Dear Parents,
Its very early in the morning and I have slipped over to my
office in order to try to get out a few words to you to tell you how
your boys are doing at camp and what will be going on during the next
week. It is my hope that by writing you this letter which will come
off of a first typing, you can actually sense the feeling of our camp
and in fact almost be a camper here at Timberlane yourself. Its
a sizzler this morning in terms of weather and as I visited the
cabins last night the boys really fell asleep quite quickly because
of the active day they had. Our groups arrived at camp on Saturday
and most of the boys got to camp right on schedule with the exception
of our bus group from Chicago, Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin. It
seems that before the bus picked up the boys it developed motor
trouble, so the Greyhound company had to set up another Scenic
Cruiser bus and as a result the bus arrived 2 1/2 hrs. Late. But
everybody got camp in time to enjoy a big roast beef dinner. We then
began to start our unpacking of trunks and footlockers and then we
all headed out to our recreation building to watch the entire staff
put on the best staff talent night that we ever had. It started with
the Timberettes (the gals in our camp) putting on a kick chorusand
ended with the entire staff performing for the camp. This is our way
of saying hello to the campers and I know that they enjoyed the whole
show.
On Sunday morning at 6:00 A.M. I was awakened by 6 boys jumping on
the trampolines, and I went roaring out of my bedroom to bawl out the
boys. They looked at me blankly and said---H.H.- dont we
get up at 6 here at camp. I moved them out to the ball field and
started a little ball game and hoped that wed have them
tuckered out by the end of the day. (We did cause theyre not at
the tramps this morning) After breakfast on Sunday morning, we
started out major unpacking and cabin cleanup and during this period
of time we began to run our testing program. First, however, each boy
had a physical by the nurse and then he went to the swim area to test
for the area of water that he would be allowed to swim in---if he was
a deep water swimmer he then was checked out for his canoeing
ability, and if he was interested in scuba diving and had parent
permission he was then tested in this area. Those boys interested in
horseback riding were then checked out by our riding man, Mike
Cambell. For the rest of the morning we finished our cabin unpacking
and then the cabins played ball, tennis or other activities on the
athletic field. Following the lunch period, we held a long rest
period in order to rest our early risers.During the afternoon, we
assembled all the boys at the barbecue area and the counselors began
to discuss the activities that they would be offering during the
summer. Prior to this, the counselors of the campers went over the
activities available for each age group and now the boys were ready
to sign up for activities for the next week. After activity
discussions, we held a long Free swim and opened up our boating,
canoeing and sailing areas and the entire waterfront area was jammed
with boys. Following the swim the boys had a short free period and
then we had a dinner complete with Southern Fried Chicken and all the
trimmings. The boys consumed 60 chickens and really did a fine job in
the eating department. After dinner we signed the boys up for their
activities and followed this up with an evening program in which each
boy participated in a sports activity such as softball, Basketball or
football, and we held what is called the Timberleague tryouts. It was
a beautiful sight to see the athletic fields (2 of them) filled with
running and shouting boys. Meanwhile three gals (our secretarial
staff) were working at the top pitch to type up activity schedule and
staff assignments and before the boys went to bed, the entire
schedule was ready for Mondays first series of activities. This
is a comforting thought...
Today we begin all our activities and the program will hum. Its
always a relief for the Director because it makes camping much
easier. I might add that we only had three teary eyed boys and the
tears melted when I gave the 1st sad boy some worms and a rod, the
second boy helped give out canteen and the third boy learned how to
use the trampoline---funny thing, after the 1st boy caught a walleye,
he came back and asked if he could call home---I had a lump in my
throat and I asked why he wanted to call home---he said, wee,
my mom signed me up for 4 weeks, and I want to stay for 8. (How
about that) The evening program is going to be an all camp campfire,
and we will sing songs, hear stories, roast marshmallows, and finally
read the wills of the campers from the previous year. We have a
tradition that just before the campers go home, each boy makes out a
will, and we bury the wills over the year, and then dig them up the
next year and read them to the campers that are present this
year.
On Tuesday morning, we have one more bit of red tape in that we will
be taking pictures of our entire camp including an all camp shot,
cabin shots, individual portrait shots, and activity pictures during
the day. Our movie camera will also be humming as we try to get
pictures for you that well be showing over the winter months.
The evening program will be an all camp capture-the-flag which is a
blast, and if the weather is hot, we will hold a twilight swim to
cool the boys off. On Wednesday, our camp will begin the Camp
Timberleague, and the boys participate in what we call BLUE AND
WHITE contests. Each boy is placed on either a blue or white
team, and during the summer we play all sorts of contests worth a
number of different points. ON Thursday we will have a counselors
back to the recreation building. Friday evening we will hold a
beautiful outdoor service in which the campers serve on the choir and
either a camper or a staff member will say a few words about anything
that they feel will have some meaning to the boys and we try to make
the boys realize the beauty around them and what life is all about.
Saturday will be a special afternoon for the boys and the camp will
compete in many different activities. At night we are going to have
an organized free evening with motor boat rides thrown in for the
non-deep water swimmers. Its a chance for boys to shoot
riflery, play soccer or do many different activities on a relaxed
basis.
AND THEN COMES THE FOURTH OF JULY---We have a fantastic day of
programming planned for the boys. First, well start off the
morning with a full schedule of activities. In the afternoon
well have an all camp challenge round in which each cabin will
challenge another cabin and it should be a real fun-filled program.
Then at night we have ordered a tremendous film called,ISLAND
OF THE BLUE DOLPHIN. Its a colored film and were
going to show it as an outdoor movie and eat shelled peanuts and I
know that the boys will all watch the movie and eat shelled peanuts
and I know that the boys will really have a great time. This should
be a very late evening, and as a result were going to have a
lazy breakfast on Monday morning. That means that the campers will
slept late in the morning and the staff will prepare a delicious
breakfast for the boys when they get up. Then well all eat up
and start activities a little later in the morning. Campers also will
help to prepare the breakfast and we all come in to eat in our
pajamas and tousled hair. I might add that this Thursday we start our
tripping program and well have one canoe trip leave on
Thursday, and a second trip leave on Friday. We sent out a fishing
trip early this morning, and they brought in a few fish, but really
didnt have too much luck.
Today, (Monday) is letter writing day. Each camper will always write
you either a letter or a post card on Monday and Thursday, and we
will check to see that they do this. If you dont hear from them
fairly regularly, please contact us and well try to follow
through on the reason for the delay in hearing from the boys. Our
staff will be writing each of you a short note today and well
include a picture of the cabin group of each of your group which we
took yesterday. The note from the staff is intended only to say hello
and to introduce some of the staff members of your boys cabin
group. In two weeks well be writing you a more detailed letter
from the staff and it would be nice if you want to answer the staff
to let them know that you appreciate all that they have done in
letting you know that the boys are healthy and safe.
This is a fine staff and they have worked hard to get camp ready for
the boys. We have an 80% return of staff and this is unheard of.
During the orientation week the old-timers really included our new
staff members (Which also includes two counselors from England and
another counselor from Rhodesia) and the whole group has really
become one solid unit. One more note about VISITING WEEKEND...The
first weekend for visiting weekend will be held on Friday evening and
Saturday all day during July 16th and 17th. We will send out special
information about the visiting weekend, but if you cant make
it, we will have a special program and a giant pizza a dinner for the
boys whose parents dont come up to camp.
A SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS INTERESTED IN HAVING IN HAVING THEIR SONS
STAY FOR THE LAST FOUR WEEKS AT CAMP. As you know, many of our boys
are staying for eight weeks at camp. Another group is staying for 4
weeks, and I have left six openings for those four weekers who want
to stay on at camp for the entire season. The only problem is that
many boys have already approached me to let me know that they want to
stay for the summer. If you have a boy enrolled for four weeks and
want him at camp for the rest of the season. You may call me if you
to reach me immediately at 715-356-6022. When our enrollment is
filled, I cannot promise you a spot for your son for the remainder of
the season, so follow through on this note.
WHEWWWWWWW---------What a lot of words---but thats
me---Ive got to put it down like it is and just when its
happening.....Were purring right now. We finished breakfast at
9 A.M. cleaned up the cabins and as I look out over the field, the
boys are all in activities...What a great feeling...I want each of
you to feel just whats going on at camp and to know that your
boys are busy and happy. The pulse of the camp today is fantastic and
this adjective is meant exactly as it sounds. The tears have dried,
the energy is being utilized and when that happens I sleep nights.
Again, I love to write this type of letter and I hope it stays that
way.
Regards...
HH