Hi!  I’m Jeff (on the right) and I’ve been a camper at TLW for 6 years. I’m pictured here with Josh who is one of my best friends from camp.  When I’m not at camp, I am on my school’s varsity volleyball team and I have a music show on my school’s radio station.  I enjoy being with my friends, taking pictures, and watching movies.  I will be returning to camp this upcoming summer as a junior counselor for both sessions.  I am really looking forward to experiencing camp from another perspective.  I feel that starting out as a camper at Timber Lake West will help me be a successful counselor because I understand what it’s like to be a camper here at this special place.

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Hey everyone! My name is Brian Jacobson; I am 22 years old and currently live in Amherst, NY, originally from Allendale, NJ!

I have been a part of the Timber Lake West family since 2000, when my parents signed me and my twin brother up for the July session. I was scared and nervous; sports and arts & crafts weren’t my “thing” and neither was being away from home for a night (Let alone a month!) But that month at TLW changed my life – I fell in love with my new summer family and for the next six years I continued on as a camper until I decided I wanted to be a counselor!

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Hi! My name is Corey (in the center with tie) – I’m 23 years old and I live In Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. I have been going to Timber Lake West since 2008 where I started out as a General Counselor. This past year I got the opportunity to be a Group Leader. During the 10 months away from Timber Lake West I spend most of my time working hard at a local restaurant.  Ever since I was young, I’ve loved working with kids.  When the opportunity came for me to work at Timber Lake West,  I jumped on it!

These past years spent at TLW have changed me for the better, in ways that no one else could. I’ve been moving up with a group of kids for four years now and I have literally watched them grow into young adults right before my own eyes.   A few years ago, I had the unfortunate experience of losing a close friend of mine, and as with many people who grieve, I struggled hard to find a purpose.   However, returning to West year after year led me to discover that MY purpose has been camp and truly appreciating the impact I have on fostering friendships between the campers, like the one that I had with my friend. Every moment at West is something special and something that I can cherish forever.  At the staff orientation, Jenn, Justin and Cassie tell you that the campers will change your lives forever, whether its with a note, email, or just a thank you for a great summer. And it’s true – there are notes I have on my dresser that campers have given me in past summers, and they serve as a reminder that my campers aren’t just my campers anymore, they are now part of my family. (more…)

My keys hang on a lanyard of beads strung by a 9 year old. Around my wrist are a combination of string friendship bracelets and silly bands. On my car is a bumper sticker that reads “Roscoe Diner.” The desktop background of my computer is a picture of the most comforting lake in the world – Timber Lake West’s lake. My name is Jill, I’m 21 years old and a senior at the University of Maryland. But no matter how old I get, or where I go, the camp bubble is never far away. Not only is my life better for having gone to Timber Lake West, my life is where it is because of West!

I boarded my first bus to Roscoe, NY in 1999 as an 8 year old tom boy with buck teeth. And now, 13 years later, I’m about to graduate college with the hopes of becoming a teacher. I landed on this career path primarily because camp showed me that I have a true passion for children. Plus, education allows me the luxury of going back to my home-away-from-home every summer!  The 10 months of the year I spend away from camp are undoubtedly shaped by my previous summer’s influence.

In 2005, when I was approaching my final year as a camper, I got a babysitting job in order to pay to stay for both four week sessions. My parents didn’t love the idea, so I took it upon myself to raise the money. To this day I’ve never felt more accomplished. Moreover, this gesture proved to me and everyone else in my life the extent to which I love Timber Lake West. Since then, caring for children has been a huge part of my life.

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The Pre-Camp Crew has arrived and they are busy busy busy helping us to get camp ready for your arrival. Under the watchful eye of Steve Chesney, Director of Operations, the crew performs a wide variety of tasks: (more…)