Dear Campers, Parents, Staff, Alums & Friends,
We bet there’s plenty of you out there who wish it was summer already. Sure, we know you campers and staff feel that way all the time (and so do we). Joining us in this continuous day-dream and wish would be all of the parents out there living through the crazy deep-freeze that’s grabbed hold over a large chunk of the country, and doesn’t seem to want to let go. Our caretaker up at camp, GREG FUS, is a northwoodsman through and through. He’s in shorts and a tee shirt when the thermometer exceeds 40 degrees. And, he’s not one to complain about the weather much. Except for this year. Camp has seen a ton of days when the actual temperature doesn’t get above 10 
below zero, and the wind chill is much colder. Yikes! The good news is that there are several roofs around camp that have to get shoveled because there’s so much snow that the weight becomes excessive, and if we don’t shovel ‘em, the whole building can come crashing down. Good news (you ask)? Absolutely! The more snow we get, the better for our beloved Lake Towanda. So while it doesn’t thrill Greg that much, we wish for snow and rain all “off-season” long.
In case you had even a slight doubt about camp’s benefits to kids, check out this article posted recently on the ACA website.
For us in the camp biz, January and February are big interview months. We’ve been talking to lots of great folks out there, and fortunately, we’ve got plenty of “old-timers” returning, so we can be very selective in our process of finding the right people to join us. Interviews can be really interesting. Some are done in person, lots of them are done over Skype. When you boil it all down, we are in the “get-to-know-you” process while we interview, and it’s really cool. We get to know some great people, including some great people who may not be right for camp, but are still interesting, smart, accomplished and skilled in their own right. So while the task can be daunting (honestly…it’s one of the most important and impactful things we do), when we look at it as an opportunity to meet and get to know new people, it becomes a much more pleasant and fruitful task.
And, of course, reunions continue, though we are winding down. We had a blast in Denver last month, and we appreciate the hospitality there. This month we finish up with reunions in Tucson and Los Angeles!!
We are down to our last few openings in the 1st session, and we have closed several age groups in the 2nd session as well. We’re happy to welcome back the following “old-timers” who re-enrolled last month: JOEY & JOSH ETTINGER and NOAH FREEMAN of St. Louis, MO; JESSE STOLBERG of Deerfield, IL; MILES GOTTESMAN of Highland Park,IL; and DANIEL & ETHAN ROTHSTEIN of Dallas, TX.
Welcome aboard to the following first-year campers who will join us this summer: DANIEL GREENWALD of Evanston, IL; ROBBIE PETRIE of Glencoe, IL; PARKER ANNAN of Oconomowoc, WI; and EVAN WALDMAN of Northbrook, IL. Y’all are in for one HECK of a summer!
YO PARENTS: Last summer we were the first Wisconsin camp authorized to employ electronic charting in our Infirmary. Those of you with us last summer recall we used the CampDoc system. It went very well, though there were a few glitches. Well, we thank you for being the test group. The system has been re-worked and improved, and this summer we’ll use it again. Our state director of Food Safety and Recreational Licensing was so impressed with everything that they have spread the authorization state wide for other camps to take advantage of. We’re kinda proud of that. From the CampDoc website you will access all of the medical forms we require, fill them out, and submit them. And if you were with us last year, your data is still all there. Just make any changes that may be appropriate, and click submit. Boom! You’re done!!
NEW FOR 2014: CampDoc has partnered with a pharmacy that will fill all prescriptions for regularly-scheduled, pill-form medications. So right there in the Health History form, where you tell us what medications your son will take (if any) at camp, you can order the medications, and they will deliver them straight to camp before your son’s arrival. We’ll repeat this a few dozen times, but please know that we only require use of our selected pharmacy if your son will take regularly-scheduled meds that are in pill form. So as-needed meds of any kind do not have to go through our pharmacy. You can just send ‘em up. Liquid medication, inhalers, also do not have to go through our pharmacy. You can send those up too. We know this process has had it’s frustrations for some families in the past. This is a new company for us, and we have high hopes they will be efficient and easy to work with. We do this to help eliminate the possibility of our medical staff making errors in dispensing the large quantity of medications for which they are responsible during the summer, so we thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience. More about this in the weeks ahead.
LET’S TALK CAMPER AIR TRAVEL: We are using Sojourn Travel Service again this year. And it’s sooo easy. You just login to their 
website, check out the flights we have arranged for your city, read the Unaccompanied Minor information, and down at the bottom of the page, you click the registration link, and get your camper set for his flights. A few important points to note:
- The longer you wait to book flights, the higher the fare you may pay. It’s supply and demand, folks. Fewer seats available means higher fares. The website is ready….get your son booked on his flights today!!
- If you have special travel arrangements or you have questions, feel free to call our agents. They are Barney Kaminsky and Mary Emmer. WE ASK THAT YOU FIRST COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM BEFORE CONTACTING BARNEY OR MARY. That way they can be prepared to help you much more quickly. To reach them, please email them at camp@sojourntravel.com.
Of course, for those campers from the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, we will have our chartered buses leaving from both areas. All of that information will come to you well ahead of your travel time. If you have any questions, please call or email us.
LET’S TALK TRAVEL FOR CITS: CITs start on June 9th, so their travel-to-camp date is June 8th. CITs from Chicago will have a van available to transport them to camp on June 8th. CITs from all other cities will fly into Minneapolis or the Central Wisconsin Airport in Wausau, and we’ll have our staff there to greet them and drive them to camp. In the event your CIT’s school calendar gets extended for crazy snow and cold and foul weather days, don’t stress. Let us know and we’ll work out a coordinated travel arrangement for those who need it.
LET’S TALK KEYLOG PAGE: Just a little. Your Parent Keylog page is where you can see your financial information, access some non-medical paper work we’ll need from you in the spring, and you can see what forms we’ve received from you and what forms we still need. 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.
YO CAMPERS: It is still a little tentative, as we wait for some permits to be confirmed, but our 2014 Trips Calendar is now online for your review.
- Most trips do not have pre-registration. You can sign up for them after you’re at camp. Exceptions to that include:
1. Isle Royale Backpack Trips: one 1st session, one 2nd session
2. Sand River Canoe Trip: 1st session
3. Quetico Provincial Park Canoe Trip (The Canadian!): 2nd session
4. Apostle Islands Sea Kayak Trips: one 1st session, one 2nd session - Pre-registration for the trips above is open now on our website. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PRE-PAY FOR THESE TRIPS. We will bill you after your son’s session[s] at camp. To pre-register on our website, click “Current Camp Folks,” then “Trips Info,” then “advanced registration” and you’re there. Campers must be qualified for these trips. If you’re not sure, ask your son. We will send you an email soon with your son’s trip history so you can determine which trips he may be eligible for. NEW CAMPERS ARE NOT YET QUALIFIED FOR THE TRIPS ABOVE. Some day, though. Some day.
YO OLD GUYS: If you are in 8th or 9th grade this school year, we are hoping 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.
YO STAFF: Just a few important dates for you to keep in mind.
| WFR Course Begins | |
| May 30 | Lifeguard Training Course Begins |
| May 31 | Trip Leader Training Begins, Kitchen and Maintenance Staff Start |
| June 2 | Steering Committee Starts |
| June 2 | LGT Challenge Recertification Course. |
| June 3 | Boat Driver Training Course Begins |
| June 4 | Rock Climbing Wall Instructor Course Begins |
| June 4 | CPR Challenge and Re-Certification Course |
| June 7 | 1st Year Staff Training Begins |
| June 9 | All-Staff Training Begins |
| June 16 | The Campers Arrive!! Yeeeeehaaaaaa! |
| August 8 | The Campers Depart…..bummer! |
| August 9 | Last Day for Staff Except Kitchen and Maintenance Staff |
| August 11 | Last Day for Kitchen and Maintenance Staff |
We continue to hear from lots of “old-timers” making it back to camp for another incredible summer. Welcome back to the following guys who will be with us again this summer:
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| David is 20 years old, and he is back for his 10th summer at camp! He is from Tucson, AZ and is a sophomore at the University of Arizona studying Sports Sociology. David also coaches JV Football at our high school here. He is an avid weight trainer (have you seen him?) and this summer he will be a cabin counselor and will again head up our Weight Training program, also helping with Cardio, Fishing, and Baketball. | |
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| Scott is returning for his 10th summer at camp! Originally from Northbrook, IL, Scott is a junior at Tulane University in New Orleans, majoring in Economics. He spent last semester studying abroad, and traveling. Scott is 21 years old, and this summer he will again be a cabin counselor and head of Pottery, and he will also take on more leadership as a member of our Steering Committee as a Village Director or PA Director. | |
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| Summer number 11 coming up for Jovan. He is 31 years old and lives in Pompano Beach, FL. where he works as a substitute teacher and a gymnastics coach. Jovan will be a cabin counselor, and he’ll again be a busy guy as he heads up our Gymnastics and Tennis programs. | |
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| Super tall Rich McGowan is back for his 18th summer at camp! Can you believe it?! Rich lives in Tinley Park, IL and works in video production. He is a certified lifeguard and water safety instructor. We are very fortunate to have him back as our Waterfront Director again. Rich will be 42 years old this summer. | |
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| Summer number 10 coming up for Joey! Wow! Joey will be 19 years old, and he is currently a freshman at the University of Arizona, studying business. He is a ski guy, having spent most of his camping days at the ski docks. For the last few years he was co-director of our amazing Timberbat Waterski team, and this year he returns as a cabin counselor and he will now be co-head of the whole Waterski program. | |
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| All the way from the stages at the Boston Conservatory, Matt is back for his 13th summer at camp! Matt is a senior at The Boco, majoring in Musical Theater. He has been involved in several productions this year, and is also working on his music career, launching his own website and releasing original music. This summer Matt will be a cabin counselor, will head up our Guitar program and help out at Waterskiing and Comedy Sportz, and he will also take on a new role as one of our 3 Village Directors. Matt will be 22 years old this summer. | |
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| This will be Lisa’s 2nd summer working with us as one of our RNs. Lisa has just relocated to Charlotte, NC for the winter months, and in the summer she lives just a few minutes away from camp. Lisa has been a nurse in a variety of settings, and she will fill in for us on times when one of our two full-time nurses may be out of camp for days off. | |
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| We are happy to welcome Mike back for his 2nd summer at camp. Mike is 31 years old and hales from Superior, WI. where he works as a chef. Mike joined us last summer as our Lead Cook, and it didn’t take long for us to discover that he is the real deal! He’s a great cook and a wonderful guy to work with. Our kitchen staff is shaping up incredibly well! | |
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| Returning to us from Dunblane, Scotland, Emma is back for her 2nd summer with us. She is in her 3rd year at the University of Dundee college of Art & Design, studying Interior Environmental Design. Emma has studied art throughout her schooling, including for her current major. She is an accomplished artist herself, and this summer she will be our Arts & Crafts Director. Emma is 20 years old. | |
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| Summer number 2 coming up for Katie. She is 24 years old, is from La Crosse, WI and is a senior at UW-Lacrosse, studying Writing & Rhetoric and minoring in Communication Studies. Katie also writes for the weekly student newspaper and is a blogger. (She should be writing this newsletter!) This summer Katie will work in the office and be our town-runner. | |
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| Samantha is back for her 2nd summer with us. She is 19 years old, from Wausau, WI and is preparing to transfer from UW-Osh Kosh to UW-Marathon County this spring. She is a freshman and will be studying Criminal Justice. This summer Samantha will be one of the sitters who play with Liam & Carter Hitchens or Andy Melrose. Samantha has been keeping in touch with camp friends a lot this winter. | |
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| This will be Jeremy’s 12th summer at camp. He will be 21 years old this summer, and he is from St. Louis, MO. Jeremy is a junior at the University of Missouri, majoring in Sociology. He will be a cabin counselor, will again head up our Archery program, and he’ll help out with Weight Training, Baseball, and other activities. | |
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| Making the trip once again from Thrapston, England, James is back for his 4th summer at camp. James will be 24 years old this summer, and he currently works as a Physical Education coach in primary schools near his home. He’s quite “sporty,” and this summer, James will again be a cabin counselor, help out with Gymnastics, Archery, Tennis, Soccer, Waterskiing and more. And we will also welcome James to our Steering Committee as a Village Director. |
MIKE SCLAVI
Some quick math shows that we have another 87 summers of Timberlane experience represented in that list above. Amazing!! And as we continue our extensive outreach and interview process, we are happy to welcome aboard the following new staff members who join us this year:
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| Lance is from right here in Tucson, AZ. He is 20 years old and is a sophomore at the University of Arizona, studying Business. (He took Leslie’s class last semester.) We’ve known Lance a long time. He played basketball throughout his high school years, and helped coach at basketball camps. He was also one of few Tucson kids we knew who actually played hockey! This summer Lance will be a cabin counselor and help with Basketball, Floor Hockey, Soccer, and Athletics. | |
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| From Grants Pass, OR we are joined by Genesta. She will be 19 this summer, and she attends Rogue Community College where she is studying philosophy and business. Genesta has had Yoga in her life since she was a little girl, and she’s very passionate about it. She has been in various Yoga studios and has taught her friends. This summer Genesta will head up our Yoga program, and help out with Swimming and Arts & Crafts. | |
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| Matt joins us all the way from Manchester, England, where is in his first year at the University of Chester studying Computer Science. Matt loves the water, whether swimming or waterskiing, that’s his favorite. He’s also into digital photography and other media studies as part of his curriculum at school. He will be 19 years old this summer, and he will be a cabin counselor, helping out with Waterskiing, Swimming, and Digital Photography. | |
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| Daniel will be 23 years old this summer, and he lives in Israel. He has dual citizenship, and learned about camp while traveling through Argentina, where he happened to bump into a guy named Mike Breen. Daniel is interested in agriculture, and plans to work in crop production. He served in the military as a commander, and was also a participant and ultimately an instructor in a youth movement called “Maccabi Tzair.” Daniel has experience with riflery through his military service, and he has also had a long interest in sailing. This summer he’ll be a cabin counselor, helping with Riflery, Sailing, Basketball and Tennis. | |
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| From Auckland, New Zealand, we welcome Darren, who will be 19 years old this summer. Darren currently works at a hospital and an electronics store at home. He has a wide range of experience in theater and improvisational work, even coaching a “theatresports” team. He also is experienced as a ropes course counselor for high school kids. This summer Darren will be a cabin counselor, will head up our Comedy Sportz program, and assist with Ropes Course and Rock Climbing. |
In Denver, PARKER DAWSON is busy with school, and looking forward to lacrosse season. He played on his high school golf team last fall. DAN SHELANSKY was the only freshman on his high school’s varsity lacrosse team. He was in the stands when the Broncos beat the Chargers. JACK KNUETTEL is busy with school and is playing on his high school’s basketball team. JACKSON TURNER was in Dubai over the holidays and checked out the tallest building in the world. Whoah! Back home he’s been going to school and hanging with his friends. JASON WISE went snowboarding in Snow Mass, and is into ping pong and swimming. DAVID GLAZER is winding up basketball season for his high school team, and getting ready for baseball season to start. In Washington, DC, WILL SEXTER placed first in his age group for free style and back stroke in a recent swim meet. In the Chicago area, ALEX GORDON has a great time over winter 
break on his trip to Costa Rica where he got to go white water rafting, zip lining, kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. Bar Mitzvah congrats go out to ETHAN VICTOR who celebrates early this month.
The college hunt is on for ROSS KRULISKY in Phoenix, who has been accepted to one school so far (U of A Honors College), and is waiting on others. Out in Salt Lake City, UT, JOSH BOLING is a 2nd grade teacher at a charter school. He writes “I never thought anything could be harder than keeping 10 chippewaneans going straight down a river, but keeping 30 2nd graders engaged and interested is definitely challenging.” In the Chicago area, some current staff and “old-timers” got together for a night on the town, including JOEY PAWLAN, DAVID FINE,K SCOTT MAYER, MATT RODIN, SCOTT BREEN, RYAN COHEN, SAM KAHN, JACOB LURIE, COLBY SHARLIN, MIKE BREEN, RYAN ELIAS, JORDY SHARLIN, and SCOTT WOLF. Fun times!
BRAVO TO OUR FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BOYS & GIRL: Calico Alvarez - 2/1/2004, Max Pugh - 2/1/2001, Garrett Shuman - 2/2/1999, Gus Mervis - 2/3/2003, Charlie Herz - 2/4/2004, Justin Parish - 2/4/1995, Massimo D'Agaro - 2/6/2003, Jackson Pawlan - 2/6/2001, Max Glickman - 2/8/1997, Cameron Cavalier - 2/9/1996, Ethan Deutsch - 2/10/2003, Tyler Deutsch - 2/10/2003, Gabriel Adler - 2/14/2001, Jack Lynch - 2/15/1999, David Ringel - 2/15/1997, Connor Fehrenbach - 2/16/1999, Tommy Holland - 2/16/2003, 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, Ashleigh Brown - 2/19/1992, Jack Lembeck - 2/19/2002, Daniel Engel - 2/20/1998, Ethan Glasberg - 2/23/1999, Lorenzo Wilson - 2/23/1992, Casey Mutchnik - 2/25/2001, David Friedland - 2/26/2003, Adrian Gonzalez - 2/26/2002.
More newsy issues are coming ahead. As we get closer to summer, it gets more and more exciting! We’ll write you next month. Have a fun February everyone!!
Benches up,
