February is here. This is the month that brings us Spring Training! So, since baseball is the sport of the summer, February really does
signal the approach of summer, and we’re very excited about that. So when you hear that pitchers and catchers are reporting to camp, just remember that not too much further down the road, we’ll all be reporting to camp! How great is that?!You have got to take a look at the brand-new Camp Tour Page on our website! It will amaze you!! AARON ZEMACH (one of our amazing counselors) has been working on it for us since the winter holidays – taking time during his busy days as a student at Washington University, and you just gotta see it! CHECK IT OUT! You’ll notice the incredible artwork for the camp map, and that was done by Assistant Director, RICK JONES, in all his free time between classes as a high school art teacher in Indianapolis. We’ve been planning and working on this for quite a long time, and this summer we’ll be adding photos of the cabins – inside and out – as well as lots of other views to really help new families get a feel for the layout of camp. Please have a look, and tell your friends!
Over the past several months, we have been logging the miles getting around the country to have reunions and meet new camp families. Just for fun, we figured out that, between Michael Breen and I, we have flown nearly 29,000 miles for camp reunions and to meet new folks too. So many flights and airports, so many miles, so many great families and kids. We’re happy we can get around to see everyone, and it is surely paying off. We have some great new kids coming to camp, and so far, we have campers coming for the first time from several new cities. We believe that it is important to maintain as diverse a geographic representation at camp as we can because we know it is good for the campers. Making lifelong friendships with kids who live close by is great, but forming those friendships with kids who live across the country is just awesome! We know this past month camp kids were visiting other camp kids in different cities for Bar Mitzvah celebrations, and we love hearing about that! That’s what makes our world go ‘round!!
Our reunions this past month were awesome! The reunion schedule is winding down with just 3 remaining in February. We had some long-distant travelers last month when RYAN COHEN, SAMMY DRAZNER, and BEN FELDMAN flew in from Chicago to join the Houston Reunion. Towards the end of the month, Michael Breen was in Dallas for a camp fair, and he was able to join in the celebration party for JAKE MAZOW’s Bar Mitzvah. And while in Denver, I was treated to a Nuggets basketball game courtesy of CORRIE HITCHENS. We were joined by her hubby, HITCH, as well as BRIAN STRAIN and DEBBIE PURCELL. The Nuggets won, by the way.
We have openings in almost all of our age groups in both sessions. Some age groups have filled up already, and both sessions are at or above 90% booked up. We really appreciate the enthusiasm from all of you. Welcome back to the following “old-timers” who have re-enrolled in the past month: ADAM WASSERMAN of Deerfield, IL; JACK REED of Nashville, TN; JAKE HOFFMAN of Dallas, TX; and AARON JAFFE and ADAM and BEN KRAMER of Highland Park, IL, and BRANDON GOMEL of Bellaire, TX.
And welcome aboard to the following new campers who will join us this summer: LUCAS GOTTSHALL of Glencoe, IL; ETHAN BECKMAN of Columbus, OH; AARON HOFFMAN of Dallas, TX; SCOTT GOLD and ALEXANDER KUPERMAN of Houston, TX; CHARLIE KENDALL of Winnetka, IL; BEN LITMAN of Denver, CO; and BRETT MILLER of Omaha, NE. Glad to have you all with us! It’s gonna be a crazy, fun summer!
YO PARENTS! It’s that fun time of year when we ask for the 2nd deposit for your son(s). We have sent you all emails with a 2nd Deposit Invoice attached, and you can also download it from your Parent Keylog Page. Payment is due by March 1st. We have also posted all charges on your statements, which you can view anytime online. And, if you are unclear about some charges, we have also posted the updated Billing Information sheet on your Parent Keylog Page. Of course, you can certainly feel free to call us or email us if you have questions. Air travel information for campers who will be flying to camp will be made available to you by the end of this month. We’ll post it on your Parent Keylog page and send you an email about that. Kids from Chicago and Milwaukee will be on a chartered coach bus to camp, and we’ll mail that information out to everyone well before your kids are ready to head north.
Whenever we post new information to your Parent Keylog Page, there will be a small icon next to that link that looks like this:
. So as you periodically login to your Parent Keylog Page, have a look for that little logo, and you’ll know what new forms or information have been posted.
PARENTS OF CITS: CITs start on June 11th, so their travel-to-camp date is June 10th. CITs from Chicago will have a van available to transport them to camp on June 10th. CITs from all other cities will fly into Minneapolis, and we’ll have our staff there to greet them and drive them to camp.
YO CAMPERS: Our 2012 Trips Calendar is now online! It is still early, so there could be a few small changes here and there, but it is up and it is awesome! A few notes:
1. Our grand-daddy trips are back to full length this year. We know we’ve got a camp-full of guys who have demonstrated a strong interest in getting “out there,” so we’re giving you all that chance. That means that our longer Isle Royale Backpack trip (1st Session) is back to 10 days in length. What a great chance to explore the biggest island in the biggest lake in the world…Lake Superior! And 2nd session, the Quetico Canoe Trip (The Canadian!) is back to 12 days long. If you are qualified for these trips, you really should take advantage of these awesome opportunities. When and where else will you get to do this?
2. Remember, the only trips for which there is a charge include the trips to Isle Royale, Quetico Provincial Park, the Sand River, and the Apostle Islands Sea Kayaking. Those are also the only trips that you can pre-register for if you wish. Pre-registration is not required, but is a good idea to secure your spot on the trip, provided that you are, or will be, eligible for the trip based on the trips you have completed ahead of time. If you wish to pre-register for a trip, click here, then click on “Trips Info”, and then on “Advanced Registration.” If you have any questions, please call or email us.
YO OLD GUYS: If you are in 8th or 9th grade this school year, we are planning to have you serve as a camp “Big Brother” to a new camper this summer. We’ll try to pair everyone up if we can, and we’ll also try to pair as many from the same city as we can. We ask Big Brothers to call (not text or email, please!) their Little Brothers, introduce themselves, and offer to answer any questions that your Little Bro might have about camp. Some guys are even able to get together before camp and talk for a bit, which is awesome! If you would prefer NOT to be a Big Brother, we need to know that as soon as possible. You can email or call us, and that’s perfectly fine. There is no obligation whatsoever, but we think it is a fun thing to be a part of, and we know it really helps our new guys out. Thanks very much.
Once again, things are shaping up for a HUGE return of staff from last summer. It is truly amazing how loyal our staff is, and how much they LOVE spending their summer with you awesome campers! Welcome back to the following returning staff members:
SARAH DAVIDSON: After a summer’s absence, Sarah is returning for her 2nd summer at camp. Originally from Appleton, WI and finishing her studies in Biology at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, she spends time working with the Boy Scouts of American helping to establish troops on Native American reservations. Sarah is very excited to put her years of practicing yoga into high gear as the director of our Yoga program. She will be 24 this summer.
DESIREE HEINEN: An true jet-setter, originally from Muenster, Germany and currently volunteering and studying Development Studies in the Philippines, we’re very excited to have Desi back for her 2nd summer after missing camp in 2011. Desi is beyond excited to come back to camp and is looking forward to directing our Digital Photography program. Desi is 26 years old.
MATT KEARNEY: Let’s all rejoice in welcoming back the “Korndog” for summer number 4 at camp. At 24 years old, Matt is the head of the English department for the high school in Ashland, WI. Matt will be joining us once again as a cabin counselor and the director of our Golf program.
JOVAN MCGEE: We’re thrilled that elementary school teacher Jovan will be joining us for his 9th summer at camp. Having grown up in Minnesota, Jovan has wised up and spends his winters in the warmer locale of Pompano Beach, FL. Jovan will be a cabin counselor and staying plenty busy directing our Gymnastics and Tennis programs. He turns the big 3-0 during the summer.
DEBBIE PURCELL: From Aurora, CO, Debbie is very proud to be spending her 10TH SUMMER at Camp Timberlane. She works as an assistant director at a before and after school program; she is also an ILC (special needs) para-educator, a program manager for corporate events for children, and a cooking instructor on weekends teaching kids how to cook—whew, busy! This summer, Debbie will be joining us as one of our office managers.
COLBY SHARLIN: Spending summer number 11 with us, 20 year old Colby, originally from Buffalo Grove, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Colby is taking a light course load, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and will be returning again as a cabin counselor and co-heading up our Waterskiing program, while also helping out with Fishing, Arts & Crafts, Swimming, and Ropes Course programs.
BRIAN STRAIN: 30 year old Brian will be joining us for his 11th summer at Camp Timberlane. Originally from Centennial, CO, Brian currently works at Cimarron Elementary School in Aurora, CO teaching computer classes to 2nd, 3rd and 5th graders. He also works as one of the skilled Zamboni drivers and as the DJ for a local ice rink. Brian will again be our Fishing director and, the role he was born to play, our Junior Village Director.
LAWRENCE TOYE: Lawrence is a 22 year old from the United Kingdom, spending his 2nd summer with us. He is currently volunteering his time in Bangladesh (WOW!) and is very much looking forward to returning to us as a cabin counselor and our Archery director.
JEREMY TUBBS: Jeremy is in his freshman year at the University of Missouri. Originally from St. Louis, MO, Jeremy is looking forward to spending his 10th SUMMER at camp!! Jeremy will be a cabin counselor and assisting our Baseball, Fishing, Golf, and Weight Lifting programs. He will be 19 years old this summer.
MAX WEINTRAUB: Originally from St. Louis, MO, Max is looking forward to his 6th summer at
Timberlane. He is completing his sophomore year at the University of Arizona and will once again be directing our Basketball program, in addition to being a cabin counselor. Max is 20 years old. SCOTT WOLF: 20 year old Scott Wolf will be returning to Timberlane for his 11th summer. Originally from Highland Park, IL, Scott is currently a sophomore at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he is double-majoring in Theatre and Psychology. He will be joining us once more as the director of Athletics and a cabin counselor.
AARON ZEMACH: A sophomore at Washington University of St. Louis and the unofficial website guru for Camp Timberlane, 20 year old Aaron will be joining us for his 10th SUMMER at camp!! Aaron, originally from Deerfield, IL, is studying Computer Science and Writing in school; in fact, as an undergraduate, he is already a Teaching Assistant for some of the classes the university offers. He will again be a cabin counselor and directing our Ropes Course program.
With so many returning folks, you know we can be EXTRA CHOOSY when we select the few new folks who will joni us this summer. We’re on a roll so far! Say hello to the following new staff members who will join us this summer:
SAM GILBERT: Completing his sophomore year at Indiana University, we are excited to welcome Sam as the newest addition to our Trip Leader staff. Originally from Evanston, IL and majoring in Outdoor Education, at 20 years old Sam has had experience working as a counselor as a nature reserve in Evanston and an animal reserve in Africa! He has extensive experience climbing, backpacking, and canoeing; his goal for the summer is, “to show the campers how wonderful nature can be. I know from my past the great impression a counselor or leader can have on kids and I hope to create a fun and open environment for them throughout the summer.”
WILLIAM HALE: All the way from the United Kingdom, we’re excited to introduce you to 21 year old William Hale. Will is currently studying Media, Culture, and Society at Northumbria University. He has been playing soccer (sorry Will, we meant football) and tennis since he was 7 and guitar since he was 10; he is looking forward to helping us in all of these programs this summer.
SARAH KEARNEY: Currently a 20 year old sophomore at Carrol University, Sarah is studying Exercise Science and is planning on a career in physical therapy. Sarah is actively involved with the Big Brother/Big Sister program and has been playing competitive volleyball for years, even coaching summer leagues. Sarah will be joining us as our Volleyball Director. Oh, and if the name sounds familiar, that’s right—Sarah grew up in Neenah, WI and is Matt Kearney’s sister!
BRIDGET MASUR: Soon to be 19 years old, and completing her freshman year at Indiana University, we’re excited to welcome Bridget to Camp Timberlane. Originally from Indianapolis, Bridget lives to climb, having gone on several climbing trips and spending several hours a week in the climbing gym—she is thrilled to work as a Rock Climbing instructor this summer.
In St. Louis, BEN and DAVID TAMSKY are both playing hockey, as are ARI SINGER and ZACHARY ZLEPPER. SAM KAHN is trying out for his high school tennis team. MAX GOLDENBERG hit the road to Chicago at the end of last month to help celebrate MICHAEL NATINSKY’S Bar Mitzvah up in Chicago. Congrats, Michael! JACK LYNCH made the trip from St. Louis to Dallas to help JAKE MAZOW celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. Congrats, Jake! More Bar Mitzvah congrats to JARED MARGOLIS who celebrated last month in Houston, and to JOSEPH FIELDS who is from Houston, but celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Israel! Wow! Also in Houston, SAM KAGAN participated in a Quiz Bowl. JOEY BURSTEN is still alive, eating kolaches, and did a
little snow boarding over vacation. JAKE STEIN is enjoying his new school, which is an international school. He’s learning Spanish and playing tennis. JEFFREY GOLD is playing soccer and will start tennis in the spring. He took a cruise to Cozumel and did some snorkeling over the holidays. HAYDEN TURK is playing basketball, and over the holidays he went to LA and took in a Lakers-Knicks game. JAKE MELTZER is playing basketball and accidentally wore a Bengals jersey on the day of the Texans-Bengals wildcard game. Oops. JONAH ROSENBERG is playing soccer. BEN SPIER is playing soccer. BEN ROBERTS is playing soccer. GARRETT GLOVER is playing….wait for it….basektball, and baseball starts soon. JOSEPH TRUJILLO ran cross country in the fall and got to spend some time in San Diego after camp. In Denver, JACK KNUETTEL is playing basketball, some video games, and has been snowboarding. PARKER DAWSON is playing hockey and his team is in first place and he’s the 3rd leading goal scorer. ALEX WISE has been playing some video games and been shooting rifles and pistols at a shooting range. In Boulder, BEN GOELZ has been riding his bike to school and rock climbing a lot at a local gym. Milwaukee finds AARON GLAZER busy playing in a BBYO basketball league with BEN LEVEY (his team’s captain), GABE SENNETT, and “old-timer” JOEY WERNER. Aaron has also been announcing basketball games at his high school and playing some tennis. In Chicago, SAMMY DRAZNER is wrestling at the 113 pound weight class. BEN FELDMAN finished football season, and he’s just hanging out now. A few guys from last summer’s Navajo cabin group of 2nd session had a mini-reunion and caught a movie together, including ZACH ORLOWSKY, EZRA WALLON, BLAKE BERKOWITZ, DANIEL ENGEL, TAYLOR FRISHMAN, BRANDON TUCKER, RYAN GALOWICH, and DUSTIN EPSTEIN, along with counselors RYAN WAGNER and RYAN COHEN. Video of the encounter can be seen at this link. 
We mentioned that several of our US and European counselors got together in the UK over the winter holidays. Fortunately, someone thought to snap some photos, so we’re happy to see the happy camp people enjoying their time together. In St. Louis, AARON ZEMACH is busy auditioning new members for the school’s comedy improv group called The Suspicious of Whistlers. In Indianapolis, our congratulations go to HANNAH JONES who received her appointment to West Point Military Academy by one of her state’s two senators. Hannah will begin at West Point this June. Getting in is an amazing feat in and of itself, and we know great things are on the horizon for Hannah. Not far away, in Bloomington, IN, EMILY JONES just led a group of students from Indiana University on a cross country ski trip to Michigan. She continues her studies in Outdoor Education. JACOB LURIE is spending the semester “studying” in Italy. He’ll be based in Florence, but will manage to mix in some traveling in with his studies. In Chicago, JAKE BURSTYN is busy with school, and over the holidays he took a trip to Houston and saw several camp guys at the Houston Texans last regular season football game. In Phoenix, ROSS KRULISKY is playing varsity soccer for his high school team. Tucson finds DUSTY COHEN accepted to UW-Madison, and waiting to hear from a few other schools. In Houston, SAM SPIER is playing soccer and getting a car! CAMERON CAVALIER is playing basketball, will play baseball this spring, and gets his driver’s license this month!! JOSEPH KUPERMAN just got his driver’s license last month. JACK KAPLAN is playing soccer and will get his driver’s license in June. RYAN EISENMAN is having a great time at Vanderbilt where he was rowing crew and pledged a fraternity. He also got to do some skiing in Colorado. JEREMY SUTTON is applying to study abroad next year…’cause Canada just ain’t far enough. He’s loving life at McGill University in Montreal. In South Africa, KATHY LEVERTON just led a 9 day trip with a school group that included some hearty hiking over the mountains. She’s back home for a week before her next trip!
The Juice
A special section from Michael Breen 
I have decided to start the FCDA. And, the founding members of the Future Camp Directors of America will be Will Coen, Zach Zlepper, Ari Singer, and Charlie Smoller. This past weekend I attended the Summer Opportunities Fair in St. Louis and was proud to have the founding members of the FCDA join me throughout the day. Whenever an interested family stopped by the Timberlane booth, I was sure to keep quiet and allow the FCDA speak to the prospective camper and parents about why they loved camp. There was no question they could not answer. And, every answer was delivered with great detail and enthusiasm. I was one proud CCDA (Current Camp Director of America). And, the more they spoke, the more I realized why these boys would make great camp directors one day—PASSION! In every answer, it was clear that each boy had great passion for every facet of camp. In fact, now that I think about it, if passion for camp is a requirement for being in the FCDA I would like to revise my former statement: I would like to invite you ALL to become founding members of the FCDA! In every cheer, every canoe paddle, every lazy breakfast omelet, the passion you boys have for camp is something that brings tremendous joy to us counselors and continues to stoke the passion of us CCDA. Funny thing is so many of you are already so qualified…we love hearing from new families about the way you guys talk about camp with them. Gets you right here (hand over heart). AANSJTW (Alright, And Now Some Juice To Wheeze):
· It is second session casino night and Mike Cohen and Scotty Breen had been struggling in previous summers to reclaim their Top Gun Challenge volleyball title. One couldn’t help but feel bad watching Mike and Scotty eat pounds and pounds of sand in their previous attempts to reclaim their title. And then, like the ’68 Jets, ’80 USA Hockey, ’07 Giants, an underdog miracle occurred—you cheer along with the massive crowd as the underdogs squeeze out one more glorious victory to add to their illustrious casino night volleyball careers.
· You stare in awe as you watch the UN Day opening ceremonies. You can’t believe your eyes as you gaze upon one of the most incredible sights: a choreographed dance…scratch that, a choreographed ribbon dance of the Sam Kahns. Both Sam Kahn camper and counselor perform a perfectly synchronized dance that brings the entire camp community to tears of laughter!
-Michael Breen
BRAVO TO OUR FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BOYS & GIRLS: Max Pugh - 2/1/2001, Garrett Shuman - 2/2/1999, Josh Taylor - 2/5/1992, Jackson Pawlan - 2/6/2001, Heather Tillman - 2/7/1973, Max Glickman - 2/8/1997, Chad Byler - 2/9/1987, Cameron Cavalier - 2/9/1996, Sammy Drazner - 2/10/1997, Mike Dumencic - 2/10/1989, Gabriel Adler - 2/14/2001, Aleksandra Aleksandrowicz - 2/14/1988, Megan Hager - 2/14/1984, Jack Lynch - 2/15/1999, David Ringel - 2/15/1997, Ben Remis - 2/16/2000, Daniel Feldman - 2/17/2000, Dillon Gross - 2/17/1998, Eric Thompson - 2/17/1999, Zach Walden - 2/17/2000, Keshav Krishnan - 2/18/1999, Will Hale - 2/19/1990, Desi Heinen - 2/19/1986, Daniel Engel - 2/20/1998, Jared Liebman - 2/20/1996, Ethan Glasberg - 2/23/1999, Jack Gomberg - 2/23/1996, Sam M Kahn - 2/23/1989, Casey Mutchnik - 2/25/2001, Nick Hamburger - 2/26/1998, Grayson Sheena - 2/26/1998, Charlie Deer - 2/28/1999, Jack Polston - 2/28/1996 Have a fantastic, February, y’all. Keep in touch and please send us any news we can write about you for the March issue. Thanks!
Benches up,
