Thanks for being the Best Summer Camp!

The second session of summer camp in 2022 could not have been as successful without our CIT2’s! They did an outstanding job planning activities, putting campers to bed, and keeping traditions alive! These campers have always been excited about visiting the best summer camp in West Virginia and some of them wanted to say a thank you to camp for all their years as campers. Be prepared you might shed some tears!

Tessy Schreyer

Being a camper at Camp Tall Timbers has made my summers incredible. There are many things I love about this camp, but one thing I appreciate the most are the people I have met here. Everyone is open to making new friends, and you really have the chance to get to know all types of amazing people. I have definitely met some of the funniest and most creative people here. A group I am especially grateful for is my tent group. Living with these girls and getting to know them has given me a set of amazing friendships. I have known most of these girls for years and have had the pleasure of getting closer and closer with them each summer. I surely will not forget all the late night talks and laughs we have had. I am thankful for all the experiences I have had at Camp Tall Timbers.

Chase Lissak

My 6 years at camp were some of the best times of my life. It helped me interact with so many people from different walks of life that I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet anywhere else. I learned how to be more independent and spend some time away from home. I appreciate and have so much respect for the counselors who helped make each year so fun and memorable. I will miss all of it so much but I’m so glad I took the time out of each summer to go. I believe I would not be the same person I am today if it wasn’t for camp and I’m so grateful for it.

Sammy Lemar

The biggest thank you to Camp Tall Timbers for shaping some of the most amazing friendships and for introducing me to the girls who are basically my sisters. Thank you for giving me a place to be myself with no judgment. Thank you for giving me a community of support that I know will be there forever. And finally, thank you for the memories and the laughs that I will never forget.

Lawson Sipple

I appreciate camp because I enjoy seeing all of my friends come back and making new ones. I have been going to camp for five years now, and will hopefully be coming back as a counselor. I have never been bored at camp, and Emma and Glenn do a great job running camp and try their best to make sure everyone is safe and always having fun.

Sydney Seiler

This camp makes my entire year better and I can’t imagine not coming back as a camper next year. They say that this camp allows you to get “away from the everyday” and they couldn’t be more right. When I’m here, all my everyday worries, anxieties, and fears suddenly disappear and it’s amazing. I’m trying to soak up the last few days I have here and I’m really going to miss the pure joy I feel every day at this camp. 

Becca Adlin

Camp Tall Timbers has taught me so many special things, not only that have helped me here but also in the real world. As a camper, I have met the greatest people and learned a lot about myself. There is so much I will miss about camp, but most of all I will miss spending every day with my best friends. 

Silvana Yunda

I never understood how people could get so close to each other by just being together for three weeks each year, and I used to think that I would never have a friendship like the ones in movies. Until I came to camp for a second year, and realized that is all about trusting each other and being yourself no matter what. And like these, I understood that I have created a family because even though I don’t know everyone for long everyone has made me feel like part of the best community. The worst part of getting the best friends possible here, is saying goodbye, and not knowing when you’re going to see them again, but I just know that we are forever. 

Bruno Becker

Going to summer camp has been the most important part of my summer for four years now and I’m definitely going to miss it a ton. Meeting people and living with them forms a strong bond between you, and some of the friends I’ve made at camp will continue to be my friends for the rest of our lives. Thank you to Camp Tall Timbers for providing me with the opportunity to make these wonderful friendships, to the counselors for being role models that I still look up to, and most importantly all of the amazing people I’ve met at camp. 

Read about the fun our campers have had this year at Camp Tall Timbers summer camp, when the camp went to the wild west!

Summer Camp Adventure, oh-my!

Pirate, Cowboy, Alien, Ninja Day: The Sequel: The Robots Strike Back!

Adventure awaits at summer camp and this past Saturday was no exception.  Activities included Pirate, Cowboy, Alien, Ninja Day: The Sequel: The Robots Strike Back!

Last year was the 100th Pirate-Cowboy-Alien-Ninja Olympics, yet the robots were unhappy because they were not invited to participate and therefore, decided to launch an attack on the Olympic council headquarters demanding a place in the 2494 games! Therefore, the pirates, cowboys, aliens, and ninjas had to defend their sacred games against the robots! A summer camp adventure indeed!

To prepare for their battle against the robots they went through a series of training activities!

  • Pirate Training: Greasy Watermelon
    • Be the first team to get the greasy watermelon into the canoe!
  • Cowboy Training: Archery
    • Be the team to pop the most balloons on the targets!
  • Ninja Training: Climbing
    • Be the team with the most people to get up the climbing wall!
  • Alien Training: Code Cracking
    • Be the team to decipher the alien code in the quickest amount of time!
  • Robots Training: Maze
    • Be the team with the quickest time to find all 6 dodgeballs and move through the maze!
  • Gauntlet: Relay Race
    • Be the team to complete the relay in the fastest amount of time, which consisted of sliding down the slip-n-slide, grabbing a bucket of water, jumping over three benches, weaving through torches, throwing the bucket of water at your team leader to wash shaving cream off them, climbing under two benches, climbing across the balance beam, and returning the bucket!
  • Robothunt
    • Robots (CIT2’s) have invaded: you have 5 minutes to hide and don’t get found!

In the end, the robots short-circuited from the rain, and they were defeated. Yet, one team really outdid the others throughout training and the robot hunt and won: the Cowboys (Bruno, Sydney Seiler, Sammy Lemar, Charlie, Grayson, Jake, Archie, David, Ashton, Malcolm, Theo, Sammy Davis, Alexa, Kyra, Grace, Poppy, Chloe, and Adele)!

Stay tuned for more summer camp adventures with GMTT highlighting this fierce competition! 

Signing off with a Can-do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

Want to learn more? Read about some of our other summer camp adventures!

CIT2’s host Monopoly Night!

Friday night’s evening activity was a twist on the classic game Monopoly with our CIT2’s!

Our very own CIT2’s (Sammy, Tessy, Becca, Sydney, Silvana, Mikayla (Micky), Anna, Chase, Bruno, Alex, Lawson, and Ben) planned and ran this new activity and it was an immense success and will be continued in the future!

Once the bell rang, campers were sorted into seven teams consisting of a monopoly piece: top hat, thimble, car, dog, battleship, iron, and shoe.

These pieces then moved around to different properties to partake in activities and if they were the best team overall they gained money. Another way to gain, or potentially lose, money was by being stopped by cops. They gave teams challenges to complete, such as running around the baseball bases or art shack in a particular amount of time, and if the team completed these tasks they were able to gain a chance card! However, if they were unable to complete the task they would be sent to jail and not be allowed to participate in the next station.

Properties and their Activities:

  • Reading Railroad: Red Light, Green Light
  • Boardwalk: Basketball shots from the edge of the pool
  • Marvin Gardens: Pictionary
  • Baltic Ave: Recreate the Monopoly board by memory
  • St. James Place: Trivia
  • Pacific Ave: Frisbee Golf
  • Free Parking: Name that Tune

Once all of the pieces stopped at each property they were able to pick a box in order of the team with the highest amount of money to lowest. Yet, there was a twist! Some boxes held punishments instead of prizes. These boxes consisted of dippies, cleaning a cabin, cleaning all of the tables in the dining hall, pieing the CIT2’s in the face, pushing the CIT2’s into the pool, CIT2’s serving the team lunch, and pieing admin in the face!

As the session progresses we look forward to seeing all that these CIT2’s are capable of!

Signing off with a Can Do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

PS. Hear directly from our campers about how they feel about summer camp!

Jived Through the Genres!

Tuesday night we jived through the genres for our evening activity!

Each cabin/tent group was assigned a specific music genre during lunch and was tasked with creating a skit/dance including music from their specific genre, during rest hour, free swim, and after dinner.

Once the bell rang each cabin/tent group was able to perform for the camp and the judges, who were special guests: Big Time Rush! Carlos was the crowd’s favorite judge reacting to each performance with taps on his helmet, each time it was longer than one before cheering roared through the gym!

Girl’s Side:

  • Cabin B: Hiphop
  • Cabin G: EDM
  • GT Group 1: Alternative
  • GT Group 2: Metal
  • GT Group 3: Showtunes

Boy’s Side: 

  • Cabins 1 & 2: Pop
  • Cabin 3: Rock
  • Cabin 7: Country
  • Cabin 8: RnB
  • BT: Classical

It was an ambitious competition ending with Cabin 7 (Hugh, Jacob, Heath, Zach, Ryan, and David), taking home their second skit win of the session, Cabin 3 (Alexander, Thomas, Kai, Jonathan, and Ashton) in second place, and Girls Tents Group 1 (Kyra, Shawnie, Morgan, Skylar, Serena, Maura, and Grace) in third! These kids worked hard, jived through the genres, and had a laughing good time! All of us here at Camp Tall Timbers are proud of all their hard work and their commitment to fun! 

Be on the lookout for a GMTT of this jiving night coming soon! 

Signing off with a Can Do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

PS. We’re having so much fun here every week during summer camp! Read about some of our favorite activities! There are many reasons why Camp Tall Timbers is the best summer camp in West Virginia, click the learn to learn a few of them today! We’ve jived through the genres this week, what will we do next? Stay tuned to find out!

We’re ‘Fired Up’ For Second Session!

As we sadly said goodbye to our first session campers, we happily welcomed our second session campers here at your favorite Summer Camp in West Virginia – Camp Tall Timbers!

Second Session 2022: July 11, 2022

The three week session has an abundance of returning campers who were extremely excited to see each other, and some new faces who have quickly acclimated to camp life and have already made new friends! 

After a bustling morning of camper arrivals we had a yummy lunch and unpacked and then moved on to our introductory camp activities. The weather was sunny so we were able to have campers swim, play tennis, do challenge games, archery, and meet the nurse all while bonding with their cabin/tent mates.

Our evening activity was the famous welcome campfire at the lake where we all sang camp songs, learned the friends song and CTT hug, and made skits to introduce ourselves. Each skit had to include a random object given to them and use it not for its intended use and everyone’s names. It was a close competition but boys’ tents won (Quinn, Adam, Carter, Chase, Bruno, Alex, Lawson, Grayson, Charlie, Frederick, Graham, and Ben), followed by cabin 7 for second (Hugh, Jacob, Heath, Zach, Ryan, David), and Cabin B for third (Rachel, Abigail, Adele, Chloe, Guinevere, and Juliana). This fun night was concluded by each cabin/tent group making s’mores!

Keep a look out for a ‘Good Morning Tall Timbers’ later this week for video footage of this night! 

Signing off with a Can-do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal    

Up Next! Jiving through the genres with your favorite summer camp in West Virginia! We’re having more fun, sharing more laughs and enjoying more summer moments at Camp Tall Timbers. Be sure to visit our camp registration page to get enrolled for our upcoming camp summer camp!

Avenger’s Day!

On Saturday we had Avenger’s Day here at Camp Tall Timbers – the premier summer camp for teenagers- where Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor had to prove themselves worthy to take over the vacancy for director of the Avengers, after the passing of Nick Fury, by collecting all six infinity stones in their respective trials: space, time, mind, soul, reality, and power.

Space Stone

The first trial being a canoe race at the lake. 

Time Stone

Campers competed in a relay race where they had to spin ten times around a baseball bat, run through cones, jump over and go under a bench, and finish by running up a soapy slip n slide. 

Soul Stone

Campers had to dive into the pool two at a time and find pennies at the bottom of the pool without being tapped with a kickboard by the hulk. 

Mind Stone

Campers could gain points by guessing the name and artist after listening to just a few seconds of the song, during name that tune. 

Power Stone

Campers were challenged by smashing a frozen t-shirt and thawing it enough for one camper to wear it before the other teams.

Reality Stone

Each team picked four teammates to create a comic strip of how their Avenger became the director of the avengers, which they presented to the camp before the S.H.I.E.L.D. Ball.

To end this super day we had a S.H.I.E.L.D. Ball where campers dressed up and danced to celebrate Captain America becoming the new director for the avengers. 

A GMTT will be out later this week to showcase how spectacular this Saturday activity was!

Signing off with a Can do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

Ps. Camp Tall Timbers is the premier summer camp for teenagers in the DC area. Read about some of the other fun we’ve been having this summer! Be sure to register for summer camp today to ensure you’re kids have the best summer ever!

Welcome Back to your Home Away from Home- outdoor summer camp!

Camp Tall Timbers is back for the season and we’re kicking off your favorite outdoor summer camp with all sorts of fun and engaging activities for campers of all ages!

First Session 2022: June 26th, 2022

We’ve been waiting for you all year and we are so glad you are finally here!

Hi CTT family my name is Jami Siegal and this is my 10th year at camp! I’m a marketing major at the University of Pittsburgh so I will be keeping all you updated on our summer endeavors through blogging and our social media pages!

Today we welcomed our first wave of Tall Timbers campers after an extremely successful week of hosting Camp Oasis with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation!

After parent drop off and lunch we rotated cabins through a series of activities to introduce campers to the pool, tennis courts, infirmary, and the arts of challenge and archery. However, rain quickly rolled in and those activities changed to arts and crafts, gaga ball, and tennis in the gym. 

During free swim campers finished packing since the weather was not in our favor and then that was followed by a fan favorite dinner of pasta and pizza! Then everyone headed down to the lake for a campfire. We began by singing campfire songs and learning the famous CTT hug and friends song. This was then followed by every cabin having to create a skit including their names and a random object such as a horse shoe, cone, racket, lacrosse stick, etc. Yet, these objects could not be used for their intended use. In the end, it was a tie between Cabin 1 and A and the night ended by toasting marshmallows and eating our delicious smores!

Keep a look out for a ‘Good Morning Tall Timbers’ later this week for video footage of the amazing skits and fire!

Although amid rain we are having an amazing first session so far!

Signing off with a Can do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal    

PS. Camp Tall Timbers is so proud to continue to serve the community year after year with the very best outdoor summer camp in the Washington DC & Virginia area. With all sorts of fun and engaging activities for campers of all ages Camp Tall Timbers is your #1 choice for outdoor summer camp every year! Want to read more about the fun we’re having? Check out this blog!

Giving the Gift of Camp at Camp Tall Timbers

 

From Christmas to Kwanzaa, Hanukkah to New Years, and birthdays scattered throughout, the winter months always bring with them the gift giving season. If any of these special occasions have you searching for the perfect gift for your child, consider giving the gift of camp at Camp Tall Timbers this summer! We’re sure the gift of camp is going to bring a smile to your child’s face because the best gifts really aren’t objects at all— they’re experiences. It’s not just us saying it; there’s a significant amount of scientific research backing up the fact that humans form richer, stronger memories tied to adventures and experiences compared to memories attributed to material objects. 

A Gift that Keeps on Giving

For starters material goods break and wither over time, while the memories and friendships made at camp can last a lifetime. With that being the case, the gift of camp truly is a gift that keeps on giving for your child. What’s most exciting is that this isn’t just a one-off gift, it’s the beginning of something much greater than that. The aforementioned scientific research conducted by Thomas Gilovich with the Cornell Department of Psychology, concludes that people may think about future experiences in more abstract ways, which actually makes them seem more significant and more gratifying. As we enter the height of the harsh winter months, we think it is especially important to give your child something great to look forward to. What better way to beat the cold than to daydream of warm days out on the lake or horseback riding in the summer sunshine!

An Experience Entirely Unique to your Child 

Some of Gilovich’s earlier studies show that another reason that experiences are a better purchase for attaining happiness is that people are less likely to compare their experience to someone else’s. Looking at it from a different angle helps to demonstrate why this is the case. Would you rather have a higher salary that is lower than that of your peers, or a lower salary that is higher than your peers? Though this is a fairly subjective question, researchers found that the large majority of people would choose to have a lower salary that is higher in comparison to their peers. This is because of the way humans are hardwired to think. We are predisposed to compare our material possessions to others in order to determine our own relative worth or value. For kids, it can be the same story with Holiday presents. Kids are very likely to compare their gifts to others, with material gifts like bikes or new game systems constantly being flaunted for superiority. Conversely, researchers found the opposite was true for experiences with most people opting to take more vacation time even if it was lower than what their peers received. This shows that experiences can’t be compared from one person to another and thus actually have more innate value. Your child’s camp experience will be completely unique to them. It will carry its own value that is so special to them that it cannot possibly be diminished through the usual tactic of comparisons that happens with material gifts. 

Sharing the Gift of Camp at Camp Tall Timbers

Even though each child’s camp experience is entirely unique, it doesn’t mean that the gift of camp is something to consider exclusively for your child. For many with a strong sense of community, giving season goes beyond gifts just for family. Recommend the gift of camp to friends, neighbors, fellow PTA parents, and anyone else you know who can brighten their child’s life with the gift of camp.

Whether you plan on sharing the gift of camp with your own family or others close to you, Camp Tall Timbers is here to answer all of your questions along the way to ensure that every camper has the best experience possible. For questions, please contact us at (301) 874-0111 or email us at [email protected] so that we can help you provide memories to last a lifetime this holiday season. 

A Drive Away from the Everyday at Camp Tall Timbers Summer Camp

 

Located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia, Camp Tall Timbers summer camp provides a summer getaway where boys and girls ages 7-16 can come to unwind, enjoy the great outdoors, and make new friends along the way. Our camp experience promotes independence, socialization, skill-building, confidence, creativity, and self-discovery in a safe and nurturing environment. We are proud of the fact that families across the country entrust us to take care of their children and provide them with this experience. We work hard to have a national presence, but we are especially proud to have become a top summer destination for campers from Mid-Atlantic states. Exploring A drive away from the everyday, we wanted to take a look at a few of the benefits that families in the region stand to gain from sending their kids to a sleep away camp near home. 

Easy access grants peace of mind 

Camp Tall Timbers is a convenient drive from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Dulles Airport. Our convenient location makes camp a breeze to get to and that accessibility is a major benefit for our families on many levels. For starters, it cuts down on drive time making the trip to and from camp each year as easy as possible on our campers— with a scenic drive along the way to boot! We also find that our accessibility gives our campers and families the peace of mind to be able to enjoy a worry-free summer. One of the greatest benefits sleep away camp provides is the restored sense of independence that it instills in a young child being away from home. Becoming more independent is an extremely important part of every child’s life journey. As liberating as it is to be off on their own for the summer, it can be stressful for younger children at the same time. At Camp Tall Timbers, we provide our Mid-Atlantic campers with a taste of true independence without having them feel like they are completely out on their own. In the case of an emergency, campers and parents could still be together within a few hours drive— Not that we ever anticipate emergency situations, but then again who does. It is a fine line to tow, but the goal is to let the campers feel like they are off on their own in the camp bubble, while also knowing that there is a safety net to fall back on should an issue arise. Our central location gives Camp Tall Timbers the perfect happy medium of the two, so that parents and campers in the DMV and greater Mid-Atlantic region can enjoy their summers apart without worry. Our location is also great for the pocketbook compared to the travel costs some families run into when forced to use planes, trains, and buses to get their children to their final destination. Being a drive away saves money getting to and from camp at the bookends of each session, plus additional trips for family weekends or other parental visits. 

Friendships that last 

Camp Tall Timbers summer camp is also not just about any one camper; it is a social experience. Camp provides kids with chances to make new friendships that can last a lifetime, and we think those bonds are even stronger when we are able to pull campers from such similar areas around the Mid-Atlantic. Campers from the same areas arrive on day 1 already sharing common-ground, and these shared experiences make it easier to bond and form friendships. For some, it could be a love of the same sports team. For others, long days and weekend trips spent at their favorite destinations like Hershey Park or Shenandoah Valley. Even down to a shared love for cracking crabs and spending time out on the Chesapeake, we see every summer how these little connections can go a long way building social relationships between campers. 

We care about our campers, and we want their camp connections to be meaningful. The best friendships are the ones that carry on even after the sessions have ended, which is why it is such a big plus for our campers when they make friends who are from the same areas as they are. It allows them to be together year-round, linking up in the winter and spring months for fun events like camp reunions, weekend trips, and birthday parties. Even after their time at Camp Tall Timbers comes to an end, we still see our campers staying in touch and finding ways to meet up with other camp alums in their area.  

Nestled in the scenic heart of Hampshire County, Camp Tall Timbers provides our camp families with an accessible drive away from the everyday. If you are a parent in the Mid-Atlantic region looking for a sleepaway camp that near by, where your child can make lasting memories and lifelong friendships, look no further than Camp Tall Timbers. Visit our Summer Sessions page to learn more about our rates and dates for this upcoming summer. 

 

Don’t Sleep on Sleep Away Camp

 


For many who attend, overnight summer camps are an unforgettable experience full of personal growth and lasting memories. Activities from zip lining to rock climbing give the kids a unique opportunity to branch out from their comfort zones, while the bunk lifestyle brings campers together to forge lasting friendships. Many parents don’t realize that registration is already open, with spots filling up fast. While we do encourage our parents to sign up before rates increase, we also understand that some families need more information to know if sleep away camp is the right fit for their children. 

How Overnight Summer Camp Can Help Your Child 

It’s not all just fun and games. Dr. Peter Scales received his PhD in Child and Family Studies in 1976 from the University of Syracuse. Since then, he has distinguished himself as an author, educator, and field expert when it comes to developmental psychology. According to the American Camp Association, Dr. Scales believes that “camps are one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a community environment. [They] help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have had these kinds of experiences end up being healthier and have less problems”. Some of the obvious reasons why camp supports these developmental needs— which are not fully satisfied by the current educational system— include fresh air, increased exercise, and an emphasis on personal interactions rather than technology and screen time. Additionally, the structured days are designed to balance routine activities with free time blocks, which teaches campers about effective time management. Children who acquire all these things through progressive experience will be better prepared for adulthood and are shown to be healthier overall. Family therapist Dr. Michael Popkin has also commented on the importance of sleep away camps for kids, stating that one of overnight summer camp’s greatest benefits is that it empowers young people to find and cultivate their interests, values, and talents. It comes at no surprise that children are more prepared for adult life based on their camp experiences. Sleep away camp shows campers how to take care of themselves and manage their lives independently from their parents early on, compared to some other kids who do not learn to be self-sufficient until much later on in life. Not only does camp teach children these life skills, but it also builds their confidence in their abilities through experiential learning. 

Camp Tall Timbers Adapts with the Times 

Clearly there are plenty of developmental benefits to sleep away camp, however the COVID 19 pandemic has forced many families to question if the benefits outweigh the risks. Camp Tall Timbers has the solution! In the summer of 2021, we were one of the few overnight summer camps to welcome campers without a single case of COVID-19. Our Director, Glenn Smith, created a safe bubble environment by implementing thorough safety precautions designed to protect Camp Tall Timbers’ campers, staff, and families. You can see a full rundown of Glenn’s COVID Safety Plan here. These precautionary steps allowed us to run sessions that were safe without sacrificing any of the authenticity that make camp so special. We are thrilled that the 2021 summer sessions were so well received, and we can’t wait to build on that success for an even better experience in 2022!

Onward and Forward!

Do you want to learn more about how your child could have this experience? Looking ahead, Camp Tall Timbers is running bigger and better sessions in 2022, while still focusing on safety as a top priority. As part of that mission, the Tall Timbers family wants everyone interested to be able to have a taste of the camp experience for themselves, right from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Sign up today to partake in our virtual open house and see if overnight summer camp is the right choice for your happy camper.

Time to Start Packing – Summer is Here!

It’s time to start getting ready for the best overnight summer camp in West Virginia – Camp Tall Timbers! Here’s your packing list to get started. We can’t wait to see you soon!

SUGGESTED CLOTHING LIST

PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!!!

NECESSARY ITEMS:

  • 10 pairs pants (7 short, 3 long)
  • 10 T-shirts or Polo shirts
  • 2 Camp Tall Timbers T-shirts
  • 2 sweatshirts or sweaters
  • 1 jacket
  • 2 pairs of tennis shoes
  • 1 pair sturdy shoes
  • 1 pair rubber shoes for shower & pool
  • 1 pair wet weather shoes/boots
  • 10 pairs of socks
  • 10 pairs underwear
  • 1 pair lightweight pajamas
  • 1 pair heavy pajamas
  • 2 bathing suits
  • 1 poncho or raincoat & hat
  • 1 baseball cap

GENERAL SUPPLIES:

  • 3-4 towels
  • 2 washcloths
  • 2 laundry bags
  • 1 flashlight + extra batteries & bulb
  • sunscreen
  • bug spray
  • hairbrush
  • toiletry articles (toothbrush & paste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
  • shower caddy
  • stationery, postcards (pre -addressed for younger children), stamps, pens
  • sleeping bag
  • water bottle

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

  • camera
  • books
  • fun costume (e.g. Halloween)
  • musical instruments
  • music player (e.g. ipod etc)
  • 1 “nice” sports outfit for banquet (NOT coat/tie)
  • riding boots (or shoes with a 1″ heel) and a helmet
  • tennis racquet
  • Your child’s own safety helmet is recommended.
    We provide all athletic and sporting equipment but your child is welcome to bring their own as
    long as it is labelled!

 

The packing list is long but you don’t want to forget anything. Crossing off each item as clothes and shoes are laid out let’s you know how far down the list you’ve come and how much more you must go.  It’s crazy how counting out 10 pairs of pants, 10 t-shirts, 10 pairs of socks, 10 pairs of underwear can get you revved up for the summer adventure awaiting you at Camp Tall Timber, the best overnight summer camp in West Virginia. Whether you are a first-time camper or an experienced veteran, readying the clothes you’re going to bring to camp can unleash all kinds of emotions. For our returning campers, the excitement is real. Overnight summer camp is a known entity. Summer friends will soon be reunited, there will be new activities to try, new people, to meet. For first time campers, preparing for overnight summer camp can be overwhelming. Sure, there is excitement but there are nerves and anxiety too as all the “what if…” scenarios run through your head – What if nobody talks to me? What if I don’t like the food? What if I don’t like the activities? What if I get homesick? This is where you can take a deep breath and relax. Our experienced staff is well-trained for any eventuality. Most importantly, as our experienced campers know, our staff is there when you need them to make your time at Camp Tall Timbers your best summer ever!

Hello Campers, Parents and Alumni

Of course, I hope that this note finds you, your family and your friends in good health.  I will not spend your valuable time telling you how to wash your hands and practice social distancing, etc.  I am sure you are doing whatever is necessary to keep yourself and others safe.

Why would I be so confident that you are doing the right things at this critical time?  Because you are a part of the Camp Tall Timbers Family.  Whether a current camper, family member, staff or alumni; you know what it is like to show compassion for others, work with a group to achieve a common goal, organize and show enthusiasm in all that you do.  You are the people that others will look up to during this critical time.   I am convinced that the foundations of your camp experience will be helpful over the next few weeks.

As far as summer camp in West Virginia goes, we are working hard to prepare for our 50th summer.  Hiring staff, making improvements, building and cleaning up.  We have worked on our activity calendar and started to gather the supplies we need to support our program.  We did a lot of painting and improvement work in the Fall so the usual wet weather of the Spring will not be a factor in our preparations.

We are closely monitoring the implications of Covid-19 and will continue to keep in touch with any updates and information should any of the events encroach on our camp schedule.

In the meantime, you, your families and everyone around you, healthy and safety should be the paramount objective at this time.  Should anyone here at Camp Tall Timbers be able to help you in any way please contact us.  I can be reached at [email protected] or via phone at 301-874-0111.

 

Be Safe,

Camp Tall Timbers is your #1 summer camp in West Virginia!

Camp Tall Timbers is your #1 summer camp in West Virginia year after year because we care. Visit our website today to learn why!

Summer is here- Packing Count Down Begins

Anticipation has been building for months and camp session 1 is kicked off and it’s time to start packing for session 2, 3… at Camp Tall Timbers!

The packing list is long but you don’t want to forget anything. Crossing off each item as clothes and shoes are laid out let’s you know how far down the list you’ve come and how much more you must go.  It’s crazy how counting out 10 pairs of pants, 10 t-shirts, 10 pairs of socks, 10 pairs of underwear can get you revved up for the summer adventure awaiting you at Camp Tall Timbers. Whether you are a first-time camper or an experienced veteran, readying the clothes you’re going to bring to camp can unleash all kinds of emotions. For our returning campers, the excitement is real. Sleep away camp is a known entity. Summer friends will soon be reunited, there will be new activities to try, new people, to meet. For first time campers, preparing for sleep away camp can be overwhelming. Sure, there is excitement but there are nerves and anxiety too as all the “what if…” scenarios run through your head – What if nobody talks to me? What if I don’t like the food? What if I don’t like the activities? What if I get homesick? This is where you can take a deep breath and relax. Our experienced staff is well-trained for any eventuality. Most importantly, as our experienced campers know, our staff is there when you need them to make your time at Camp Tall Timbers your best summer ever!

Okay, all the items in multiples of 10 have been readied. Now there are 3 bathing suits and 3 sweatshirts. This is becoming a counting game! 2 Camp Tall timbers t-shirts to order from the website, 2 pairs of sneakers, 2 pairs of lightweight pajamas, 2 laundry bags, 1 jacket, 1 pair of sturdy shoes, 1 pair heavyweight pajamas, 1 pair of rubber shoes, 1 poncho or raincoat, 1 pair of rain boots, 1 Camp Tall Timbers baseball cap to order from the website. That’s all the wearables but, there are still towels and washcloths and a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and shampoo, a flashlight with batteries, stationery and pens, sleeping bag and water bottle to add to the growing pile of possibilities. Whew! Now to grab a few optional items and you’re ready to blast off for an unparalleled experience, a chance to get away from the everyday!

Welcome to Camp Tall Timbers Summer -sure to be the best summer ever!

National Get Outdoors Day Giveaway

Saturday, June 9th is National Get Outdoors Day and we are giving away a free week of camp!

The statistics are alarming.  Today’s American kids are:

  • Less connected to the outdoors than any previous generation.
  • Spend 6.5 hours a day spent watching screens.
  • Six times more likely to play a computer game than ride a bike.
  • Four times more likely to be obese than the previous generation.

What’s one remedy?  Spending more time outdoors which leads to:

More physical activity.  Americans have a growing problem that can be addressed with more physical activity – an increase in the percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese. This trend carries with it big costs – in dollars and quality of life. Some $160 billion in direct public spending. 7 in 10 deaths now attributable to largely preventable chronic illnesses – and 3 out of every 4 dollars in our healthcare spending is similarly directed at largely preventable chronic illnesses.

Less stress.  Today’s kids live in a world that is more stressed than ever before. Becoming overloaded with pressure at school, conflicts at home, relationship problems, and/or career choices.

A reduction in risky behavior. To deal with stress, today’s kids may drink or use drugs, drive aggressively, overeat, go shopping, spend hours on the computer or playing video games, or take out their frustration on others. This is why we see increased bullying, isolation, depression, obesity, eating disorders, inappropriate sexual activity, violent outbursts, cutting, intolerance and hate crimes, suicide, and many other destructive choices.

 

We support National Get Outdoors Day.  Here is how we are celebrating:

If you enroll May 21-June 9, you will be eligible to receive credit equal to the value of one week at Camp Tall Timbers.

This is a $1350 value! 

Anyone is allowed to enter providing you enroll for a summer session (this excludes anyone who enrolled prior to May 20, 2018).

Simply register for camp.

REGISTER NOW

The drawing will take place on June 10th.  Good luck!

National Get Outdoors Day Giveaway Rules:

  1. If you are chosen as the winner you will receive one week of camp valued at $1350
  2. Anyone is allowed to enter providing you enroll for a summer session (this excludes anyone who enrolled prior to May 20, 2018).
  3. The National Get Outdoors Giveaway runs from May 21 – June 10 (11:59 pm)
  4. To enter just register your child for camp during the giveaway.
  5. A winner will be chosen from a random drawing of names.
Enroll between May 21 and June 10, 2018, and you will be entered into a random drawing to win a prize equal to one week of summer camp ($1350).
This credit may be applied to longer sessions.
Only valid for registrations between May 21 and June 10, 2018.  No cash value.

 

July 26- “C” Day

It’s Wednesday the 26th of July, and it is a C day. As always, we had Girl Power Hour and Boys’ League to kick us off and give everyone the chance to hang out with their friends that are not necessarily in their cabin. The day continued with creative writing with Mason Period 2. Emily Smith and Violet were deep in thought, writing away with music on in the background when I went in to check something – they seemed to have written a lot to and from what I’d heard it was good!

At the first free swim, Abi held her counsellor auction prize which, if you were here third session last year, would remember it to be a ‘Tea Party with the Queen!’. There was a sign up for The Ritz and the area was cordoned off from anyone that had not bought the prize. The campers (Cabin B of course): Ella, Ella, Nela, Carly, Taryn, Freddi, Nadine and Mayson, dressed to impress and drank their English Tea with countless Oreo’s. It looked very pleasant indeed!

In period 3 gymnastics, Taryn, Cat, Mayson, Freddie and Sofia completed a cheerleading stunt with a cradle. In lake activities Robert and Vance caught a fish and both decided to kiss it! Jay went out on a Paddle Boat with Miles and took numerous great pictures – there are a few hilarious ones that caught Ella P and John falling off their paddle board and into the lake. Unfortunately, John lost his sunglasses and was unable to find them again – duh!

Tonight, it was the seniors’ turn to go bowling! We took a school bus and a van and headed to Winchester with Brynn and Glenn this time. The snack bar was raided and the bowling alley packed with excitable CTT campers. The music machine was a hit with everyone paying their dollars to play their favourite songs, while of course competing with their friends at bowling. It was an enjoyable evening and everyone had a blast – sleeping well when they returned to camp!

The juniors played a game of Counsellor Hunt whereby Jenneka, Ashlyn, Mason, Kane and Aurelien hid around camp and had to be found. Before they found Aurelien, they were given a clue to his whereabouts, it was: ‘Ward away your evil spirits’. After a few guesses, they figured it out and found him, painted in all yellow at the initiation site!

 

First Day of Camp

The first full day at camp began with dippies to get the session started but it only featured some of boys’ side today (Girls are clearly preferring the sleepies option already). We’re sure this will change as the session goes on! At breakfast, all campers were handed their schedules for the next two weeks and were all very excited to see what each activity entailed and who they were going to be with.

Boys League and Girl Power Hour were first so all the boys headed to the baseball field and the girls to the gym. Two different activities were led for the boys – ultimate frisbee and kickball which offered the boys a chance to choose what they wanted to do within the class. It was a great success and allowed the campers in different cabins to begin integrating with one another and start to make fantastic memories.

Girls Power Hour focused on teaching the girls the way of ‘Girl Side’. They were taught a few of the songs and chants that are carried out at lunch time such as the ‘Girl side, what is your profession?’, the ‘Girl side synchronized cheer’ and the ‘Build me up buttercup’ song and movement. The returning campers were quick to lead the way with teaching the newer campers. It was a great experience for all involved!

Lunch time followed free swim after periods 1 and 2 and of course as it was Grilled Cheese Monday! It always goes down a treat!

The evening activity was a classic – Gold Rush. The camp was split into six different teams and competed to answer clues (riddles) the fastest and obtain the most amounts of gold. Some were harder than others ‘Look out for the Tiger in the Woods’ (Golf hill) and ‘Watch out for the Green Goblin’ (Spiders web) whereas others were a bit easier to understand ‘Find magic wherever you look, sit back, relax, all you need is a book’ (The radio room library). The teams had to figure out the clues and find where the gold was stashed. The first team that solved the riddle got to choose from the five piles of rocks and take it with them. The sixth team to figure the answer were left without any gold. The piles of gold were all weighted differently so it was a race to each pile to see who could get the best pick and the hopefully the heaviest amount. The winning team was the team whose gold weighed the most at the end.

What made it exciting was the magic rocks that teams could find. If a team found the blue rock they could freeze another team and take their gold and exchange it for theirs, if they believed the other teams gold weighed more. The emerald rock was the best though, if a team found this they kept it and it doubled the weight of their gold at the end so it was a great secret weapon!

Everyone had a great time solving the clues and finding the gold scattered around the camp – it really was a rush for gold! Trevor’s team came out on top (again?!). He was accompanied by: INSERT NAMES and they were the first to get their canteen before heading to bed no doubt exhausted from a fun filled first day of activities and adventures.

March Madness with Camp Tall Timbers

It’s truly March Madness, after our crazy, mixed-up winter of spring-like temperatures in January and February and then, our mid-March blast of frigid air and snow, at long last, April is almost here. Can summer and the adventure of sleepaway camp be far behind?

It is not too late to give the gift of summer sleepaway camp. Camp Tall Timbers has been serving up fun since 1970. Our family-owned co-ed camp welcomes boys and girls ages 7-16 with sessions to meet the needs of every camper. There is still time to register for what we promise will be our best summer ever! We have limited openings ranging from our one week introduction to sleepaway camp session to seven weeks for the ultimate sleepaway experience. From youngest to oldest, first-timer to old hand, we know what kids want and we deliver. Accredited by the ACA (American Camp Association) and 2017 winner of Best of Bethesda “Best Overnight Camp”, Camp Tall Timbers offers an unparalleled sleepaway experience. Inspiration, creativity and friendship await your child on our 120 acres nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in West Virginia, Camp Tall Timbers is approximately a 2-hour drive from the Washington DC and Baltimore metro areas. Our campers are encouraged to be themselves, try something new, unplug and have fun while promoting independence, decision-making, creativity and self-discovery. Our outstanding staff, along with our facilities and amenities, create a safe and nurturing environment to make that happen.

As the second-generation owner of Camp Tall Timbers, I have grown up here and I cannot begin to describe the impact that camp has had on my life. The diversity of skills I have gained and the many great campers, counselors, staff and parents I have had the privilege to be involved with is indescribable. Life-long friendships have been forged and it is a pleasure to welcome the children of former campers, as well as first time families, to “get away from the everyday.” Make Camp Tall Timbers part of your summer – and your life. Register now for Summer 2017

Thankful & Thriving

Many families this week will gather around the Thanksgiving table to share thanks and appreciation. Most of us will pause to reflect on the value of spending quality time together and sharing memories of those we miss. Families have become overwhelmed by the hectic rush of our daily routines, spending time together bowling, playing games or just “hanging out” has become harder to achieve in the busy lives we lead.

Leisure is an important part of family life. Many families struggle to focus on, or participate in, family leisure activities. Renowned sociologists, Zabriskie and McCormick, reasoned in their 2001 research that taking away the stressors of everyday life and, creating an opportunity to share time together, is important and, during the holiday season, deeply ingrained. This is especially important as the political climate shifts, the holidays approach and the season of gift giving begins. We like to think though, there are many times throughout the year that families can find quality time to bond and be together.

Camp Tall Timbers Family Weekend is a chance for families to unplug and spend time with each other, enjoying the fresh air and running free after a winter spent indoors. We have exciting and fun activities for the entire family including canoeing on our private lake, challenge courses, archery and much more. The Camp Tall Timbers Family Weekend is a chance to create precious memories that will last far beyond one weekend, and give you and your family one more thing to be thankful for. We are excited to announce our Family Weekend scheduled for June 3-4, 2017. Enrollment is open and we hope you will join us. Learn more information and register here.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our current and prospective families a Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for sharing over 45 summers with our Camp Tall Timbers community. Planning for Summer 2017 is well underway and we promise it will be the best summer ever!

 

 

 

Orthner, D. K., & Mancini, J. A. (1991). “Benefits of leisure for family bonding.” In B. L. Driver, P. J. Brown, & G. L. Peterson (Eds.), “Benefits of leisure.” 215-301. State College, PA: Venture.

 

Zabriskie, Ramon B. and Bryan P. McCormick. ( 2001). “The Influences of Family Leisure Patterns on Perceptions of Family Functioning.” Family Relations, 50.3, 281-289.