TimberTales

Oct-imberlake!!!!!!!

2009-10-07T13:35:00.002-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Fall is here!

Things are hopping along nicely up here at Camp Timberlake! The dining hall is closed in and the inside is looking awesome. Did I fail to mention that there will be a boys and a girls bathroom included in this renovation? No more little random bathroom in the closet! Well, it will still be there, but just for the kitchen staff to use. The dining area ceiling is vaulted, and it really does make the dining hall soooo much bigger. We are going to have to come up with a new location for the infamous program helmet because the old spot is destroyed. Don't worry, I got the helmet before the demolition started!

Congratulations to the first quiz winner, Clay Crevasse! He won an old school Timbertool and I have included a hilarious picture that he took upon receiving it. That guy is awesome. We need more pictures like that for the blog so go ahead and put those on our facebook page so I can get them on here too.

If you enjoyed the first quiz and want another, well here it is ---> Timberlake Trivia Quiz 2! If you score between above an 84%, take a screenshot of your score, and we'll send you not only a vintage TimberTool, but we'll also send you a customized Desktop Background picture featuring your tribe!! So check it out and see if you are a Timberlake Genius!

Staff Hired:

We had a big day yesterday for Timberlake hiring! The first Timberlake staff member (contract signed) was Stewart Knight (returning counselor from 2 summers ago). He is an ultimate frisbee champion and is fired up about Minor Sports. Next on the list was soccer stud and 2009 staff veteran, Will Andrews. I also hired paintball master, London Lewis as a junior counselor. We are thrilled to have those guys back! Next on the list is a new fellow, Josh Ragan. He is a mountain biker from Carson-Newman and sure to be a great asset to camp! I will keep you posted on more of these as they come in, but don't hesitate to give your favorite counselors a call (or write on their facebook walls) to tell them you want them back this summer.

So until next time!

Director Dan

Do you know Timberlake facts?

2009-09-29T13:27:00.002-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Lots of fun at Camp Timberlake!

We want to keep you guys posted on the dining hall progress, so here is another quick blog with some new photos. The roof above my office has been removed, and as I type I am seriously a little worried that one of the construction guys is going to fall through the ceiling while they put a new one on. This fear was compounded by one of the guys coming in to see what he would hit if he fell. Ha ha...Me. Disconcerting to say the least!

Any word from the staff?

Well, we had a few guys visit the other day for the Singletary joint birthday party. My son and I have birthdays one day apart and so we had a big bash up in the Mike on Saturday. The theme was tractors, and Bobby brought his beautiful blue New Holland up there so we could decorate it. The hope was to take kids pictures on it with Bobby beside them, but the rain came and killed the idea. Those present were: Alex Deckard, Connor Carrigan, Stewart Knight, Will Long (of course), and Stephen Owens. A good time was had by all!

Speaking of Will Long, he has created a Timberlake quiz for you guys. This is tons of camp trivia from years past. If you score between 85 and 100 percent on this he is prepared to mail you a prize. Go to this link to take the Timberlake trivia quiz

So until next time!

Director Dan

Camp could be coming to your hometown!

2009-09-22T14:54:00.002-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Going down the road for Camp Timberlake!

So even though it has rained for almost five days straight, we are still men of action here at Camp Timberlake. No rain will slow us down! The dining hall project is in full swing (I have included some pictures over there). And we just about have our travel schedules complete for October and November. So far they are as follows:

Sept. 29- Valdosta, GA (The Wilson's)

Sept. 30- Ocala, Fl (The Klein's)

Oct. 1- Tampa, Fl (The Sweeney's)

Oct. 2- Winter Haven, Fl (the Bogdahn's)

Oct. 3- St. Pete, Fl (the Free's)

Oct. 4- Greenville, NC (the Morgan's)

Oct. 4- Lakeland, Fl (the Martinez's)

Oct. 5- Naples, Fl (the Tierney's)

Oct. 6- Goldsboro, NC (the Holzkamm's)

Oct. 6- Naples, Fl (the Whitesell's)

Oct. 7- Goldsboro, NC (the Hancock's)

Oct. 7- Boca Raton, Fl (the Renko's)

Oct. 8- Rocky Mount, NC (the Gutshall's)

Oct. 8- Boynton Beach, Fl (the Rodriguez's)

Oct. 9- Margate, Fl (the Palacio's)

Oct. 10- Palm City, Fl (the England's)

Oct. 11- Raleigh, NC (the Yerxa's)

Oct. 12- Durham, NC (the Quinn's)

Oct. 12- Raleigh, NC (the Schneider's)

Oct. 12- Orlando, Fl (the Rolls's)

Oct. 13- Chapel Hill, NC (the Hofmann's)

Oct. 13- Staff recruiting at RUF at UNC

Oct. 14- Chapel Hill, NC (the Hultman's)

Oct. 14- Suwanee, GA (the Adam's)

Oct. 15- Raleigh, NC (the Hunter's)

Oct. 17- Canton, GA (the Murphy's)

Oct. 18- Chapel Hill, NC (the Kayye's)

Oct. 19- Jackson, MS (the Brook's)

Oct. 20- Staff recruiting at NC State

Oct. 21- Jackson, MS (the Morse's)

Oct. 23- Oxford, MS (the Drummond's)

Oct. 24- Franklin, Tn (the Bittles)

Oct. 25- Charlotte, NC (the Smith's)

Oct. 28- Charlotte, NC (the Howell's)

Oct. 29- Concord, NC (the Rodriguez's)

Nov. 2- Atlanta, GA (the McGahan's)

Nov. 3- Dublin, GA (the Gay's)

Nov. 3- Rome, GA (the Schrimsher's)

Nov. 4- Gray, GA (the Lancaster's)

Nov. 4- Gainesville, Fl (the Perry's)

Nov. 5- Winter Haven, Fl (the Snively's)

Nov. 6- Tampa, Fl (the Showalter's)

Nov. 8- Daniel Island, SC (the Powell's)

Nov. 9- Savannah, GA (the Deal's)

Nov. 11- New Orleans, LA (the Rigby's)

Nov. 12- Mandeville, LA (the Holton's)

Nov. 12- Raleigh, NC (the Sealey's)

Nov. 14- Winston-Salem, NC (Sally Harper)

Nov. 15- Metairie, LA (the Silva's)

Nov. 19- Alexandria, LA (the Antoon's)

Nov. 19- Oxford, MS (the Byar's)

Nov. 22- Gulf Breeze, Fl (the Provosty's)

If you see your town on this list and want to celebrate Camp Timberlake from the comfort of your own hometown then please give us a call and we can get you directions. We hope that life is going well and hope to see you soon.

So until next time!

Director Dan

Dining Hall addition and camp rentals

2009-09-16T15:11:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - New stuff already? Oh yeah.

So we have broken ground on a new camp project for this upcoming summer. A screened in porch addition to the dining hall! It will give us some more space and make our eating location a little nicer for waffle and salad creating. I have included a few photos Will and I took yesterday of the footers and porch demolition.

What is going on around camp right now, Dan?

Well, good question. Last week we had Montreat college's science department on property to swim, eat delicious barbeque and play some horseshoes on the beach. Will Long and Ann Archer lifeguarded for them. Some kids actually went off the slide! Then just this past weekend Trinity Presbyterian's youth group came in for about the exact same sort of event. Lots of kids having a blast swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. It was weird for me because it felt like camp was happening, but just when I was about to get ready for an evening activity, everyone went home (without checking out). This friday we host Asheville Christian Academy's middle school (FYI- the Sultan of Fun is a teacher at this school). A good time should be had by all.

We miss you guys!

Until next week!

Director Dan

We're getting geared up already!

2009-09-09T09:56:00.002-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Ready...Set...Go!

As you probably noticed from the last post, we here at Camp Timberlake are proud to welcome our newest intern, Will Long. He is basically a computer genious and an all around great guy to be around so we decided to recruit him to work for us in the "off-season" to help keep in touch with campers and hire staff. The office has gotten a lot more lively with him around!

What is happening around camp?

Former staff member and video master, Chris Galloway, is finishing up the last editing of a brand new Camp Timberlake video! It is amazing people. I couldn't be more thrilled with his work, and tons of you guys are in it. Bobby is riding around aerating, fertilizing, and re-seeding the grass. Adam is talking to some contractors about adding on to the dining hall (once again!). And all of us are working on our travel plans for camp recruiting. So far I have gotten a few video showings in Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee for both October and November. We should be sending out invitations to campers soon who live in the towns that we are visiting, but if you are interested in your family hosting a meeting please give us a call. We would love to see you!

So in the words of Vanilla Ice, " Will it ever stop? Yo...I don't know"

We don't know either, Vanilla, and furthermore we don't want it to."

Director Dan

Summer is Over, But the Fun Won't Stop!

2009-09-03T12:47:00.006-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - We miss you here at Timberlake!

This past summer was an incredible one. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end; but that won't stop us from keeping in touch! We have been working on a few ways to do just that: First, we will be posting a new TimberTales entry each week, so make sure to check back to get the down-low on camp, campers, and staff in the off-season. Second, you can use the Address Books on this site to keep in touch with your fellow campers and staff. And third, we are hosting a Timberlake College Fantasy Football League for you to compete for a 2009 Timbertool as the grand prize! The group name is "Timberlake Football Pick", and the password is "morning yell". Everyone is invited to join!

Staff News

Will Long is now on board with us full time for the next three months and is planning a few home shows, so please let him know if you are interested in hosting one. Alex Deckard recently interview with Montreat Pres to become the church's new youth pastor, and we're certainly hoping that he'll find the right job and that he'll stay in the area for next summer! Steven Buhrman, Matt Layton, Stephen Owens, and Connor Carrigan are also living in the Black Mountain/Asheville area and we are lucky enough to get to see them regularly.

From the Mail Bag

We want to hear from you so click on the "tell us" button and we'll post your comments here.

Happy Birthday!

Justus Ortiz is 15 today! Happy belated birthday to Adrian Boltz who turned 16 yesterday!

From the Big House with love,

Will Long

Ready to hurl some socks?

2009-03-20T14:02:00.002-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - The warmth means summer is near!

The snow is melting, bugs (and bears) are emerging from their winter slumber, and new buds are on the trees. You know what that means? It means that in a very short while the Iroquois and Seminole tribes will be hurling socks at one another!

Any new hires?

We just hired back a Timberlake classic, Will Long, for our waterfront! He attends Belmont University in Nashville and is a serious force for the Seminoles. We also hired David Knott from Auburn University (whose brother Adam worked here three years ago). Camp is shaping up nicely and I am really excited!

I also posted a really great photo of Sam Smith from his ROTC program. One of the coolest campers we have!

So until next time!

Director Dan

Where have you been?

2009-02-18T14:57:00.003-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Camp is just around the corner!

Whew! We have been burning up the road lately for camp. Over the past month I have been to Florida (Gainesville and Jacksonville), Missouri (St. Louis), South Carolina (Columbia), Tennessee (Knoxville and Nashville) and this weekend I go to Georgia (Atlanta)and then back to Florida (Orlando). We have been putting on home presentations for camp and also recruiting folks for our new adventure program, Black Mountain Expeditions. Camp is filling up fast, and if you are interested in going mountaineering in Bolivia, Fly-fishing in Southeastern Alaska for silver salmon (with yours truly), Heading over to Washington State or the High Sierras in California for some serious outdoor adventure then please give us a call and sign up as soon as possible. Don't let this opportunity go by!

Great Camping!

Director Dan

A New Year and a New Summer!!!!

2008-12-31T16:16:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - but we're pining for summer!

Well so now the ball of snow is officially rolling down the mountain. And man is it ever growing in speed and size. What are you talking about Dan you may be asking yourself? Well, I am talking about the preparations for the summer and the excitement that has already been generated about the impending summer! How do I know this? Just look into Drew Johnson's eyes in the above picture and tell me that he is not ready for a fantastic summer.

Staff hired?

Since last I blogged we have had a wonderful staff reunion weekend and a couple of campus visits to see former staff. We have also inverviewed quite a few new guys! But just yesterday I hired Connor Carrigan and Steven Buhrman. Wasn't that a successful day? We also have a ton of guys who are supposed to let us know in the coming weeks. I am really getting fired up because it is looking like once again the dream team of staff is going to be in place!

So until next time!

Director Dan

The long cold winter...

2008-11-25T13:23:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Camp is calling you...Can you hear it?

Goodness gracious people there has been a lot going on in Timbertale land! We have built a new log cabin for adult staff just above the archery range, traveled to far away lands (mostly Florida) to recruit your friends and neighbors, and hired back some excellent staff members for this upcoming summer.

So where all have you been?

Here is the rundown on our travels-Dan went to: The Quinn's in Durham, the Soeder's in Cary, the Murphy's in Canton, GA, the Battaglia's in Tampa (very presidential picture is above of me and the brothers Battaglia) the had a flag handy!, the Garons also in Tampa, the Provosty's in Gulf Breeze, the Snively's in Winterhaven, the Perry's in Gainesville, the Powell's in Daniel Island, SC, and finally the Merten's in Roanoke, VA. Adam has gone to a bunch of Merri-Mac homes, but as for Timberlake he has visited the Wilson's in Valdosta and the Smith's in Tampa.

How about hiring?

First off, we hired back the Sultan of Fun, Mr. Stephen Owens! Then next we hired Alex Deckard as CIT director. These are two great guys and HUGE assets to camp, and we are thrilled to have them back!

So until next time!

Directordan

Seasons at Timberlake...

2008-10-30T10:42:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Fall and Winter in October!

I bet there are days when you think to yourself, "I wonder what it would be like at Camp Timberlake right now?" Well, I'll tell you.....COLD!!! This morning it was 28 degrees and there were still patches of snow on the ground from the winter weather we got the other day. I promise you that the lake is not as warm and toasty as you remember it. But man is it ever beautiful! The leaves have all changed and are starting to fall; You can see more of the outline of the mountains; and there is some wonderful stuff happening for camp!

What is all that wonderful stuff, Dan?

We are starting to get some awesome returning staff hired! Just the other day I hired Steven Menendez back, and yesterday I hired Will Andrews! I also just got an application from Steven Menendez's brother, John! And there are a ton of folks who have said they are planning to return but just need a little more time to make sure about school schedules. So what I need from you campers is to give your favorite counselor a call and tell them to come on back! If you need numbers give us a call at camp. I'll hook you up!

Until next time,

Director Dan

Timberlake fantasy football midseason update!

2008-10-16T13:30:00.003-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Are you ready for some football?

So we are about mid-way through this battle for the title of "Camp Timberlake Fantasy Football Champion," and I just thought you might like to know where the standings are at this point.

In the NFL league (the top ten):

1. The Fighting Outbackers (Conner Carrigan)

2. The Ducks (John Andrews)

3. Trengelmann (Trey Engelman)

4. The Imperial March (which is actually my team, note the Darth Vader reference)

5. Rapid Assassin (Cole Heathcott)

6. Sean Brady (his name is his team)

7. The Crimson Iroquois (Gavin Reed)

8. The Dream Team (London Lewis)

9. The Trading Post Raiders (Louis Parchman)

10. Come On! (Tyler Sharpe)

Now the College Football Pick'em (top ten again)

1. The Imperial March (That's right, I am winning it all baby!)

2. The Trading Post Raiders (Louis Parchman is also a bowl scout for the Citrus Bowl!)

3. The Crimson Tide (Gavin Reed)

4. The Crimson Outbackers (Conner Carrigan)

5. Roll Tide Hootenany (Jacob Matteson)

6. Chunkybob (London Lewis)

7. Sam (Sam Pectol)

8. The Sultan (Stephen Owens)

9. Btag (Jason Battaglia)

10. Craighead (Hunter Spurgeon)

The winners of these will receive a Timbertool! Good luck to all.

Directordan

Black Mountain Expeditions (French Alps and Beyond)

2008-10-07T14:57:00.004-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - French Alps and beyond!

Adventure with Purpose

Mt. Blanc, Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, Notre Dame, The Louvre...Camp Merri-Mac & Camp Timberlake is launching Black Mountain Expeditions (BME) in the summer of 2009. Black Mountain Expeditions does wilderness and cultural expeditions throughout the globe. BME is offering a unique experience for previous Camp Merri-Mac & Camp Timberlake staff and college aged participants.

Join BME on your spring break 2009 for an adventure of a lifetime. Over the course of 9 days we will be traveling to France. We will explore and ski the French Alps in and around Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. We will ride the Gondola up to Aiguille du Midi on Mt. Blanc, the highest Peak in Europe, ski at world class ski areas and immerse ourselves in the mountain culture of the Alps. Back in Paris, we will have opportunity to explore the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and more. We will also take a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel, The Mont-Saint-Michel is an international place of pilgrimage and tourist center noted as "The wonder of the western world." Throughout this experience we will be focusing on how to make travel meaningful, Adventure with Purpose.

You will be part of BME?s first expedition and will be part of Camp Merri-Mac & Camp Timberlake history. This is an opportunity for you to have a role in shaping and forming the course of this program. You know best that time at an outstanding summer camp can be one of the most important experiences in a adolescents life. Help us launch a program committed to making this one of the most important experiences of the participant's life.

We are offering this program at cost (charging what it will cost to run the program). This price includes your flight from Atlanta to Paris, transportation once we arrive in France, food, lodging, ski passes and rentals, and any miscellaneous admission fees.

Please contact ryan@blackmountainexpeditions.com if you are interested or have any questions.

September at Timberlake

2008-09-24T09:41:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - We miss you guys!

So here is what you have missed at camp since you have been gone: Two different dancing groups have been here to rent camp. Apparently, the dancing community of western North Carolina loves us. The baby ducks that wandered around the lake with their mom all summer have all grown up and are now able to fly. The bullfrogs no longer live in fear of their Sunday morning catchings. Instead they lazily lounge around on the docks even when people are close by (They have no idea what they are in for next summer). The Timberlake cabin area is completely peaceful and quiet. I guess everything is really that way. We need you guys back! It just doesn't feel right.

What about the staff? Have you seen any of them?

I see Alex Deckard a lot because he works in town. He is doing great and living with Bryan Harris on Montreat rd. Josh Platt came over from college the other day to practice his roll in the lake. Stephen Owens brings over his dog Montie to run around the lake and act like it is going to swim but then decide not to. I went and played frisbee golf the other day with Steven Buhrman. He is at school now at UNCA and lives really close to a great disc golf course. Steven if you are reading this we need to go play again soon.

Black Mountain Expeditions

Probably the biggest thing that has happened at camp in a long time was the hiring of Ryan Carlson in August to head up our new adventure program, Black Mountain Expeditions. He was one of my roommates long ago and is not only an extremely talented outdoorsman, but also just a fantastic guy to be around. So we count ourselves blessed to get to work with him on a daily basis. He, his wife Annie, and dog, Stella are all new and wonderful additions to our camp family! More information will be available on Black Mountain Expeditions in the near future. It is gonna be amazing and you should consider adding one of its trips to your summer schedule!

Happy Camping!

Director Dan

Picking up speed for summer

2008-03-13T14:02:00.003-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - This is going to be awesome!

It dawned on me today that though I have mentioned a lot about the improvements to camp that have been done this fall and winter I still haven't posted any pictures on the blog. So if you will look up to the corner of this post you will notice some really cool shots of our new cabin, Greybeard (Can't you just picture Will Byrd or Bubba duck hanging out on the front porch?) Then I have some great pictures of Spencer's Green (and the rock at Spencer's green which is really cool). Our plan is to build a huge, multi-sided climbing wall right behind the rock so the folks waiting to climb can hang out on it. Spencer's Green actually has another little field above it (which has a fantastic view of the southernmost mountains in Black Mountain). Then there is the new archery range and pavilion. No longer will archery have to stop when the rains come. Oh no, they will be able to continue the shooting while remaining nice and dry. The range is actually extended as well! Then we have a new riflery range cleared and ready to build a new pavilion. Strangely enough It looks almost exactly like the old riflery range at this point though I am sure a new pavilion will change that because the old one was starting to show its age. We have done some other stuff as well: Bobby made a cool Japanese style bridge over on the other side of the lake, he removed all of the rocks and planted new grass in front of the Mike, and we are adding another brand new walk-in freezer to our kitchen which will be chock full of chicken patties for you when you get here.

Your fearless leader!

Dan

Timberlake questions for you

2008-02-14T15:40:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Camp anyone?

Here are some good camp related questions for you: In the history of Camp Timberlake who is the Battleball master? (and you can't vote for yourself...or Dan though thanks to any of you who thought it) Who was the greatest counselor that you ever had? What is the best camp activity that we presently offer? What is your greatest camp memory ever? Who is your favorite cabinmate ever? And finally, how much can Mike Denoia benchpress?

Snowballing momentum at Timberlake!

2008-01-18T16:42:00.001-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Who nellie!

A new year is finally upon us, and things here at Camp Timberlake are shifting into high gear! We have the the cabin, Greybeard, pretty much ready to roll (minus some new paint). All of the property is in a nice holding pattern, and staff are flocking to us like we are South America in the wintertime. And ohhhhh is it ever wintertime. I am talking cold people! It snowed four inches yesterday. And tomorrow calls for another four inches. But back to the staff.

Let me give you the list so far: (this is going to blow your mind)

Chris Healy (as of this past week), Steven Menendez (the Prodigal son returns!), Brian Bush (who has been climbing like crazy), Andrew Geppert (back from two summers ago), Parker Kempf (needs no explanation), Connor Carrigan (Captain paintball), Stephen Buhrman (oh yes!), Drew Andrews (what a stud!), Brent Bundrick (Dan, who isn't coming back?), Lyle Camp (he's the man!), and last but CERTAINLY not least (because he is huge) Mike Denoia.

Those on the fence are: Kevin Wolpert, Nathan Mlot, Stewart Knight, Benjamin Garner, Alex Deckard, George Alread, Matchett Gunn, and a few more that I need to get a hold of. So call each of them and tell them how much you want them back. While you are at it you can call the ones who are returning to celebrate with them in their glory!

Your fearless leader!

Dan

Camp Slideshows!!!

2007-12-28T13:02:00.000-05:00

First Session Slideshow

Second Session Slideshow

Staff Reunion!!!! Wow it's cold.

2007-12-21T11:02:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Frigid conditions? Who cares!

I must say that I have a whole new respect for the incredible awesomeness of our staff here at Camp Timberlake (and Merri-Mac for that matter!). Despite arctic conditions and super sub par insulation our staff members showed up at camp this past weekend and had an amazing time together playing battleball, cooking burgers, and I heard Nathan Mlot even jumped in the lake. Why did they do this? Because they love camp. And we love them. It was fantastic! Louis even made T-shirts.

Great Camping!

Dan

Elements of the "Greatest" Camp Games

2007-12-07T11:03:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - There's no stopping us now!

So Stephen, Louis and I have been thinking lately about the greatest evening activity games ever created and what exactly makes them "the greatest". Is it that they involve stealth like sock war or capture the flag? Is it that they involve hurling water balloons? (Or launching water balloons at archery targets for that matter!) What about dodging and diving from oncoming playground balls? Or is it the messiness of shaving cream, ice cream sundae, or maybe mud? So what if we combined all of these elements into one super activity? Is it even possible? Would we all just freak out simultaneously with the majesty of this new creation? Who knows? But what I would like is for you to email me with some of your favorite evening activities so that we can figure out which one in particular is "the greatest". dan@camptimberlake.com

In other news

We are having a staff reunion here at camp in December. All of us are going to sleep in the cabins during the winter. Screens people...screens. They keep bugs out, not the cold. It is going to be crazy and I personally can't wait.

Your fearless leader!

Dan

Camp Happenings!

2007-11-26T16:25:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Oh my goodness!

Greetings Timberlake men! I trust that all of you are working hard on your schoolwork and wholeheartedly participating in your normal fall extracurricular activities. And just when the drudgery of day to day life seems more than any young man can handle where does your mind go? To camp Timberlake of course! I bet you are wondering?where is that monstrous frog I remember from the summer at this exact moment. One can only assume that it is buried in the glorious mud of Lake Doris lying in wait for campers to try to uncover it. I bet it stays in ninja mode all winter long because it knows that the men of Camp Timberlake are skilled catchers of their species.

Well, let me give some fuel to the fire of your camp mental wanderings. We have built a new cabin on the old riflery range. Its name is Greybeard, the tallest and stoutest of the seven sister mountains that run behind and though the town of Black Mountain. Only fitting is this cabin for our oldest Timberlakers, and it is already awesome (even though it is still unfinished). Obviously, we are building a newer, bigger, and better riflery range in place of the older one. And if that wasn't enough we have widened the archery range and are building a beautiful shooting pavilion up there so that campers could theoretically shoot even if it rains. Then lastly, after a year's worth of growing grass, our new field "Spencer's Green" is ready for the upcoming summer and will be one of the sites of our newest Timberlake activity, Minor Sports! Oh my goodness Dan, are you serious? Oh yes, my friend?big time. What will this be like? It will have a bunch of different random sports rolled into one amazing activity. Just a list: Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee golf, Cricket, Softball, Battleball, Lacrosse, and many more options yet to be included.

So I hope this whets your appetite a bit for the upcoming summer! It is going to be amazing so get ready!

Your fearless leader

Dan

Fall is here at Timberlake

2007-10-24T14:06:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Ready to get back?

Our recruitment season is in high gear these days! The wildman Stephen Owens is in Atlanta doing homeshows, and I just got back from one over in Chapel Hill at the home of Tren Linsley! Then during November I am going to various homes in Florida and South Carolina. It should be really cool because I am going to get to see guys like Rusty Walden, Matthew and Jason Battaglia, Austin and Tyler Snively, and the Cobb brothers over near Charleston. I also might get to see some staff while I am away!

Speaking of staff, what's the deal with next summer?

I thought you would never ask! We have hired back some fantastic guys already. First on the list is Mr. Mike "the Incredible Hulk" Denoia. He has wrestling collegiately over at the University of Georgia, and apparently has been doing great! Then we have a legend back in Mr. Andrew Geppert! He wasn't here last summer, but really missed hanging out with you guys and has decided to return and we are PUMPED about it! Then former Tigertooth counselor (and also a UGA student) Brian Bush will be with us again this summer...What a stud! I have talked to a bunch of other guys who have said they are coming back, but I am just waiting in anticipation for the contracts to come rolling in.

Great Camping!

Dan

Camp is over...but is it really?

2007-09-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

So I hope everybody is comfortably back into their normal post camp routine by now after the summer is officially over. For most of you I am sure that involves a lot of school work! Well, if you were wondering, camp is still here as you left it. However, it is a LOT quieter. Just imagine some peaceful (yet sad) scenes: The coi swim playfully around the docks with no one to holler "COOOOIIIIIIII!" The Bullfrogs are getting more and more cocky because they know that the Hesketh brothers are a long way from Black Mountain. Louis said he saw some of them diving off the diving boards and apparently one of them went down the slide (without authorization). And only the wind moves the tetherballs gently in the breeze. But on a positive front Louis, Stephen, and I have been practicing our morning yells out on the back porch each morning. Stephen has developed a new "giro-throw" for battleball. It is looks funny, but he swears it is effective. I am also considering switching the directors over to mopeds rather than golfcarts, and Louis is attenpting to craft the perfect "chicken patty" for next year.

Seriously, Dan...What is going on at camp?

Well, we are building a new Timberlake cabin (called Greybeard) where our old riflery range was. This will be for our oldest boys at camp and it will be similar in design to Stomper's Knob. We realized after camp that we had too many of our oldest boys booked (with early enrollment) for next summer than we had bunks for them to sleep. I guess this is a good problem to have, but it meant that in order to fill the spots we had to add a new cabin. We will have a brand new riflery range and pavilion for next summer up near the new paintball field. The archery range has been extended (by moving a lot of dirt) so that more folks can comfortably shoot. Every year we are making needed improvements, and this year will be no exception. This summer is going to be amazing!

Loads of Newness at Timberlake!

2007-04-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Lot's of newness at Timberlake!

Well it's official. The summer is upon us like a wild (yet friendly) rattlesnake. All of the little details are starting to get taken care of, that surge of camp adrenaline is starting to pump through our veins and yesterday I saw Louis get so fired up that I thought he was going to rip his clothes, turn green and start breaking things with his bare hands (Incredible hulk style).

What is new?

whoa there is a lot to report. Here goes: 1. We are going to have a really cool trail shelter up above the council ring for cabin overnights. I had never been to the spot that it is in, and I was blown away because it is amazing. 2. The slide is finished. Did you hear me? It is finished. Oh but we are installing a deck around the entrance so I guess it is almost finished, but at least functional. 3. We built a whole new swimming area to match the canoeing area. It looks awesome. 4. We made a stone walkway up to the Mike from the road that I think is really cool. 5. We are moving the paintball field up above where the new field is. We still have some serious work to get it ready, but once finished it will be great. 6. And of course you know about the new field which is finished, but the grass will not be ready for us to walk on by this summer, so as of now we will look upon it longingly waiting in eager anticipation for its grass to grow. 7. There is a brand new rock wall in front of the Enchanted Barn. 8. And lastly, for you hackysack enthusiasts out there we will be selling Timberlake hackysacks this summer!

Have a good one!

Dan

Timberlake Happenings

2007-02-19T15:20:00.000-05:00

IMAGE CAPTION - Timberlake Snowballing

Greetings from Timberlake! We are still plugging away up here, and it seems that a bit of a snowball effect occurs after Christmas and about now we are pretty much always talking to prospective campers and finishing up the last bit of our staff hires. Louis has been interviewing people left and right. I am about to order the new Timbertool (which is amazing) and head off to Louisiana for some homeshows around New Orleans. Bobby has been trying to keep a handle on all of the property needs in the midst of some crazy weather and numerous construction projects.

So what have you heard from the staff lately?

I know that Stephen and Joey are on their way up here today from Atlanta to visit and I can't wait to see those guys! Matt Layton was here this past weekend and he seems to be doing really well. We hired another New Timberlake counselor, Benjamin Garner, from Alabama. Which now makes three UA guys that we have hired for this summer. We can't wait to have them here!

Happy Camping!

Director Dan