Building More Than Campfires: Camp Timberlake at 85

A conversation with W, Director of Camp Timberlake, on finding TL, leaving a legacy, and thinking about the next 85 years. Season 2, Episode 2 of the Farm and Wilderness Podcast. 

There’s no place quite like it. Nestled in the forests of Central Vermont, Camp Timberlake has been a place of summer magic for 85 years. It’s been the home away from home for so many campers over the years and is a place that fosters deep connections, personal growth, and epic fun. In this episode of the Farm & Wilderness Podcast, our guest host, Clarissa, the Firefly Song Director, chats with W, the Director of Camp Timberlake since 2019. They explore what makes Timberlake unique, its evolution over the years, and the camp’s enduring legacy and future aspirations.

Discovering Timberlake: A Director’s Origin Story

"I ended up really falling in love with the community and the intentionality of it in a way that I felt like I never really experienced until that point," W reflects on his first summer at Timberlake as a college student. That really captures the essence of Timberlake's allure—the creation of a space where intentionality fosters a profound sense of community. From there, camp was the constant each summer since 2007, even as W moved from Los Angeles to New York City and eventually Vermont. From counselor to summer leadership to camp director, camp always felt like a place to go back to. W’s journey from discovering Timberlake in college in Los Angeles to embracing the role of director demonstrates camp's transformative power.

The Core Values of Timberlake

Timberlake’s key outcomes are agency, sincerity, and interconnectedness. "All of us at Farm and Wilderness are thinking a lot about the notion of impact and what we are doing to grow good humans," W shares, highlighting Timberlake’s commitment to nurturing these values. This ethos not only shapes campers and staff but also fosters a supportive and low-competition environment where everyone is encouraged to look out for one another and grow together. Together with the Farm & Wilderness values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equity, and Sustainability, Timberlake is a place of magic.

Adapting to Challenges: Timberlake During COVID-19

The pandemic posed unique challenges for Timberlake and Farm & Wilderness. After closing for summer 2020, reopening for summer 2021 was a huge task. "There are those moments during COVID where I thought, ‘I don't want to do this. I don't think I can do this, but I’m the one here to do it’” W remarks. W describes the decisions around adapting camp to keep everyone safe, a summer F&W called “Special Edition.” It was important to grapple with what to keep and what to change – campers couldn’t hold hands, couldn’t sing inside, and the oldest couldn’t mentor the youngest. It was tough to navigate the changes and to hold Timberlake in the summers after.

Celebrating 85 Years of Timberlake

Reflecting on Timberlake's 85th anniversary, W talks about the importance of storytelling and shared experiences in shaping the camp's legacy. To celebrate, F&W will be collecting 85 stories from campers, staff, alumni, and community members. "I am so excited about what the next 85 years is going to hold for us," W says, pointing to a future filled with the same spirit of growth, community, and resilience that has marked Timberlake's past. Camp in many ways feels like it always has: campers are still building structures, making campfires, doing chores, and caring for farm animals.

The Future of Timberlake: Sustainability and Inclusion

Looking forward, Timberlake remains committed to sustainability and inclusivity, key components of its mission to grow good humans. Initiatives aimed at fostering a deeper connection with nature and ensuring that the camp is a welcoming space for all are at the forefront of Timberlake's plans for the future. Timberlake, and the rest of Farm & Wilderness, is exploring partnerships with schools to bring new campers into the fold and thinking deeply about the effects of climate change on the property long term to keep Timberlake thriving well into the future.

Final Thoughts

Timberlake stands as a beacon of growth, community, and resilience—a place where campers and staff alike can learn, thrive, and contribute to a legacy that goes beyond outdoor activities. W’s conversation with Clarissa not only celebrates Timberlake's past and present but also looks towards a future where the camp continues to evolve while staying true to its core values. As Timberlake looks to the next 85 years, it does so with the intention of building more than fires—it aims to build strong, compassionate, and thoughtful campers and staff alike.

Learn more about Timberlake by checking out their Instagram, @BigbellTL. Also be sure to check out the episode below, subscribe to our podcast, or listen to the teaser!