Timber Lake West will email you lots of correspondence in order to ensure you are prepared for the summer that lies ahead, however, included here are various tips and hints from former counselors, so that you can gain a better understanding of what you will need and an idea of general camp life.

You will receive a manual for new staff, which contains information about

• Clothing lists
• Orientation
• Days off

Here we will go into further details about these aspects of camp life:

Q1: Where is Camp Located?
Q2: How Long Do the Campers Stay?
Q3: How Do I Get to Camp?
Q4: What Is The Weather Like? 
Q5: What Should I Bring to Camp?
Q6: What Should I Expect of Orientation?
Q7: How do Days Off / Nights Off Work and Where Can I Go?
Q8: How Much Money Should I Plan on Spending?
Q9: What Other Hints Do You Suggest?

Where is Camp Located?

Timber Lake West is located in Roscoe, NY, in the Catskill Mountains. We are approximately 2.5 hours northwest of New York City and 3 hours from Philadelphia.

How Long Do the Campers Stay?

Each session at Timber Lake West is FOUR WEEKS. All of the campers come together and go home together. Each session has a different set of campers.

How Do I Get to Camp?

By Plane or by Bus: The Short Line Bus Company run several buses daily to Roscoe, NY. You can reach the Short Line Bus Company at 201/529-3666 or 800/631-8405. The buses run from the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 41st Street and 8th Avenue in New York City (Manhattan). The charge is approximately $35 one-way.

Once you arrive in Roscoe you can call the camp at 845/439-4440 to be picked up. Make sure to use the 845 area code if you are phoning from Roscoe. We will send a van to pick you up. Please advise our Office in advance of your travel plans so that we can more easily coordinate your pick up time.

By Car: Take the New York State Thruway (I-87) to Exit 16 (Harriman). Proceed west on the Quickway (Route 17) to Exit 94 (Roscoe). At the Roscoe Diner turn right (East) onto Old Route 17 and proceed two miles. Make a left turn onto Burnt Hill Road. Go approximately three miles, stay straight at both forks and follow the road into camp.

What Is The Weather Like? 

Mornings and evenings may be cool, while the daytime temperatures are usually in the 70’s and 80’s.

What Should I Bring to Camp?

The clothing list above gives you a good basis for deciding what to bring to camp. However, it is essential to remember various things including:

• You will be supplied with 6 staff shirts – 3 red and 3 gray, which are worn every day from clean up through dinner.
• The weather can change dramatically from sunshine one day to being cold and raining another day, with evenings and nights dropping to cooler temperatures. Therefore, bring clothes that will cover all weather conditions.
• For evening activities, casual clothing will be required depending on what activity your are doing such as jeans, sweatpants, long sleeve tops, sweatshirts and jackets.
• Through color war, everyone will either be place on the red or white team and will be required to wear their teams color – so make sure you have a couple of red and white items of clothing (red staff shirts can be worn).
• You may want to bring items a little dressier as there is a prom at the end of each session and various socials throughout the summer.
• You may want smart / casual clothes for days and nights off, depending on what you decide to do.
• Take enough clothes to last up to at least 10 days. Although laundry won’t be your top priority, you will need enough clothes to keep you clean and fresh until you can sort your laundry.

What Should I Expect of Orientation?

After arriving at camp you will complete a week of orientation, which will cover all aspects of camp and what will be expected of you in your role as a counsellor. This also gives you an opportunity to get to know the other counselors and staff. Orientation will give you some useful advice in order to deal with various situations you may come across at camp.

Orientation can also give you a chance to pick up all the necessary items you will need for the summer or were unable to bring with you. There is generally a trip to Wal Mart, which stocks everything from food, clothing and toiletries. It is advisable to take smaller sizes of toiletries to reduce luggage weight and buy more when you arrive at camp. Other items you may wish to purchase once you’ve settled at camp include:

• Bedding – sheets, blankets
• Laundry detergent
• Flash lights
• Water

If it’s your night off, you will be free from after evening activity until 12:30 am. You will have a variety of options available to you of what to do, including

• Shopping
• Movies
• Going to get something to eat
• The bar (transportation will be provided for staff members 21 year of age and older) – remember though once you arrive back in camp, you are back on duty and must be able to function if an emergency arises.

Staff may just want to stay in camp and relax.  Staff can use the staff lounge to watch videos and use the computer facilities.

All staff must be back on camp and in their bunk by 12:30am.

All staff members have 7 days off over the summer which run from 9:00pm the day before until 12:30am on your day off. This is your free time, so take advantage of it. You can stay in camp but remember camp life will still go on around you. Many counselors will leave camp for the night and stay in a motel, go out for the evening, go to the movies or out for a meal etc. The next day can be spent shopping, at local beaches or lakes, or doing some sight seeing. Ask at the office for other ideas for days off which may include

• New York City
• Cooperstown – the home of the baseball’s hall of fame
• Woodstock
• Woodbury Commons – a discount shopping outlet
• Ithaca  - a college town, home of Cornell University, and Ithaca College

Through the camp season,  you can spend as much money or as little money as you like. However, if you go out on all nights off and spend days off away from camp, extra money will be required.

A motel, for example, can cost anywhere between $60 - $90 a night,  although the number of people sharing the room will share the costs. The money included for transportation, shopping, eating out and going to the movies can all add up so be aware that time off may result in you spending extra money – so budget accordingly.

As much as it’s fun to go out all the time, having plenty of rest before color war breaks is always a good idea. It can be a long and hectic week, with late nights and early mornings.

Be organized – think of ideas before you arrive a camp to get to know your campers, how you can entertain them and ideas for the bunk etc.

Go with a positive attitude, it is hard work but if you put in 100% it will be rewarding and worth every minute.

Talking to returning counselors may also give you insight, so ask for some email addresses, before camp, to find out other peoples views and ideas.

All that’s left to say is you will have a great summer, enjoy it and have lots of fun!!!