It is a new year and all across the land people are making resolutions to improve themselves. We we pretty much have this resolution for camp going all the time, but it just so happens that our project started now. This will be a beautiful three story building that will house a new infirmary and give other daily camp activities some needed space on the bottom floor.

We need a name. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Happy Camping!
Director Dan

I had the pleasure today of giving a tour to Camp Timberlake’s own, Stephen Owens (AKA the Sultan of Fun). His eyes were huge with amazement. It was like I was Willy Wonka with young Charlie in the Chocolate Factory! Doris was full of liquid chocolate (Just kidding). Even though he lives here, he has intentionally stayed away so that he could see it finished. It earned the Sultan’s seal of approval so we got a picture of him giving the bear a fist bump.

This is the area above the lake that we will certainly use for vespers, chapel, and evening activities. I think it is pretty cool. Did I tell you that our whole waterfront now has a sound system for listening to music? Pretty awesome!

You have to see this as well. Mike did a handstand acrobatic jump off the tower. How cool is that guy? Really cool.

Director Dan

No this is not the newest Camp Timberlake activity option! (Though that would be a fantastic April Fool’s joke for our insurance provider). While creating the road we found a really cool piece of wood that was begging to be made into either a Heisman trophy or a Big Bear. So we decided to hire the chainsaw artist, Mountain Dan, (who apparently has a documentary film out about him) to use his unique gift to make us a bear. Because why not?

Again, we have got to come up with a name. “Naming” has become a new trend at camp hasn’t it?

Then there is this. Doris got her new Blob tower! It looks super tall right now because the water is still a little low. And of course we need to inflate our Blob and put it out on the water. Soon, campers….soon.

This summer is going to be amazing!

Director Dan

Our rock wall is finished and they are putting in posts for a railing around the top. The canoeing and kayaking dock is almost complete. Notice how it ties into the swim dock and boat house. By the way, should we call it that?

These guys are working hard to get the steel posts attached to the concrete footers under the water. We had a pretty good rain the other day and so the lake is filling up nicely. I was a little worried with the increased size that it might take too long to fill old Doris with water! They looked pretty cold and miserable trying to get them in place wading in the cold water. I thought they might need some scuba gear but they seemed to manage. I also think that blow torch is a nice touch to the photo!

Happy Camping!

Director Dan

So we have been a little sneaky (but in a good, “we are throwing our campers a really large camp surprise party” sort of way). We decided over the winter that if we are truly serious about making camp amazing then our waterfront needed a little face lift. That’s right, Doris got a little work done! And man are we ever excited about it. Local builder (and a new Camp Timberlake hero), Robert Sulaski, is in charge of the project and has done a fantastic job. He is the same man who made “the Mark” before camp last summer.

So what exactly has been done?

Good question. The biggest thing is that we have added to the size of our lake by a third by digging out a ton of dirt where the road (and Canoe Hut) once was. If you stand on the new rock wall and look across the lake you realize that it would be a pretty long swim to get all the way to the other side! Nice, Doris…Nice.

So what happened to the Canoe Hut? Well, we upgraded that too. I am not even sure the “Hut” title would still apply. Maybe Canoe Palace? Whatever we end up calling it, the canoes (and kayaks) will be much happier! Actually I need to tell you that Ryan Carlson’s brother, Aaron, recycled the wood from the old hut and made a chicken coop out of it. Which I personally think is really cool.

Then comes our new waterfront area! Though our swim dock is mostly the same, we are adding a tower to it. Why would we do that? Because you have to have some way to jump onto the Blob don’t you? That’s right. We now have a Blob. It is getting serious over here isn’t it?

Our Canoeing and Kayaking area is now going to be connected by the same entrance but the canoe dock will extend a long ways along the large, new rock wall (which is also beautiful) and have much more space for teaching than we had previously.

What happened to the road? Another good question. This is actually my favorite part of the project. We ran it alongside the Mike, between Stomper’s Knob and Greybeard (put the creek in a sweet looking culvert with stonework), and up then behind Swamp/Animal House to connect with the road leading up to Merri-Mac (behind the Chapel). I can already see tetherballs spinning and frisbees flying back there between Stomper’s Knob and Greybeard. It looks like a camper heaven to me.

Why all of this work? Because we see that you guys are growing and becoming more wonderful each day and we want our camp property to do the same thing! We are just following your lead. This is an investment in your future at camp and it is truly one that will make camp a more fun place to be! We look forward to you joining us this summer and being the first campers to enjoy it.

Happy Camping!

Director Dan

The roof is almost complete

Seminole and Iroquois Chiefs!

Closet space is so valuable to us! I'm really happy.

Tall ceilings eh?

It is really happening people! Once again, Robert Sulaski is my hero.

Director Dan

He's not worried!!!

Guys, it is looking good. The weather has been holding off for us, the floor is laid, and as of today the beams are going up! We are all just a little giddy this afternoon. And as you can see from the opening photo, as usual, these guys are cool as cucumbers. Here are some more shots of the progress.

Getting power lines in place. Sorry soccer!

Beams all around

A side view of the Mark

Needless to say…At this point we are thrilled!

Director Dan

New lake? No guys. That is a footer!

Doing things the easy way is apparently not a very “campy” way to be. So we decided to start a major building project within a month of summer camp actually starting. Mostly the fun is in watching our contractors sweat and develop hives, but the hives usually become contagious after a while.

Well, not with our contractor. Robert Sulaski laughs in the face of deadlines! He is like some sort of superhero. “No no, that carved native American totem pole simply will not do! Take it back and do it again….We still have time,” he sneers at the artsy man from somewhere in Kentucky. Even in the face of numerous April showers and sketchy soil quality because of moisture Robert is undaunted! “Dig a trench here to funnel the water away from the site,” he tells his graders. Truly a master in his craft! What do you think campers? Are we going to make it? Here are some pictures.

Look at those huge logs! Nice eh?

lumber arrives and is painted

Footers are poured. This is happening people!

Any thoughts? I think it will happen! Robert means business.

Director Dan

The layout of our new pavilion

Our new Pavilion at Spencer's