Justin Mayer, owner and director, has been a part of the Timber Lake Family of Camps since he was eight years old. Justin grew up at Timber Lake Camp, and ultimately became TLC's Assistant Program Director. Upon graduating from Indiana University, Justin worked as an accountant for three years before realizing his true passion was camp. In 2003, he joined our sister camp, Tyler Hill, as the full-time Associate Director. Justin brings with him a tremendous background in program planning, staff development and dealing with campers. He adds a sense of fun to everything he does at camp and is committed to providing West campers with the best possible summer experience.

Justin serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of S.C.O.P.E. (Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge), and is also an active committee member of the American Camp Association's E.P.I.C. (Emerging Professionals in Camping) program and the Morry Stein Fall Camp Management Conference.

Cassie Mayer has grown up Timber Lake West, where she has been a camper, junior counselor, general counselor, group leader and a division leader. During the winter months, Cassie is a school psychologist in Rockland County, NY. She spends her camp days working with prospective and current families, as well as with campers. Cassie will ensure that both campers' and parents' needs and expectations are being met from start to finish. Additionally, Cassie will continue to develop creative and unique activities that our campers will enjoy throughout the entire summer!

Jennifer DeSpagna, owner and director, has been at Timber Lake West since its first summer in 1987 and works twelve months a year at TLW. In the summer, Jennifer keeps in touch with parents and works directly with campers. During the winter months, she maintains contact with parents, campers and staff and plays a major role in all staff hiring. Jennifer brings to West an energy that is contagious, and is respected by campers and staff for her abilities and obvious love for camp.

Jennifer previously served on the Board of Directors of the American Camp Association-NY and has chaired several committees for the Tri-State Camp Conference, the largest volunteer driven conference in the country. She is currently a member of the Public Guidance Committee for the American Camp Association.

Our Staff

Unique to Timber Lake West, and an integral piece to the puzzle, is the role of our Leadership Staff at camp. Each group has a Head Counselor and a Friendship Coach who act as the liaisons between parents and their children throughout the course of the session. Mature Division Leaders are the direct supervisors of the campers and counselors in their group and assist with all activities, bunk issues, and staff performance/evaluation. The role of the Coach is actually very similar to that of a parent. The Coach will provide attention and care to each camper by paying close consideration to the relationships and interactions they have with other campers and staff, monitoring that all special needs are being met, and serving as a compassionate and empathetic adult figure.

The key to your child’s great summer camp experience has everything to do with the quality of the staff. At Timber Lake West, we adhere to a simple formula: we want the BEST staff, at the BEST pay, trained to do the BEST JOB. With a 1:2 staff to camper ratio, we work to ensure the best possible care, instruction and supervision for our campers.

Our staff salaries are the highest in the industry, ensuring a wider pool of quality applicants (college sophomores start at a $2,500 base). Our full-year training program, which employs the services of top psychologists and experts in the child development field, provides our staff with the proper “tools” to work with campers to achieve our goals of building relationships and enhancing self-esteem.

Our in-bunk general counselors are chosen based on several interviews, reference checks and background checks. Our “specialty” counselors go through the same screening process, but are also all professionals in their fields. Our lead instructors come from winter jobs at esteemed private schools, universities and athletic facilities.

Additionally, our counselors are evaluated by their supervisors throughout the summer and are eligible to earn an additional $500 in cash bonuses. This Evaluation Program has evolved over the years and is one of the reasons that our staff grow so much throughout the summer. This means NO TIPPING for parents on Visiting Day or at any other time of the summer.