Archive for the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ Category

One of the most recurring questions over the years has been how to know what, if any, knife to bring to camp. This is an optional item that is also subject to clear guidelines you find below.

Like other Farm and Wilderness camps, we use knives for many things at Timberlake - not the least of is whittling and carving. If you choose to bring a knife it’s important to have a good one, but please don’t spend a lot of money! In fact, the knife I recommend is one of the cheaper items you bring to camp. Also, if you’re new to knives, please don’t experiment with it! We’ll teach you how to use it safely when you get here.

We have different ages and experience at camp. All campers will take a knife test on the first day of camp. Younger and less experiences campers are directly supervised in whittling and carving by staff that will collect and keep the knives after the activity is finished (this is why it’s important they are clearly labeled). Older and more experienced campers may carry their knives with them and use them when a counselor is present.

Recommendations: The knife I want to suggest is usually available at camping stores, and is a folding-blade. It’s from France, and is called an Opinel. These knives are nice and easy and will sharpen well. Opinels No. 8, 9 and 10 all have blades under 4″ and are camp-legal.

If you already own a knife or cannot acquire an Opinel, you may bring a different knife if it meets these requirements:

Guidelines: 1) It should be a sheath knife or it MUST have a locking blade if it’s a folding knife. 2) The blade may not exceed 4″. 3) The handle should be comfortable and fit well into your hand. 4) The blade shouldn’t be serrated, unless it’s a multi-blade knife and you have one blade with teeth and one without. 5) The blade should be straight and sturdy, but not too thick.

The first rule in knife safety is keep them sharp. “If your knife is sharp, it will slide easily through what you are cutting, with little force involved. If the knife is blunt, you have to force it and if you slip there is real danger of cuts.” This is true for camp knives too, so you may want to get ahold of a whetstone (a sharpening stone) to help you keep it sharp is a good idea too. You can get a nice coarse/fine double sided one for less than ten dollars.

Finally, make sure once you have your new knife that you get your name on it somewhere! If you can use engraving tool, write it along the side of the blade, or scratch it into the handle. Whatever you do, make sure it’s clearly yours!

If you’re new to using knives, please don’t experiment until you get to camp and we can teach you all about how to use it safely.

I’ve noticed, as perhaps others have as well, there is more spam out there, more political causes and ads that come into our inbox and it’s harder to sift through it. Some of you probably have so many emails it feels like a daily chore just keeping up with the news.

The TL Blog is always here when you feel like checking it. When you are in the mood, you can check it for an update. While I don’t update on a rigid schedule, there’s always at least one new entry a week.

When you want to share it with another family member, there is no delay - you just send them to the blog!

I always try to direct folks to the Blog in my emails, but if the link doesn’t work it’s nice to know you can find your way here via the F&W web.

…and thanks for reading. As a parent myself I know we can be sponges for news about our kids when we are away, and I appreciate many of you would not tire of much greater detail about each day and each child, but bear with me as i try to provide the general tone and feeling of camp and let me know via email if there is a big part you are missing. Thanks