I had to Double Down!
Favorite Color = Light Blue
Favorite Book = Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
Favorite Song = Fifth Harmony and Demi Lovato
Hi Iâm Emily (2nd from left) and I live in Syosset, New York. Iâm 13 years old and Iâm in middle school in the 8th grade. I live with my sister Allie, my mom, my dad, and my two dogs Stella and Charlie. But when I think about âfamily,â I canât help but to think of my summers at Timber Lake West, and all of my family members there too!  As much as I love spending time with my friends and family, I still countdown every day until Iâm back home at TLW! (72 days!!!)
In my free time I love to compete in dance competitions and to hang out with my friends!  My sister, who will be a Teen 2 this upcoming summer, had started camp one year before me. When I came to see her on Visiting Day and saw how much fun she was having, I never wanted to leave. Thatâs when I knew TLW was the right place for me. The summer of 2008 (which was right before I went in to 4th grade) I finally got on to that camp bus for the first time. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was ready for whatever was ahead of me. I was in the youngest division on camp, and I was so nervous!!! But I ended up having the most amazing summer of my life! I canât imagine spending my summers anywhere else!
This summer will be my 6th summer at West, and I will be a Collegiate. Although many campers go to West for just 1 session, I couldnât get enough of it. So I am fortunate in that I go to camp for both 1st and 2nd sessions. People who were once strangers have became my family, and itâs so hard to be away from them for 10 months. I love everything about TLW from the counselors and campers who make you feel at home, to Color War, the Art Barn, the prom, to just sitting in the bunk talking and laughing with my friends. Iâve made the most amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. West is truly my summer home.
Whenever I’m together with my camp friends, we never stop laughing no matter what were doing. My camp friends always know how to put a smile on my face. Timber Lake West has honestly changed me and made me the independent, friendly, outgoing person that I am today. Whenever Iâm at home I talk about camp 24/7, and even though it drives my home friends nuts, I laugh every time I think about the crazy times that Iâve had at West. Seeing the buses roll down the hill and everyone crying their eyes out on the last day is the worst feeling. The only thing that gets me through the school year is knowing that I will be back at my summer home soon, ready for another unforgettable summer!
