TIMBERLAKE

A conversation with W, Director of Camp Timberlake, on finding TL, leaving a legacy, and thinking about the next 85 years. Season 2, Episode 2 of the Farm and Wilderness Podcast. 

There’s no place quite like it. Nestled in the forests of Central Vermont, Camp Timberlake has been a place of summer magic for 85 years. It’s been the home away from home for so many campers over the years and is a place that fosters deep connections, personal growth, and epic fun. In this episode of the Farm & Wilderness Podcast, our guest host, Clarissa, the Firefly Song Director, chats with W, the Director of Camp Timberlake since 2019. They explore what makes Timberlake unique, its evolution over the years, and the camp’s enduring legacy and future aspirations.

Discovering Timberlake: A Director’s Origin Story

"I ended up really falling in love with the community and the intentionality of it in a way that I felt like I never really experienced until that point," W reflects on his first summer at Timberlake as a college student. That really captures the essence of Timberlake's allure—the creation of a space where intentionality fosters a profound sense of community. From there, camp was the constant each summer since 2007, even as W moved from Los Angeles to New York City and eventually Vermont. From counselor to summer leadership to camp director, camp always felt like a place to go back to. W’s journey from discovering Timberlake in college in Los Angeles to embracing the role of director demonstrates camp's transformative power.

The Core Values of Timberlake

Timberlake’s key outcomes are agency, sincerity, and interconnectedness. "All of us at Farm and Wilderness are thinking a lot about the notion of impact and what we are doing to grow good humans," W shares, highlighting Timberlake’s commitment to nurturing these values. This ethos not only shapes campers and staff but also fosters a supportive and low-competition environment where everyone is encouraged to look out for one another and grow together. Together with the Farm & Wilderness values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equity, and Sustainability, Timberlake is a place of magic.

Adapting to Challenges: Timberlake During COVID-19

The pandemic posed unique challenges for Timberlake and Farm & Wilderness. After closing for summer 2020, reopening for summer 2021 was a huge task. "There are those moments during COVID where I thought, ‘I don't want to do this. I don't think I can do this, but I’m the one here to do it’” W remarks. W describes the decisions around adapting camp to keep everyone safe, a summer F&W called “Special Edition.” It was important to grapple with what to keep and what to change – campers couldn’t hold hands, couldn’t sing inside, and the oldest couldn’t mentor the youngest. It was tough to navigate the changes and to hold Timberlake in the summers after.

Celebrating 85 Years of Timberlake

Reflecting on Timberlake's 85th anniversary, W talks about the importance of storytelling and shared experiences in shaping the camp's legacy. To celebrate, F&W will be collecting 85 stories from campers, staff, alumni, and community members. "I am so excited about what the next 85 years is going to hold for us," W says, pointing to a future filled with the same spirit of growth, community, and resilience that has marked Timberlake's past. Camp in many ways feels like it always has: campers are still building structures, making campfires, doing chores, and caring for farm animals.

The Future of Timberlake: Sustainability and Inclusion

Looking forward, Timberlake remains committed to sustainability and inclusivity, key components of its mission to grow good humans. Initiatives aimed at fostering a deeper connection with nature and ensuring that the camp is a welcoming space for all are at the forefront of Timberlake's plans for the future. Timberlake, and the rest of Farm & Wilderness, is exploring partnerships with schools to bring new campers into the fold and thinking deeply about the effects of climate change on the property long term to keep Timberlake thriving well into the future.

Final Thoughts

Timberlake stands as a beacon of growth, community, and resilience—a place where campers and staff alike can learn, thrive, and contribute to a legacy that goes beyond outdoor activities. W’s conversation with Clarissa not only celebrates Timberlake's past and present but also looks towards a future where the camp continues to evolve while staying true to its core values. As Timberlake looks to the next 85 years, it does so with the intention of building more than fires—it aims to build strong, compassionate, and thoughtful campers and staff alike.

Learn more about Timberlake by checking out their Instagram, @BigbellTL. Also be sure to check out the episode below, subscribe to our podcast, or listen to the teaser!

Timberlake Director "W" Speaks at two conferences and is inspired by one session in particular!

Columbus takes great pride in its Buckeyes, and Harrisonburg eagerly anticipates its first Bu-cees. While it wasn't my initial visit to Ohio or Virginia, it marked the first time I truly immersed myself in either state. I had the privilege of speaking at two American Camp Association (ACA) conferences: the Ohio Camp Conference and the Mid-Atlantic Camp Conference. Both events provided an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow camp professionals, reflect on summer 2024, and showcase the incredible work of Farm & Wilderness. 

Thoughts from the Road: Camp Conferences in Virginia and Ohio  

I have attended our "home turf" camp conference, the New England Camp Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire, multiple times, and spoke for the first time at the conference last spring. With nearly 800 professionals from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, it offers a diverse mix of camps. Visiting the Ohio and Virginia conferences felt akin to joining someone else's family reunion. Ohio boasted around 140 attendees, and the Mid-Atlantic had about 60, making them smaller and more intimate than what I'm accustomed to. Participants at both conferences remarked on my travels, with Ohioans noting the flatness of their state compared to Vermont and Virginians inquiring about the snow in Vermont. I was warmly received at both conferences, engaging in fascinating conversations throughout. 

Thoughts from the Road: Camp Conferences in Virginia and Ohio  

One session stands out and will be in my thoughts for a while. Carolyn Shuyler, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma who oversees a non-profit nature play and discovery center, delivered a keynote at the Mid-Atlantic conference titled "Nature as Co-Counselor." Initially, I wondered if the session would be relevant to Farm & Wilderness, given our core identity rooted in rugged outdoor living. Shuyler delved into the science of how nature influences our mood and outlook on life after starting with a few generic nature quotes. I found her exploration of why nature doesn't induce mental fatigue, unlike Zoom, captivating. According to Shuyler, it's because of a constant "soft fascination" with the nature around us. What resonated most was her assertion that "every child deserves nature connectedness." Simple, powerful, and very Farm & Wilderness-esque. She linked the development of nature connectedness to relationships, emphasizing that it's a connection built over time. Shuyler even shared research indicating that a person's sense of nature connection is four times more predictive of perceiving life as worthwhile than socioeconomic status. I was fully hooked. 

Her session, well-timed, connected various thoughts I've been having. One concerns the impact of climate change on Vermont, my home for several years. I've been pondering how Farm & Wilderness can further prepare our campers and staff for the future while being good neighbors in central Vermont. Although campers and staff live close to the land, I wonder what more we could be doing. Another consideration is Farm and Wilderness Conservation (FWC), the part of F&W managing our protected land, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, and engaging the surrounding community in educational events. Since its inception in 2022, we've been exploring ways to connect their work with our camps authentically and intentionally. Sustainability- and conservation-focused activities sometimes struggle to compete with traditional camp activities like rope swinging, building campfires, ax swinging, or goat milking. Despite being essential and existential work, it has yet to find a permanent place in our camps, given the numerous competing priorities. 

Integrating Sustainability and Conservation in our Camps 

Shuyler's session offers a potential path forward, leveraging existing Farm & Wilderness strengths to integrate FWC, conservation, and sustainability. Our programming emphasizes camper self-awareness, agency, and growth through learning skills like carpentry and rock climbing, contributing to the community through chores, and the crucial silent meeting time where campers simply sit in nature. Shuyler's compelling case underscores that positive affinity for nature is vital in fostering a connection and, ultimately, the urge to protect nature, beyond just learning the science. Noticing nature can cultivate a kinship view of the world, where we don't merely venture "into" nature, but rather, we are nature. A few initial ideas for this summer include: 

• Incorporating arts programs to create clay faces for trees, promoting deep nature awareness in a playful way. 
• Expanding Independence Day celebrations in session one to underscore our interdependence with nature. 
• Allowing cabins to spend some rest hours lying in the forest instead of their bunks. 

These ideas represent just the beginning of a deeper and intentional integration in our camps. In my many years here, I've learned that such a connection doesn't stem from a one-off discussion or activity—it needs to be part of the camp's rhythm. I'm eager to make this happen this summer 

Final Thoughts 

Conferences can be hit-or-miss experiences. Some sessions are incredibly banal, while others are fascinating. Some camps and organizations are better aligned with our mission than others, and some conversations can be about the weather or the future of camps itself. These conferences were no exception. However, I almost neglected to mention my own talks! I spoke at both conferences on how to teach and systematize behavior management skills at camp. A passion of mine that is rooted in my time as a special educator, I firmly believe that teaching staff many, many management tools results in less yelling, reduced stress, and ultimately, the creation of epic experiences for campers. In a time when schools are embracing Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Mental, Emotional, Social Health frameworks (MESH), and trauma-informed practices, our work at Timberlake and Farm & Wilderness contributes to that conversation. The audiences were fantastic and we look forward to supporting other educational organizations in the future. 

On a final note, I may not comprehend Ohio's fascination with Buckeyes (apologies, Ohio!), but I wholeheartedly understand the obsession with Bu-cees. It's a colossal gas station destination, roughly the size of a Walmart, prevalent in the South. I always make it a point to visit one during the holidays in Texas, wandering the aisles of beaver-themed items (its mascot), the wall of beef jerky, the enticing aroma of their BBQ, and peculiar home goods. During my last visit, I couldn't resist acquiring a 6-foot tall inflatable beaver with a Santa hat—it will undoubtedly make an appearance at a Timberlake All-Camp-Game! Stay tuned for more blogs on future conferences, our work in the education space, and Season 2 of our podcast! 

W

Director of Camps, Director of Camp Timberlake

TL’s Russell Horowitz Attains Pathfinder Status with a Waterfront Pavilion Project

By Adair Arbor and Jarod Wunneburger

“Going big” on epic challenges is part of Timberlake’s culture and its legacy. Nowhere is this element more plainly seen than in its ratings system, which allows campers to choose to pursue bonus challenges in various activity areas to test their skills. At the very apex of the traditional Ratings system is the mystical, nearly unachievable level: the legendary Pathfinder. About once a decade, a brave, dedicated camper reaches this goal, and this year, we are proud to welcome Russell Horowitz to the TL Pathfinder level!

What does it take to achieve Pathfinder? To start, it takes dedication from practically day one. To be eligible to become a Pathfinder, a camper must first achieve every other rating possible in every single activity area. With six activity areas and a beginner, intermediate, and expert rating possible for every activity, this is a years-long commitment. “The camper really has to set out to take this on as a nine-year-old,” says Jarod “W” Wunneberger, Timberlake director. 

Once moving through all of the ratings, the potential Pathfinder must complete an epic capstone project that serves the community. These projects are ultimately anonymous--not signed or noted in any way—and they are often very important elements of Timberlake’s infrastructure that thousands of campers go on to enjoy. A few examples of Pathfinder projects at TL include the stairs in Ken’s Lodge and Ziggurat, the seating in front of the Upper Lodge. 

Russell Horowitz, now 15, was one of those extra special campers with his eyes on the prize from the start. He came for full summers, committed to completing every rating. Back in summer of 2022, he spoke to W about his desire to complete his Pathfinder project, and the planning began. W suggested that what camp needed most was a waterfront project. Russell and his dad came out last May to walk the property with Jay Kullman, Sustainable Resource Director, and they settled on a plan to create a waterfront pavilion. 

Russell came out in June to get started with his project while summer staff were still in training. Over the course of the summer, he disassembled an unusable cabin at the edge of the lake and transformed it into a covered platform with no walls to provide a gathering space for waterfront time. 

Jon Schoder, an F&W alumnus, served as Russell’s guide this summer in his pursuit of Pathfinder. Schoder rearranged his whole summer in order to be on-site, in Russel’s cabin, as his mentor and coach, helping him work through road bumps and schedule work times. 

Russell poured his heart and soul into his work, all summer long, through storms and a major flood and through the norovirus outbreak. By the end of the summer, he was left with only one final step: to attach metal roofing, which was on backorder. Timberlake celebrated his major accomplishment as a community in a beautiful closing ceremony, and he made plans to come back to camp for a day in November to finish the roof. Schoder some Timberlake staff, and campers joined him on November 10th to work and celebrate as the final pieces were placed: the old cabin plaques from the original Wolves cabin. 

Now, during general swim, campers will be able to come together in the pavilion as they dry off from a dip in Woodward Reservoir. It will be a great rainy day space, which we learned this summer is crucial! Opportunities for future ratings-related projects will be opened because of the pavilion as well, like building furniture for the gathering space, or adding more intricate woodwork to the railings. 

We are so proud of Russell for staying committed to his goal through extra-challenging circumstances, and so thankful to John Schoder for serving as his advocate and cheerleader. Russel’s hard work and dedication will now continue to serve the Timberlake community for many years. 

Russell now joins the very short list of legendary TL Pathfinders! 

Other known Pathfinders include: 

Philip Berkman

Benjamin Botvinick

David Edward

Marc Hempel

Julian Jonas

Michael Lowenthal

John Palmer

Philip Resor

Michael Warburton

Daniel Wolfson (who visited TL this summer!)