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.

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.

…is the beauty of the land, and the lack of barriers to experiencing it. For more pictures of Spring, have a look at the latest Spring Photo Galllery on the F&W Webpage

(http://www.farmandwilderness.org/photo-gallery?g2_itemId=4883)

to see some lovely sights of our rather tardy Springtime.

Jonathan Schoder, Program Director:

“I’m so excited to return to Timberlake! Every year I learn new things about myself and the TL community. I’m thrilled to see campers I had in first lodge become the leaders of camp just a few years later. TL has had a huge impact in shaping my life, so I’m thankful to have the opportunity to give back to the community.”

Zach Duncan-Tessmer, Creative Arts Activity Head:

“As a father of a TL aged, energetic, mischievous boy I am always impressed with the way all that boy-energy flows into projects and activity and care for fellow campers without seeming to be directed.  At TL those boys are allowed, and expected, to be their better selves.  No Cell phones!  Camp is beautiful.  A reason for returning that stands alone is the food, usually organic or local, often from the camp itself, and always delicious.  Lastly, and maybe most importantly, camp is a three-week learning experience without the kids always identifying that they are having a ‘Learning Experience’.  ”

Andrew Moss, Cook (Cook 2007-08)

“F&W puts me in a good place.  I look forward to a mental cleansing”

Sam Tolzman

“I’ve been to Ice Cutting and had contact with people who have been to Farm and Wilderness and I can see how it promotes a way of living that is self-reliant and where you are engaged with your own life”

Willy Appleby

“It’s a solid place to come back to”

What a wave of great returning staff we are having. I asked each staff to share some of their motivations for coming back this summer. Here are a few of their words:

Chelsea Greenwald, Assistant Director:

“Mambo Timberlake! I’m so excited to be returning to camp this year as the Assistant Director. While it was difficult for me to take a year off from my second home on The Lake last summer, I spent my time working at an elementary school in Tanga, Tanzania, training as a Corps member with Teach for America, and starting my new, post-college life in Houston, Texas. Thanks to my new position as a 4^th grade teacher, I am lucky enough to have the summer off, and couldn’t imagine a better way to spend it than with the Farm and Wilderness Community. I am looking forward to a summer of teamwork, adventure, and magic and can’t wait to meet the new staff and campers in a few short months. I have high hopes for a logistically solid, smooth-running summer that allow everyone to really focus on working with our amazing community and soaking up the TL experience. I wish everyone a happy and fulfilling Spring season. See you all in June!”

Mike O’Conner, Cabin Staff:

“I’m looking forward to the special bonds that form between campers and staff through trust, honesty and friendship.”

Gunther Bains, Cabin Staff:

What brings and drives me back to Timberlake?

“The warmth of the cabin cookout fires”

“Laughter always filling the air”

“Life long lasting memories”

“My second home, and playground”

“Renewed friendships”

These are a few things that bring me back to TL.

Susan Kennedy, Head Cook:

“I’m very excited to return to the TL kitchen this year. I look forward to sharing with the campers my enthusiasm for cooking and appreciation for nature - especially spiders!”

Jared Edwards, Cook:

“Gonna cook for the kids, gonna make it delicious, try to keep it nutritious, create wonderful dishes. This summer’s gonna be awesome!!”

Jon Schubert, Cabin Staff:

“I am excited to go back to TL for the summer because its a return to something that I am passionate about… cliché but true.”

Robert Miller, Cabin Staff:

“Timberlake is very special to me because everyone works together and there are strong bonds between everyone. As a result, when I was a camper I experienced major personal transformations because it was a place where I felt secure in who I was and where I could accept myself because everyone else accepted me. As a result of this, I would really like to help campers experience the beauty of TL’s community so that hopefully they can experience some of the joy and comfort that I felt at TL. On a more specific level I am excited to go back to the waterfront and to teach people canoeing. I have always loved canoeing and last year I really enjoyed teaching it. “

Thad Gibson, Work Projects Activity Head:

“I am eager to return to TL so that I can improve on my successes and rectify my shortcomings from years past. Every year working at that TL, I grow personally and professionally and I also see growth in the campers and staff around me. The fact that my first group of campers will now be in Upper Senior Lodge and leaders in the community makes me especially proud and anticipatory for the coming summer.”

Micah Baritt

“I am drawn to work with kids. I miss how much there is too learn from each other. I’m looking forward to kids having a sense of excitement about Barns and Gardens and a sense of ownership… it’s their farm. “

The following are all quotes from the 2010 Camper Survey:

“That it’s really great to have a break in life and to learn what people used to do to survive back then. I’d say it’s really amazing.”

“The activities were great, and the food was the best”

“Its an awesome experience, unlike anything else. It is a place to have adventures, take risks, and challenge yourself.”

“You learn to live independently.”

“You will have much fun and be surprised about what you find within your self”

“i dont have to, they would already love it but i would say that this is a great way to just be free and live life to the fullest with nature and some of the best people in the world.”

“That it is fun and you get to jump from this awesome rope swing”

“I just would tell them that the camp is awesome!!! I would just tell them about spynight, Androscoggin, the food, hanging around camp, and all the other awesome stuff that goes on at TL.”

“That it is a fun camp where no one makes fun of you and you can try whatever you want.”

“I would tell them about the idyllic community, the freedom, the wonderful people and friends that they would meet, the skills they would learn and describe to them what days at camp are like.”

“It’s a place somewhere in Vermont where you can take control of your life and what you want.”

“its a very good way to get away from city life and to make new friends”

“BECAUSE TL AND F+W IS THE BEST CAMP EVER TO BE ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET AND ALL THE OTHER PLANETS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!!!!!!”