Category: Overnight Summer Camp

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.

March Madness with Camp Tall Timbers

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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

Posted on by Glenn Smith

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.