail.com or call me at the TL Office (aka “Bat Cave”) at (802) 422-2316.

Thanks and Blessings,
Jeremy S. Wright

Staff have been with me for only five days, but it feels like we are packing a week into every day. When I look around at the young men working with me this summer,  I see so many wonderfully different personalities, backgrounds and characters that I know all different types of boys will get to have a wide range of staff who appreciate them.

And what has this staff been doing and learning?

- Barn Chores at 6am!
- Over 15 staff will have their Red Cross lifeguard certificate
- Our Outdoor Living Skills Head acquired some hides to tan this summer
- Our cooks have cleaning and recleaned our TL Kitchen
- Orienteering courses with maps and compasses
- Bird call identification
- Two more Red Cross Water Safety Instructors
- Learning Belaying and Rock Climbing procedures at camp and Silverlake
- How to chop wood correctly
- Using skits as learning tools, not just entertainment
- Witness the birth of two new calves
- Wilderness Trips Skills.
- Cleaning lots of dishes (Work is Love Made Visible)
- Getting our Wilderness First Aid
- Preparing for Staff Week… more trainings, woot! woot!

These are only a few of the things we are learning in our big group of all F&W staff.

On Monday we’ll start eating at Timberlake and there will be only(?) fifty of us.

What I am most proud of is how my staff is working together as a group. When a staff has joined the group late, they are immediately included and welcomed. There is plenty of bouncy, fun energy as well as thoughtful and gentle moments. I know that you will are eager for your son’s counselor to have all these qualities.

I can reassure you that I wish for exactly the same. Several Farm and Wilderness Directors, including myself, will have campers at Timberlake this summer. There were a few different possibilities for who would be their counselors and I can honestly say when I saw the lists I did not mind who my son was with - all options looked  strong.

In case you think I might be rather indifferent to this sort of thing, I assure you I can be fussy with the best of them - and I am not ashamed to say so! I’m rather surprised at myself at how easy it is for me to let go and trust these young men. They are hard working, fun to be with, and most of all…kind.

We are looking forward to your arrival and continue to prepare for it.

Tulio

Backpacks

Both backpacks and boots are best when they are well-fitted.  If you foresee many family camping trips ahead it’s worth going to your local outdoor gear store and allowing their experts to measure your child and advise you.    You can also go to an online dealer, find a good pack for under 100$ and try it around the house before camp.   Some good makes in a reasonable price range are: Kelty, Teton, and LL Bean.  The latter are pricier, but the pack is guaranteed for life which is great when a zipper or strap breaks.

When asked: “How big a pack should I buy?

My answer would be “How big a pack can he carry?”   Your son’s height and build will determine the size, but anything less than 2700 cubic inches may be too small while packs about 5000 cc will only be needed for the longest of trips.     Most  Timberlake  hiking, canoeing and rock climbing trips this summer are four days and three nights, with one-two trips of five or six days for 13 to 14 year olds.

I am going to steer you away from conventional external frame backpacks and classic stiff leather hiking boots.   The former are good for most hikes and distribute the weight well but internal frame packs do a good job of that now and they are better for your balance on the trail.   Boots that are made to last a lifetime can take awhile to break in, while lighter and more comfortable hiking boots will provide ankle support and good traction.

Boots and footwear

As a parent of three I know that footwear is important and also can be expensive.    Perhaps the most important is that they are willing to wear these boots.   Many activities may only be done in closed toe shoes, so we want campers to wear their boots around camp as well as the trail.

What types of footwear is best suited for camp?

Boots with ankle support will be needed for hiking.  They can be lightweight and ideally are comfortable and  popular enough with your son that they will wear them around camp.

A solid pair of leather boots are wonderful things, so if your son has a pair that is already broken in by all means bring them.

Crocs would be  wonderful except for the fatal flaw of really lousy traction - which can result in a twisted ankle or even a fracture when trails are wet.  You can pack these as your fair weather pair.

Mesh shoes with a good sole that are designed to get wet are handy.

Sports sandals (like Tevas) are nice for the afternoon or evening but not mornings:  All AM activities require closed toe shoes.

And then there is your classic running shoe, always a good all around item.

Finally, don’t forget the socks.  If you can find a deal on inexpensive wool socks, they work much better at camp than cotton socks.  Except for the hiking pair, these can be thin and worn every day.

And mark/label everything.

As a parent, I know that when packing with your son there’s a narrow path between asked to do it all for them and being told that “I can do it myself!”.  Feel free to gently remind them that Tulio requested it be a collaborative effort.

Thank you parents, for helping get ready for camp… and for just being parents!

The camp is self is feeling rather beautiful after getting a lot of attention from families at Spring Planting.  Specifically, the upper lodge has had some shrubbery cut back and flowerbeds weeded.

The staff are finishing up their studies and other jobs and also doing some online training to switch into the mind set of camp, and probably wondering how many pairs of shorts to bring to camp, just like the parents.   The difference is that they arrive on June 10th for almost three weeks of training and team building.  You can imagine how ready we are for the rest of you to arrive by June 29th!

My best guess for returning campers is… counting the days!

For new campers, savoring the thought of being outside almost all the day with other campers and dozens of staff that want to help you fit in and do great things.

Personally, I can’t wait for that moment when campers get together during the first 24hrs and start forming friendships straight out of the gate.   During Spring Planting work weekend I witnessed lots of friendships form and it was really special.   Want a useful tip?  Do stuff together.  It doesn’t really matter what - staff are there to let you know about boundaries, so when someone on the first day says “Do you want to ….?”   just say “Yes!” and start doing it.    The snowball starts to roll downhill and before you know it you’ll be having a blast.