Author: Glenn Smith

How to Prepare Your Child for Overnight Camp

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Four camp friends prepared with summer camp essentials

Going to overnight summer camp—especially for the first time—is a big event in a child’s life. They’ll be spending several nights away from home in a new place with no parents around. It’s a big step—not just for them, but for you as well. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ease the uncertainty and maximize the excitement for this summer adventure—talking to them about it early, packing summer camp essentials and comfort items, practicing independence, and more. In this blog, we’ll help you prepare!

Start the Conversation Early

Don’t wait until a few days before camp begins to start the conversation with your child about what to expect. Start as soon as you sign them up! Share with them what the average day at camp might look like so they have an idea of what to expect.

At Camp Tall Timbers, daily activities include cabin cleanup, swimming, a rest hour, evening entertainment, and elective activities:

  • Sports
  • Horseback riding
  • Aquatics
  • Hiking
  • Ziplines
  • Arts and crafts
  • And many more …

You can find a full rundown of the daily schedule and activities here. When your child knows all the fun things in store for them, their excitement will build and any reservations they have will dissipate.

Pack Smart Together

Packing doesn’t have to feel like a chore! Set aside some time to check the packing list of all the summer camp essentials—toiletries, blankets, books, sunscreen, bug spray, and of course, summer camp outfits. Those aren’t all the summer camp supplies that should go along with them. There are several items that may be specific to your child that can make their experience delightful.

Don’t forget to include some comforting items from home, especially if this is their first outing. These could include a special blanket or stuffed animal that they hold dear. You can even make one of their summer camp outfits incorporate clothing items they love to wear. Small touches like this can go a long way towards their overall comfort.

Label Everything

No matter if it’s toothbrushes, towels, sleeping bags, or individual clothing items, it’s a good idea to label everything your child brings along with them. Durable name labels or permanent markers will do the trick. Applying these labels helps them locate lost belongings and take ownership of each item, as well as practice responsibility skills.

Practice Independence at Home

Summer camp essentials aren’t just tangible items; they can include positive mindsets and habits, as well! The best part is that your child can begin to get some practice in before they even show up at Camp Tall Timbers! Encourage your child to:

  • Make their own bed every morning
  • Keep track of their personal items and belongings
  • Get into a basic daily routine that will help them thrive

When these routines are established, your little one will be able to adjust to camp life more easily and be ready for life away from home.

Prepare for Homesickness

Even though overnight summer camp is a blast—filled with fun and life-skills building—homesickness is a possibility. They’re not used to such a change in lifestyle, albeit a temporary one. Well before camp begins, take steps to let them know that these feelings of homesickness will pass once they settle in.

To help them through these emotions, you can plan to send them a letter in the middle of their stay, to assure them you’re thinking about them and you want them to have a great time! This show of love and support will go a long way.

Review Camp Rules and Safety Tips

Closer to camp time, sit down with your child and go over the rules and expectations of the camp—such as our rules around no cellphone use. Talk about the importance of respecting the other campers, staying safe, and speaking up if they have a concern. Reinforcing these values will help your child feel empowered and confident that they can take on this exciting new situation!

All the Summer Camp Essentials

Getting your child ready for their first summer camp experience is a process that should begin sooner rather than later. It’s about more than packing summer camp essentials and getting in the car—it’s about building their confidence levels and letting them know you trust them to be independent. You trust them to foster their burgeoning sense of adventure. Giving them this show of support will help them start their experience off right: with excitement for the adventures and memories that will soon manifest! If you as a parent have any concerns around summer camp supplies, safety policies, and activities, we understand and we’re ready to answer any questions you have. All you need to do is reach out and we’ll put your mind at ease!

The Benefits of Phone-Free Overnight Summer Camps

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Camp Tall Timbers camper during an art class

These days, mobile devices are everywhere. We shop on them, play games on them, chat with our friends using them, navigate using their GPS apps … you get the picture. While these technological marvels offer plenty of convenience and other benefits, it’s difficult to deny that there have been drawbacks as a result—a lack of connection with nature, low social skill development, lower levels of confidence and mental well-being, and more. That’s where overnight summer camps come in. When phones are taken out of the equation, kids can discover what they may be missing out on, if only for a short time. In this blog, we’ll discuss all the benefits of summer camp without phones.

Reconnecting With Nature

When phones are taken out of the equation during summer programs for kids, it’s a lot easier to take in the world around you without distraction. At Camp Tall Timbers, the scenic setting becomes something that begs to be explored, rather than an afterthought that plays second fiddle to a YouTube video. Campers have countless opportunities to discover the world around them through:

  • Nature walks and hikes that get their legs moving
  • Horseback riding, swimming, and other outdoor games that blend fun with strength and coordination building
  • Campfires and stargazing sessions that spark wonder and curiosity of the unknown

Who knew the benefits of summer camp without phones were so extensive?

Building Real Social Skills

Technology has allowed us to stay connected to anyone we want, putting communication at our fingertips. Ironically, however, it’s also proven to be a detriment to social interactions. When everyone is behind a screen, human interaction is less personal and much different from the “real” thing. When these social experiences are in-person, connections can become stronger and real, genuine friendships can be formed. That’s exactly what overnight summer camps seek to encourage.

We offer shared experiences—such as group living and group activities—that require essential face-to-face communication. On top of that, our campers learn teamwork and collaboration through sports and challenges. The result is an amazing boost to empathy and understanding that’s based on more than just likes and shares.

Boosting Confidence and Independence

Summer programs for kids force campers to take in the world around them, which can be a big boon for their confidence. When they can’t rely solely on their phones for entertainment or answers, their problem-solving instincts kick in. They’ll turn to their surrounding environment for their experiences rather than what’s confined to a rectangle in their hands—and the results can be amazing as they gain actual life skills, including:

  • Problem solving and decision making as a result of everyday camping activities
  • Responsibility and leadership from performing group and individual tasks
  • Resilience and confidence from stepping outside of their comfort zones and trying new, exciting things

Improving Mental Well-Being

More than just speculation, there are mountains of evidence supporting a link between mobile phone use and declining mental health—just take a look at this article. In short, many kids develop a dependency on their phones, not knowing how to cope with many parts of life without this “lifesaver” nearby. Social media paints everyone’s life as a wonderful, care-free experience, when it’s actually just a highlight reel that ignores the everyday struggles and challenges everyone faces.

Overnight summer camps can become a respite for these issues that exacerbate FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) as a result of a constant stream of notifications. When those are removed from the picture, it’s easier to see what’s important and realize your potential rather than comparing yourself to the online appearances of others.

Encouraging Creativity and Play

Overnight summer camps offer plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and hands-on experiences. That rings especially true at our phone-free camp, where traditional experiences are brought to life. These activities include:

  • Arts and crafts that encourage self-expression
  • Storytelling that lights the fire of imagination
  • Scavenger hunts and other games based in nature that stoke curiosity in young minds
  • Sports activities that encourage collaboration and spark the joy of friendly competition

Rediscover the Real World

The phones will always be there when camp comes to an end. When our campers realize this, they’ll find it increasingly easier to separate from the devices that are seemingly glued to their hands. The interesting part is that many campers who successfully “unplug” realize how much they’ve been missing when all is said and done. Stronger friendships, improved mental health, heightened confidence, and a sense of wonder are all realized once the time is taken to “stop and smell the roses,” so to speak.

We encourage every child to experience overnight summer camps without their phones as a crutch. Who knows what amazing discoveries they’ll make? For a truly wonderful summer camp experience, contact us at Camp Tall Timbers.

How Overnight Camp Helps Kids Build Independence & Confidence

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Young boy enjoying overnight summer camp at Camp Tall Timbers

Sleeping in cabins. Getting in touch with nature. Campfires. We could fill multiple pages just listing the exciting things that kids can do at our overnight camp, but that wouldn’t quite do the experience justice. It wouldn’t convey just how impactful two or three weeks away from home can be for youngsters—but we’re still going to try to get the point across. Because it really is quite an experience, and if we had our way, every kid in the world would be able to go to overnight summer camp at least once.

So stay a while. Take a seat on the stump, grab a stick and some marshmallows, and listen to all the ways a great summer camp can build character, independence, confidence, and more.

Stepping Out of Their Comfort Zone

By the time a kid is old enough to attend camp, they’ve probably gone to a sleepover or two—or at least spent the night at grandma and grandpa’s. Aside from that, though, they probably haven’t spent an extended amount of time away from both their home and their parents. While that prospect can be nerve-wracking for parents and kids alike, the experience is a great way to help them adapt to unfamiliar surroundings in a safe environment.

Daily routines are practiced here while this exciting new environment is navigated with the guidance of camp staff, rather than familiar family members. Throughout the overnight summer camp experience, kids will learn to adjust to different schedules, sleeping arrangements, and unfamiliar faces. This shakeup teaches them to start trusting their instincts and ability to make decisions in small yet meaningful ways. 

Making Decisions on Their Own

Overnight camp gives children the agency to make their own choices in a safe setting, which provides a boost in confidence and decision-making skills. Camp Tall Timbers, for example, offers choice:

  • Before arriving at camp, campers can choose which activities they want to partake in each day, be it archery, swimming, arts and crafts, and much more.
  • Free time offers campers the opportunity to do what they want, as long as camp rules are being followed
  • Kids learn to take responsibility for their belongings and keep their personal spaces within their cabins organized.

These daily decisions may seem simple, but they’re empowering campers to take ownership of their day and develop vital self-reliance.

Building Social Skills

You know the feeling you get when you take your child to the playground and see them interacting with the other kids? It’s probably a good feeling. They’re making friends and learning to interact with their peers! Now imagine if they could do that for two or three weeks straight! With this kind of opportunity, kids can develop real-world social skills that will be invaluable in a school setting and beyond. They’ll be:

  • Meeting new people and establishing friendships with other kids from varying walks of life
  • Actively listening, sharing, and resolving conflicts
  • Participating in team-focused games and activities

It isn’t just an overnight camp—it’s a training ground for making valuable connections and friendships!

Learning Through Challenges

Summer camps aren’t just about fun—though that’s a huge part of it, for sure. No, they’re also about growth. When placed into a new environment away from home, new daily challenges present themselves and campers learn to push past their fears and reservations.

That doesn’t mean kids are subjected to scary situations—quite the opposite, actually. Much of the fear they overcome here is simply born of a lack of exposure. Trying something for the first time—ziplining, canoeing, or even public speaking—can be a little scary despite how rewarding it is in the end. When a child confronts those fears, they develop a sense of pride that often isn’t found in a daily home setting. It also teaches them that they’re stronger and more resilient than they realize.

Every little victory can provide exponential growth in confidence as each camper discovers what they’re capable of. At the best summer camps for kids, they’ll learn to come out of their shells.

Encouraging Personal Growth

Every camper can accomplish new things without relying on their parents (don’t worry—parents are still as important as ever). They just need to realize it! Here’s how overnight camp helps them along:

  • They gain valuable self-esteem through achievements and peer recognition.
  • Realizing they can solve problems, make friends, and have fun on their own helps them feel empowered—and who knows what they will achieve after this realization!
  • The skills and values they learn at camp can be applied elsewhere in their lives—school, home, and in their community.

In short, the independence that manifests at overnight summer camp can build the foundation for continued growth in life.

Camp Tall Timbers: The Overnight Camp You’ve Been Looking For

The best summer camps for kids are those that go beyond campfire songs (though those are always fun). The whole experience should build the character and confidence of every camper, teaching them valuable life skills while providing an experience they’ll always look back on fondly. That’s exactly what Camp Tall Timbers provides. Get in touch with the camp director if you have any questions, or sign your child up for an unforgettable experience today!

Wild West Day at Camp Tall Timbers!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Yesterday was Wild West Day! YEE-HAW!

Wild West- Camp Tall Timbers is a place filled with mystery and wonder, flat deserts and steep canyons, milk and cookies, good and bad. It is up to y’all to brave these harsh lands and win the most prestige to make the Wild West- Camp Tall Timbers your own. But be wary: you’re not the only ones roaming these lands. Bandits and thieves hide around every corner, and if you’re not careful, they may take everything you have. Best of luck cowboys and cowgirls and just remember: Rootin’ Tootin’ and Shootin’!

This camp ain’t big enough for the four of us! Campers were split into the cowboys, sheriffs, outlaws, and pioneers, and moved through activities to find out which one of them was the best.

Cross the Desert

Campers needed to cross the desert (upper fields), but can’t touch the cacti (be tagged by other campers)! Once tagged you too become a cactus until one person is left standing gaining points for their team.

Water Horse Race

Each team sent out three campers in a canoe to go out into the lake, circle the counselor in the kayak, and come back first. Best out of three won!

Shootout

Each team member would shoot once at riflery and the team with the best hits on the target won.

Canyon Gorge Run

This relay race included going down the slip-n-slide, weaving through torches, going under the parachute, and crab-walking to the finish. The team with the best time won.

Wild West Dance

Each team had to create a two-minute dance to a country song during both free swims and after dinner to perform at the social.

Social

Presentation of dances and fun dancing!

In the end, the outlaws placed first (Travis, Porter, Franklin, Dylan. James, Matthew, David, Heath, Charlotte, Ingrid, Lily, Lily, Eliza, Maddie, Molly, Claire, Sara, Leighton, Emma, Drew, Skylar, Sydney, and Ruby), followed by the pioneers, cowboys, and sheriffs.

Signing off with a Can-do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

Thanks for being the Best Summer Camp!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Evening Activity Extravaganza!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Second session was filled with so many fun evening activities it was an evening activity extravaganza!! Here are just a few examples:

Zombie Apocalypse Night!

Last week campers were split into six groups to try and find a cure to an infectious disease causing an outbreak of zombies! Teams were sent through activities to gain power ups such as 2x points, freeze a zombie, ‘no bones’ a zombie, and revive a teammate to help win capture the flag on the golf hill!

These activities consisted of getting one bullseye, two in red, or three in blue at archery, climbing to the top of the climbing wall, getting fifteen soccer goals, getting two basketball hoops with defense, winning a game of volleyball against the zombies, and sending your whole team through the spider web without touching it.

Zombies were stationed at the bottom of the golf hill and each team would send two campers at a time to grab a paint bottle. If tapped by a zombie, then they became infected and became part of the zombies chasing after those trying to retrieve the flag! 

The team that retrieved the most flags in the end defeated the zombies and found a cure! Vance and Jami’s team won which consisted of Sydney Rob, Maddy, Skylar, Poppy, Chloe, Frederick, Chase, Jack, Heath, Thomas, and Iver. But the evening activity extravaganza didn’t end there!

Clue Night!

Tuesday night we had clue night! This activity consisted of teams of campers doing a scavenger hunt around camp and finding clues to figure out who ate the pudding, with what weapon, and where this horrendous crime took place.

Each team had to go to the lake campfire, pavilion, pool, frisbee golf hole, office porch, art shack, rec hall, gym mats, basketball courts, sports shed, soccer goal, golf putting green, archery, climbing wall, and the entrance sign. At each of these locations there was an envelope hidden with certain locations, people, and weapons, which would then be crossed off, and then through the process of elimination the last one in each category is the correct answer to the mystery.

Throughout this hunt teams had the ability to gain power cards which consisted of blackmail – the ability to ask a team to reveal one of their cards to you; bribery – the ability to trade this power card for one of theirs; friendly wager – ability to wager a certain number of cars and play rock-paper-scissors with the losing team revealing the number of cards wagered to the winning team; and investigate a theory – the ability to ask a team one person, place, and weapon and if they have one of those they must show you.

The first team to complete the scavenger hunt with the correct answer and win was Harold’s team which consisted of Mackenzie, Serena, Natalia, Malcom, Jacob, and Timmy. In the end we found that Vance ate the pudding at the gym mats with the fancy spoon!

Citrus Night!

Sunday night we had a camp favorite evening activity citrus night! Each team of counselors picked campers’ names out of a hat to randomly create a team. After picking teams each team also randomly picked an orange which determined how much money they could spend at the auction. Items such as: a tube from the art shack, box, broken water gun, baseball, etc. were sold, but teams were not told what these objects would be used for in the end. 

Throughout this auction teams were able to gain more money if they were wearing citrus colors and through citrus wammies, which are challenges (mostly) with oranges. These included bocce, bucket throw and dunking a counselor with the cold water, two person toss, peeling an orange the fastest, squeezing the most juice out, making a song about an orange, worshipping an orange, and a lemon juice shot. 

Once all of the items were sold each team had to build something to protect the orange when getting hit with a baseball bat with the items they bought and tape. In the end, Rosalie and Alex’s team came away with the victory! What an incredible evening activity extravaganza!

Signing off with a Can-do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

PS. Want to explore more of the fun we’ve had this summer? Hear from our campers in this blog!

Summer Camp Adventure, oh-my!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Best overnight camp in West Virginia – Camp Adventures!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Camp Tall Timbers is the best overnight camp in West Virginia for adventures, here’s why!

Yesterday was our first trip since 2019! We were fortunate to have an extremely successful and fun day in the sun at Cacapon State Park! 

On the bus ride there campers sang songs and learned bus traditions that have not been shared in the past few years such as holding your breath when driving past a cemetery and holding up your feet while touching a screw when we go over train tracks.

Once at Cacapon the campers were able to swim and jump in the lake, nap, read, or play games on the sand and eat yummy snacks at the snack bar. 

After this fun-filled afternoon campers and counselors changed and moved to a pavilion where we had a cookout with burgers and hotdogs. Quickly moving on to our evening activity which was a surprise…MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT. 

The campers found out that Gigi, the dog, had disappeared under suspicious circumstances, and were then split into six groups. This suspenseful activity entails all of the groups becoming detectives and interviewing six counselors and doing activities to gain information from them to try and figure out who would want to kill our beloved, hilarious, and sometimes filthy Gigi. In the end, Patrick (head boys counselor) was the culprit and killed her because Glenn was spending too much time with her. Even today campers are continuing to interrogate him.  

Everyone was actively participating in swimming, snacking, and detecting until our extraordinary day was over, ending with chocolate chip cookies on the bus ride home!    

Signing off with a Can do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

PS. Camp Tall Timbers is gearing up for another fun summer at the best overnight camp in West Virginia. Read more about our adventures on our blog .

Dancing through the Decades – sleepaway camp in West Virginia!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Camp Tall Timbers is your premier sleepaway camp in West Virginia!

Dance Through the Decades: June 29th, 2022

Last night we ended the night by time traveling through the decades of 1920s-2010s!

During lunch each cabin picked a decade randomly and had to create a dance to a song they chose from their decade. 

  • Girl’s Side
    • Cabin A: 70s (I Will Survive)
    • Cabin B: 30s (Pennies From Heaven)
    • Cabin G: 60s (I Want You Back)
    • Cabin H: 80s (Wake Me Up Before You GoGo)
    • Girl’s Tents: 20s (1920s cover of Habits)
  • Boy’s Side
    • Cabin 1: 90s (Steal my Sunshine)
    • Cabins 2 & 3: 00s (Soulja Boy)
    • Cabin 78: 10s (Sexy and I Know It)
    • Boy’s Tents: 50s (Help)

After working relentlessly through rest hour, free swim, and after dinner, each cabin was able to perform their dances for the camp and the judges, who were special guests: The Spice Girls, and Paprika! Paprika was the crowd’s favorite judge as after each dance he said, “now that was spicy,” creating super loud cheers throughout the gym!

It was a great competition ending in a tie between Girl’s Tents (Alexandria, Jordan, Lindsey, Dana, Rachel, Annabel, and Anna) and Cabin H (Kaylin, Janet, Kate, and Lea) so we had to have a tie breaker. These two groups had seven minutes to create one more dance to the song Toxic by Britney Spears in order to determine the winner. In the end Cabin H took the win and was able to get their canteen first, which was beloved milkshakes!

Again, we will be posting a GMTT of this spicy night soon!

Signing off with a Can Do Attitude 🙂

Jami Siegal

PS. Camp Tall Timbers continues to be your favorite sleepaway camp in West Virginia thanks in part to our amazing counselors, fabulous guests and fun activities. Summer camp enrollment opens in winter for the following summer. Don’t delay, camp spots book up fast so set a reminder on your calendar and book your kids for the best sleepaway camp in West Virginia.

Want to read more about our camp adventures? Check out this blog!

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

 

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

 

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

 


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!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Camp Tall Timbers Family Camp: Packing List

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Welcome to Camp Tall Timbers Family Camp, the best summer camp in West Virginia! We are thrilled to have you here for our overnight summer camp experience. Our team of dedicated counselors and staff are ready to provide you with an unforgettable summer filled with fun and adventure. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, learn new skills, or simply enjoy the great outdoors, Camp Tall Timbers Family CAmp has everything you need. Before you start your adventure, be sure to review the packing list to ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable stay. We can’t wait to see all the amazing memories that you will create during your time with us!

Click on the link below to print a copy of the Camp Tall Timbers Family Camp Packing List.

7-13 Family Camp Packing List

Clothing & Personal Accessories

T-shirts

Shorts

Long pants

Warm (fleece) Jacket, Sweater or Sweatshirt

Rain gear

Pajamas

Socks

Underwear

Bathing Suits

Sunglasses

Baseball hat

Sneakers

Beach/Water shoes/Flip Flops/Slides

Rain Boots (optional)

 

Equipment

In an effort to reduce the risk on camp, we are

recommending that families bring their own athletic equipment if possible.

Tennis Rackets

Tennis Balls*

Basketball*

Soccer Ball*

Fishing Rod*

Baseball Gloves

Camp Chairs

Water Bottle

Flashlight with batteries

Fans (battery-operated or plug-in)

Linens

Twin Sheets*

Blanket(s)*

Pillow(s)/Pillow cases*

Bath Towels

Beach Towels

*Needed for each family member and can be provided upon request.

Toiletries

Shampoo/Conditioner

Soap

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Deodorant

Comb/Brush

Sunscreen

Bug Spray

Daily Medication

OTC Medication

Rx Medications (i.e. EPI-Pens &  Inhalers)

Required at Camp

Face Masks*

Hand Sanitizer*

Thermometer

White shirts and clothes for tie-dye

Goggles for swimming

Books

Musical Instruments

Tight-sealing cooler for personal drinks

and snacks (we’ll supply the ice)

Note: items with an asterisks (*) may be requested while at camp

Thank you for choosing Camp Tall Timbers Family Camp as your summer camp destination. We look forward to creating unforgettable memories with you! Looking for our overnight summer camp packing list? Find it here!

Hello Campers, Parents and Alumni

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Celebrating 50 years of Camp Fun!

Posted on by Glenn Smith

We welcome Summer 2020 at Camp Tall Timbers, your #1 summer camp in West Virginia as voted by you in the best of Bethesda awards. It brings us great joy as we celebrate 50 years of camping fun! As we begin this year, we want to thank all of our campers, counselors and staff– for helping us reach this milestone.

Your friendship, talent and enthusiasm have helped Camp Tall Timbers continue its mission: to be a welcoming, friendly and encouraging place for summers filled with learning, growing, laughing and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Our first campers have their own families now, many of whom have sent their own children to spend the summer with us. We are grateful for all of our wonderful alumni, campers and friends, who have become part of our Camp Tall Timbers Family.

We feel fortunate each and every summer as we meet our returning and new campers who come to us for summer fun, new and old friendships, awesome experiences, caring counselors and a chance to unplug and connect.

As we begin 2020 we are looking forward to a new summer filled with amazing campers, their families, staffing team and the endless possibilities the Camp Tall Timbers experience will provide.

Away from the Everyday. Our very best to you and your families for much happiness, good health and joyful 2020.

Woheelo, (translation: friendship everlasting)

Glenn

Learn why everyone voted for Camp Tall Timbers in the best of Bethesda awards. We are your #1 summer camp in West Virginia. Explore current camp openings today!

Summer is here- Packing Count Down Begins

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

Away From the Everyday

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Sleepaway camp is an amazing and wonderful experience for any child. With the challenges and stresses of everyday life, sleep away camp provides children with an opportunity to safely explore, grow, build confidence —and make long lasting friendships. Living in a cabin with nine other people the same age encourages responsibility, builds teamwork, respect for others, and develops bonds that last a lifetime. Camp friends are friends for life.

At Camp Tall Timbers we have been providing magical summers for children for over 46 years. Magic and meaningful experiences happen when kids are learning and growing independently as well as collaboratively –each and every single day. We encourage our campers to step outside books, ipads and gaming— we want them to experience the world around them. When they unplug, they reconnect with the world in amazing ways. At Camp Tall Timbers we have a world away from the city, the stress, the traffic and the noise. Our world is comprised of swimming pool blue, pine forest green, hiking-trail brown and campfire gold,. Nature is our playground.

Our campers fuse into this environment and make it “the best”. Each summer we watch them build confidence and respect for themselves and others. We watch them test themselves by taking on new challenges, embracing the outdoors and finding laughter that echoes through the trees. Our professional staff safely guide and encourage campers to embrace new challenges, develop and expand skills and make it fun all along the way. We love building confidence and smiles.

We are an award winning nationally accredited camp. We provide 120 acres of activities and adventures–swimming, tennis, soccer, horseback riding, zip lining, kayaking, arts and crafts, biking, hiking, golf and so much more. While we want our campers to have fun and get silly –we take our job, caring for them, very seriously. Our counselors are well screened, trained, qualified and experienced professionals, including teachers, coaches and college students. We have onsite nurses and nearby doctors.

Magic happens here. Away From the Everyday.

National Get Outdoors Day Giveaway

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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!

 

Third Session, The Fun Continues…

Posted on by Glenn Smith

Good evening from Third Session at Camp Tall Timbers! Today all the new campers arrived, and it was an exciting day for everyone. Campers were reunited with friends from previous years and began to make new friends with those who haven’t been part of the CTT family before.

We started the day with lunch followed by a short rest hour. The rest hour was spent unpacking and arranging the campers’ belongings as well as chatting away with their cabin friends. The bell then rang at 2.30pm for the afternoon activity – Clue. Joey had been murdered, found by Casey and we needed to find the culprit!
We met at the pavilion for a debrief of the situation and then each cabin went around in groups, some cabins teaming up – Cabins A and F together as well as Cabins 3 and 5, and Cabin 7 with Boys’ Tents (double trouble!). The campers had to go to several activities and try and get some clues as a reward for their hard work. We had stations at the pool, the gym mats and tennis, to name a few. Cabin 8 were the fastest team to undo a human knot at the gym mats with a score of 0.19 seconds (crazy), compared to Girls’ Tents that took just over 7 minutes.
The activity went on for a couple of hours before we were all back at the pavilion to see which team had found the clues and solved the crime!
Once the game was over we had time for free swim before our first camp dinner of this session: lasagna, calzones and garlic bread – It was a winner!
The day ended with a campfire for our introductory evening activity. Each cabin worked together to create a skit about a bear from Timber Ridge breaking in and stealing all of Bill’s food. But, there was a twist – everything had to be sung! It was a song skit, and it was highly amusing. Girls’ Tents took to the floor and did a version of ‘We are Boys’ Tents’, but ‘We are Girls’ Tents’ and presented their story of the bears being caught. Cabin F went with a Goldilocks theme with Ashlyn narrating (singing) the synopsis. It was very funny. However, Cabin A won the best skit for their performance featuring a lot of choral singing led by Dani and Sydney.
Everyone then sung a couple of songs together – Country Roads being a campfire classic and Wonderwall, before making our s’mores and heading to bed with big smiles on the campers’ faces. We can tell already that Third session will definitely be a blast!

July 5th

Posted on by Glenn Smith

It’s Wednesday the 5th of July and following the celebrations yesterday, we’re back to usual and it is a C day. It was the first C day so all the campers were still adjusting to their schedules and fathoming who they had their classes with.

The day kicked off with Girl Power Hour and Boys league. Girl Power Hour concentrated on a wider topic of trust which will become more apparent to the campers as the session goes on. The girls did exercises that focused on the mind, body and attitude. There were three different activities for each focal point and all the girls worked collectively to achieve the goals together. The aim of Girl Power Hour this session is to work with all the girls to accomplish something as a group and learn how to create and solidify real friendships through trust.

Boys league was more athletically based and they played several games. The younger boys were in the Rec Hall and the older ones in the gym. From the outside, all you could hear was a lot of screaming and singing in time with the music from the speakers so one could only imagine it was a lot of fun!

Lunch came before we knew it and there wasn’t a silent camper in sight with it being Taco Tuesday and the chants of Girlside and Boyside echoing the dining hall as loud as ever. A few of the announcements included: ‘Solomon learning how to do a backwards roll in Gymnastics’ as well as ‘Xavier doing a back tuck with a spot’. There was also a shout out to Anders for trying exceptionally hard in Vollyball!

This evening was another exciting one as the whole camp headed out on a field trip to a baseball game! The game was against two local teams: the Winchester Royals and The Harrisonburg Turks. The atmosphere was great, the campers were content and the snack bar was exhausted from the countless trips to buy sodas! Joey P was fortunate enough to receive a pair of signed batting gloves while Mayson and Caley managed to also acquire a ball each, one of which was signed by most of the team – cool, huh!

Happy 4th of July

Posted on by Glenn Smith

It’s the fourth of July! Happy fourth of July to all our friends and family of Camp Tall Timbers, we hope the day treated you as well as it did everyone here.

To kick off the great day of celebrations most of the campers and counsellors came to breakfast dressed ever so patriotically, it was a sea of red, white and blue wherever you turned. The flag was raised just before breakfast and the National Anthem was sung at breakfast accompanied by a standing ovation. Bill, our ever so friendly Kitchen Supervisor, took to the middle of the floor to deliver a version of ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ much to everyone’s entertainment.

The activities were running as usual and lunchtime featured an array of announcements: ‘Bubba Harr for catching 7 fish in Lake Activities’ – the most that anyone has caught this summer so far! ‘Ella Stamera for climbing up the rock wall in 32 seconds’ and ‘Jake Gentin for winning the 500 game in Football’.

Dinner was slightly different today. We had a cook out and everyone sat with their cabins and out outside under the pavilion. It was fun and the food was great: BBQ chicken, hotdogs and burgers with the ever-favourable salad bar.

What followed dinner was a camp baseball game run by Joey from admin and counsellor Casey. The campers were split into two teams with counsellors and they all prepared to play their biggest game of the season at CTT. There was music in the background, 4th of July banners displayed and Phil was narrating the whole game, it was a great atmosphere to be a part of. The final score of the game was 14-6.

After the baseball game Brynn and Jenna arranged a pool party for the whole camp. Everyone was ushered down and we did competitions – best belly flop, biggest splash, best dive, to name a few. We also played water polo which was very enjoyable. Pool parties are always a winner!

To complete the day of celebrations canteen was a camp favourite: milkshakes!

First Day of Camp

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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.

Spirit & Swag

Posted on by Glenn Smith

It’s quiet now at Camp Tall Timbers but, if you listen very closely, the spring breeze ripples the still waters of our private lake, rustles through the trees and dances across the athletic fields, you can imagine the laughter, hear the songs and feel the energy of summer camp at its best.

Our first session is still a few weeks away. Cabins and common spaces are getting prepped, supplies are on order and a great staffing team is being finalized. The excitement is palpable as we anticipate welcoming our first campers of the summer.  Soon Camp Tall Timbers will be full of laughter and song when our campers arrive for what we know will be our best summer ever – Summer 2017!

Camp Tall Timbers has always been a magical summer place where kids thrive and grow. For almost 50 years, campers have been heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains for inspiration to get away from the everyday, try new things, challenge mind and body and make new friends. Camp Tall Timbers has many traditions cultivated over the years that make our campers part of our larger camp community.  We’re all about time-honored values: honesty, friendship, skill-building, respect, teamwork, confidence, creativity and self-discovery. Through songs and cheers, the spirit of Camp Tall Timbers can be felt in every nook and cranny of our 120 acres. Campers feel that spirit every day in all that they do, enhancing the experience and wonder of summer camp and creating fond memories they can hold on to for a lifetime.

To build community, we make announcements at every meal highlighting camper accomplishments. We cheer each other on, offering encouragement and support. We award Golden Feathers for each activity to recognize those campers who show particular effort, improvement or skill throughout the session. Around an evening campfire, while stars twinkle overhead and crickets chirp, we share stories, sing songs and connect with each other. The spirit of Camp Tall Timbers lives in all of us!


Announcements, announcements, announcements…visit our camp store and check out our exclusive gear and share in the fun with the Camp Tall Timbers spirit!