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"I am so grateful for the goodbye I received this past summer at Timberlake. It’s helping me through this transition. I had a chance to throw an epic final banquet, feel the energy of songs, contemplate deeply during silent meeting, and receive overwhelming appreciation from the community. I’m so glad I had such a great final summer at TL."

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure Farm & Wilderness's long-term sustainability and keep summer camp tuition affordable the Board has decided to eliminate some key leadership positions including the Director of Camps role as a standalone position. Following discussions about potentially restructuring the Director of Camps role to combine it with Timberlake Director responsibilities, W has decided to pursue other opportunities and his last day at Farm & Wilderness was December 31, 2024.  W plans to do contracted work for F&W including onboarding new the new TL Director after the position is hired in February.  

W’s impact on Timberlake over the years has been profound. Farm and Wilderness hopes you will join us in celebrating W and sharing your messages of gratitude. Please share a message with W in the form at the bottom of this page . These messages will be collected and put together a special tribute package for W.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Tulio at tulio@farmandwilderness.org or Jay at jay@farmandwilderness.org.  

W's Reflections on his time at Timberlake:

"You might be surprised to know my very first summer was in 2007 as an Arts counselor for Tupelo and Foxes cabin. I’ve been around so long my former campers’ former campers’ former campers’ have worked for me – making me a camp great great grandfather. I’ve held almost every role there is to hold at TL and worked under two directors before I took over in 2019. I’m proud of my work over the years, and I appreciate you indulging me as I share just a few: 

• Creating a more diverse Timberlake. My staff have consistently been around 50% or more staff of color and we have increased the number of non-binary and queer staff. I firmly believe that every camper deserves a champion, and I worked hard to find the staff to and nurture a camp culture to make that a reality; 

• Bringing best practices from the classroom to camp, creating firm routines and rituals across camp. It reduced behavioral issues, improved the morale and skill of my staff, and created more epic summers. We were better able to see more of each TL camper and help them create their own magic; 

• Working to tell the story of F&W in a way more folks could hear it through the creation of the first camp-based Instagram, our podcast, many YouTube videos, our TikTok, and countless fliers and posters. I was also a key writer in creating the current F&W mission and values.  

Through all of these accomplishments, I’ve consistently believed in the power of Timberlake to transform the lives of our campers. To create spaces for kids to believe anything is possible, to learn that everybody counts, to just get it done and achieve great things. Campers learn they have agency to make a dent in this world, to grow their sincerity more than their sarcasm, and that they are interdependent with the world around them. I used to say greatness await – it still does for our campers as they experience big work, big fun, and big feelings.

It was an incredible season of unplugged and unforgettable fun at F&W! Each camp director was asked to share an extra special moment from this summer at their camp. Here's a round-up of this year's "sparkle moments"!

Tamarack Farm

TF partnered with Merck Forest and Farmland in Rupert, VT. Campers and staff did an overnight trip to their site, exploring and diving deeper into their immersion areas from a different perspective. It added so much to our curriculum and to their overall learning experience at camp. And it felt great to work with such a values-aligned organization in Vermont!

~ Kate Kyros, Tamarack Farm Director

Firefly Song

Senior Lodge Apprenticeships give our oldest campers a chance to dive deeply into one area.  At the end of the session, we had a chance to enjoy a meal prepared by campers who apprenticed in the kitchen. They created a pasta bar, sides and dessert, and the rest of us were in awe of their efforts and results.

The Waterfront apprentices learned a variety of canoeing and boating skills, and then turned it all on its head to perform for the whole camp a set of “Waterfront Olympics,”  using props and tools decidedly not well suited for each the task, all accompanied by hysterical commentary from a small group of counselors posing as former Olympic champions and experts. For example, they built their own paddles out of noodles, kickboards, buoys, and so on; they paddled backwards or tried to maneuver boats in nearly impossible ways (all with appropriate floatation devices on, of course!); and they had various crazy races made much more difficult by the tools they were required to use. The balance of narration, performance, and a nod to the Olympic tradition made for a wonderful event, celebrating the accomplishments of our oldest campers and their hard work throughout the session. 

~ Clarissa Thompson, Firefly Song Director

Timberlake

Saying goodbye to Timberlake as an outgoing director was hard, but the sendoff was epic. The whole Timberlake community surprised me with an incredibly heart-warming beading ceremony. It made me laugh, it made me cry--it was very TL. It was the most perfect parting gift, because now I'll take with me the memory of standing on stage, seeing the row of people in front of me, seeing their faces flickering in the campfire light, remembering one of our core ceremonies adapted to be the sweetest goodbye. I'll never forget that.  

~ Jarod "W" Wunneburger, Outgoing Timberlake Director

SAM Camp

It's so hard to pick a favorite moment, but the SAM Dance really sparkled this year! In second session, we hosted folks from Firefly Song, Tamarack Farm, and Barn Day Camp! Even better, many of the BDC'ers brought their parents and grandparents, many of whom were F&W alum. It felt like a huge family reunion! The SAM Jam Band played jigs and waltzes til the moon was out, and dancers went home home happy, tired, and full of chili. 

~ Adair Arbor, Saltash Mountain (SAM) Camp Director

Barn Day Camp

We had a fun, creative, adventurous, and playful summer at Barn Day Camp this year! Our talented and diverse group of staff shared their enthusiasm and skills with the fantastic campers and families. One great highlight was our adventure Days and overnights! A particularly enjoyable one was a long day hike over to Plymouth where campers got to learn about the art of making and tasting delicious cheeses at the Plymouth Cheese Factory. On this day trip, campers also learned about some traditional farming methods with Farmer Fred. We also had some pretty incredible camper creations, like the "Goat-a-Pult" - a camper designed invention to launch grasses to our beloved goats. Helpful and fun!

~ Emily Mathon, Barn Day Camp Director

At the end of each session at all F&W overnight camps, campers are asked to answer three questions in writing: 

1) What is one moment you were proud of?

2) What is one thing you'll tell people about your time at camp?

3) What is one moment that felt meaningful or impactful to you? 

In their own words, here's what F&W campers have to say about their experiences: 

Tamarack Farm

"When I leave TF this summer I am going to tell people about the relationships I've made and the self-discovery I've gained in ways I don't think I could anywhere else. This place feels more like home than mine back outside of camp due to the safety and strong community!"

"Singing in community, not just every morning but whenever we're inspired, and sharing a song I wrote while knowing I'm surrounded by a supportive community."

"I am proud of the chicken slaughter with the Agriculture Immersion. I feel like I did a competent job, as was owed to the animal. It really impacted how I look at food."

Firefly Song

"One moment I was proud of is when I did my 24-hour solo. I'll never EVER forget how I felt after it. The feeling is unforgettable."

"I will tell people about the skills I have acquired such as learning to build fires, shelters, to use an axe, and fell trees. I will also tell people about all the friends I have made, the ones from my cabin, trip, apprenticeship, and more."

"After we lit the Interdependence Day day fire. When all the pioneers and everyone stood in silence as the fire began to burn."

Timberlake

"I got two ratings, that I had to work hard for."

"All of the Foxes cabin were really welcoming and were extremely nice to me and I had a great time thanks to them."

"I'm proud of making it through trips. What was difficult was walking nine miles, which felt like more, but I'm still proud of myself for walking nine miles."

SAM Camp

"I'll definitely come back again, the food is great, and you get to see amazing views!"

"Getting to the top of Giant Mountain was amazing!"

"I'll tell people about Singing on the Hill every day and how much I enjoyed that."