Steve founded Play It Forward to serve as a web-based platform where musicians could sell their albums in exchange for charitable donations to non-profit organizations of their choice. Currently, musicians featured on the site are raising money for the Leukemia Research Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Feed the Children, among others.

We are excited to announce that TLC Family of Camps will be releasing an album of music written and recorded by ALL OF YOU! We are calling on all of our musically gifted parents, campers, and staff (past and present) to contribute original songs that they have written and recorded.  Eligible songs may be previously recorded or can be written specifically for this project. Professional production is not a requirement.

Once we receive all of the submissions, we will compile them into a TLC Family of Camps album. Proceeds from the album will be donated to SCOPE, a nonprofit that gives the gift of summer camp to children from low-income families at ACA-accredited sleepaway camps, in celebration of its 25^th Anniversary.

If you are interested in contributing a song, please e-mail Steve at steve@playitforward.com. And stay tuned – we will let you know as soon as the album is available for purchase/donation!

TLC FAMILY OF CAMPS:
*Timber Lake Camp * Timber Lake West * Tyler Hill Camp
*North Shore Day Camp * North Shore Day School
*Hampton Country Day Camp * Southampton Camp & Club

 We felt that at this time of year, when camp re-enrollment is underway and even the happiest of campers sometimes hesitate about re-enrolling for camp, this is a good message to share with our Camp families. (Written by *Laurie Rinke)

As an adult, sometimes it is hard to remember the feelings that you had leaving home to go to camp, or even college for that matter.  Do you remember what it felt like to once again sleep in your own bed or get something from the refrigerator whenever you wanted?  Campers returning home after the summer enjoy the comforts of home and, of course, the individual attention of family showering them with love and affection.  The idea of leaving the happy cocoon of home can be almost unfathomable to any child, especially those who recently finished their first summer at camp, or are planning on going to camp for the first time next summer.  They are flooded with a mix of emotions about home and camp that are not only hard to identify, but also hard to resolve.

It is not at all uncommon for even the happiest camper to hesitate when being asked to commit to another summer away from home, especially when they have only been back at home for a short period of time.  In the past couple weeks, we have had conversations with parents who are dealing with camper uncertainty about next summer.  These conversations, which happen every year around early enrollment deadlines, are always very similar…

“My son/daughter got off the bus from camp a few weeks ago saying that they had the best summer ever! They told us about their friends, counselors and all of the fun they had. In fact, they reached out to their camp friends because they were “camp sick.” When we asked them if they wanted to go back to camp next summer, they said they didn’t want to go. I don’t understand what happened, or where this change in heart came from.  We know they loved camp, but now they are saying they don’t want to go back.”

This reaction, especially from first-year campers, is incredibly normal and more common than most people realize.  However, it does confuse parents tremendously, and can create conflicted emotions about camp for the entire family.   Asking a young child, who may have had a tough adjustment to camp, and/or experienced homesickness during the summer, if they want to leave home again after being home for a relatively short time, can be difficult.  When you factor in that they have also had to adjust to everything that comes with starting a new school year, while reconnecting friends from home, the question becomes even more daunting to the child.  It is hard enough for them to predict how they will feel a week from now, much less nine months from now.

For many children, there can also a psychological or subconscious impact if they expressed “homesickness” over the summer, and they are afraid of losing face.  There can also be a feeling that if they say that they want to go back to camp, it is somehow a rejection of their parents because they’re choosing camp over home.  Even as adults, trying to sort out and accept multiple emotions at the same time is a difficult task, but for a child, it is like climbing Mount Everest.

So what is a parent to do? If you know that your child had a great summer at camp, and you can see the positive growth your child experienced at camp, have confidence in your personal assessment.  Remind yourself that your child’s reaction is totally normal, and that there are understandable reasons why they have inexplicably changed their tune about camp.  Keep in mind that the start of camp is still nine months away.  In addition to your child going through nearly a year of growth and maturity, home will not feel as “shiny and new” as it does right now.  If you feel confident that your child should, and ultimately will want to, return to camp, then you should re-enroll them.  After all, you have the ability to see the bigger picture far more clearly then your child can.

Make sure that you express your confidence about them going to camp, loving it and being successful.  It also helps to remind them that they will be a veteran at camp, and everything will feel much easier because they did already had a successful summer (or two).

At this point, children can go in one of two ways.  Some will want you to help talk them through their positive camp memories, and will want to be reminded of the fun that they had there.   Others will want to put off talking about camp for a while, and allow themselves to live in the moment of school and home life.  Both of these approaches are totally fine. Follow your child’s lead on camp discussions, but remember, if they are giving you concerns about camp, it is best to validate those concerns and help remind them of the positives they may not be thinking about at this point in time.

Here are some helpful hints to navigating camper uncertainty:

• Schedule play dates, sleepovers, and get-togethers with their camp friends.

• Look through the summer website photos with them and ask them to describe what they are having so much fun doing in the photos.

• Ask them to sing you their camp songs and cheers, or teach them to younger siblings.

• Show them the happy letters they sent you from camp.

• Create positive associations with camp.  For some children this can be done immediately, and for others it may be best to wait until after the new year or the spring.

• Remind them that nothing exciting – certainly not as exciting as camp – is going on at home, so they would be bored if they stayed home for the summer.

Finally, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us to schedule a home visit, video chat or email exchange so that your camper can reconnect with a trusted adult at camp, and make sure they feel heard, understood and taken care of.  We can also help remind your child of all the fun they had at camp, and become another positive association.

By the time June rolls around, and the weather is warming up, and you need to start packing your child’s camp duffels, they will be so ready and excited for camp, they will ask you to send them immediately!  And, yes, you will (some time in the future), laugh with your child about the conflicted yo-yo feelings that they had about camp – probably when they get off the bus at the end of next summer, crying, because they are campsick again!

The trip would start at the end of April and go through to early May. The flight to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania would be 18 hours with two refueling stops. We would be taking twelve additional flights, on all sorts of small aircraft, to a multitude of site visits in northern Tanzania, Kenya and ending up in Marrakesh, Morocco. Mainly “business,” the trip would include two safaris – something Mindy and I have been longing to do. The final stop in Marrakesh was a particular attraction as we had heard so many great things about it.

Nonetheless, my first reaction –and Mindy’s – was that we could not go. It was at the wrong time – camp was virtually upon us and there was so much work to be done. It was too far – 18 hours by plane! It was too long – being away from our kids, work, the dogs, our home – for 12 days? The shots didn’t bother me and the lack of preparation time to pack and get ready didn’t phase me either. But 18 hours away, for 12 days at this time of year – I wasn’t feeling it.

The good news is that I have lived quite a few years now and have experienced a lot. I know myself. And I am wise enough to know how to weigh the negatives causing my apprehension against the positives of an experience. I hated going to camp – well into my early teens. But I went – and I loved it – and still do, well into my early . . . . I hated the thought of going away to college and law school after that. But I did both of them, loved those experiences and wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. And, I would have gladly unpacked before each of the great vacations I’ve gone on, had they been cancelled on me. But they weren’t and I went and loved every one of them.

It is that life experience – that only years can provide – that helped me make the right decision and go to Africa. Most of the choices like these involve trade-offs. Like camp for a child: yes, it is relatively far away and, yes, 25 or 27 days is a long time. But the life experience, the social development, character building, strengthened confidence and self-esteem along with the new friends and skills learned make the positives far greater than the realities behind any of the apprehensions.

In the end, we went to Africa. To say that it was a “trip of a lifetime” captures the feeling both Mindy and I share. We saw virtually every one of the “big five” animals on our safaris, met some wonderful people in Africa, made several new friends and loved Marrakesh. What a mistake I would have made had we stayed home.

By Jay Jacobs, Executive Director, Timber Lake Family of Camps

We love when we hear  the great things young people are doing to make their communities a better place;  especially when  it is one of our own Timber Lake West Campers who is making a difference.

Take a look at what TLW Camper, Marni has to say about the RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Club she belongs to at  Shore Road School in Bellmore: http://www.fios1news.com/longisland/heroes-rak-pack#.VPSBgeFr_Ds

Way to go, Marni!

When we interview staff and ask why they want to work at Camp, they often speak of helping campers: grown,  learn and build their self confidence and self esteem. At the end of the season they realize not only have they helped “their kids” grow, they themselves have grown and gained just as much as their campers. We will let Corey MacEachern explain.

Dear Jenn, Justin, Cassie, and TLW family.

It’s hard to believe after 7 amazing summers and many visits I am writing this email. After much consideration and countless conversations with family and friends, I have to start to think about my future. I hope to study nutrition and personal training. Its something I have thought about long and hard, and feel the time is right to start to pursue this dream of mine.

I want to start off by thanking the Directors of TLW. You guys are the glue that holds this place together and make it what it is day in and day out. You have helped me grow into many different roles at camp and made every transition as smooth as possible.

It’s been privileged getting to know amazing people from around the globe. I am blessed to have friends from all over the world, who I can truly call part of my family now. Even as we continue on different paths in our lives, as the camp Alma Mater says “ no, a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.” I will carry these words with me forever and always.

The biggest part of camp is the campers. I am so blessed to have watched kids grow up right before my eyes, some still Campers and some who have gone from Camper to Counselor. “My Campers” truly have had an impact on my life. I don’t consider the young men I watched grow up right in front of me to be campers; I consider them all my younger brothers. The bonds that were created at Timber Lake West are bonds that will last a lifetime. As I go on a different path, I will continue to remain in touch with them.

Camp is not simply a place that people go to each year. It is a place where something indescribable happens. People come together in one big family and your life changes in an instant. I remember my first summer a returning staff member saying “on the last day of camp you’re going to cry. You are going to miss these friends and kids so much it hurts.” I was thinking in my head “are you crazy? I don’t know any of these people”. Well, on the last night, as everyone gathered to sing the Alma Mater, one the last time. I along with 400 plus campers and staff was crying. Camp does something so amazing to you that you can’t help but to miss your big family the moment you leave, so much that it truly does hurt.

I also have Camp to thank for making me into the man I am today. Camp has allowed me to get out of my shell and develop into a wacky young kid at heart and discover who I am. I reference camp on a day-to-day basis, at home. It’s a place that helps mold you into who you are and who you will become. Never in my wildest dreams would I have been the lead in a play, dressed as a woman doing interpreted dance, or screaming at the top of my lungs in a blue man suit saying GO BLUE!!! But yes these are some of the wacky things that I am proud to say I’ve done. I have no regrets nor do I wish I could have done this or wish I could have done that. I have had so many dreams and expectations come true. I have made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. There are no words or emotions I could ever say enough, to thank you for all you have done for me in these past 7 years. Every summer, month, week, day, minute, second has been something I will treasure. I am not writing this as a goodbye, it’s more of a see you later. As we like to say at the end of the summer “don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened.”

Jenn, Justin, Cassie, and Timber Lake West, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Corey

As is often echoed during the holiday season, we all want peace, health, and happiness for ourselves and our loved ones. During the summer our STARFISH Values Program not only supports this, along with our camp’s mission of teaching children the skills of making and keeping friends while building their self-esteem; it also creates the environment that makes this possible.

It’s been said that “teaching kids to count isn’t nearly as important as teaching them what counts.” We feel strongly that we can teach our campers a greater lesson in giving to others. It is by example that our campers learn the importance of helping those less fortunate than us.

So, how do we make a positive difference in this world?

Every summer, each session, we swim laps for Project Morry, which is a nationally recognized, youth development organization that empowers youth from at-risk, economically challenged communities to envision a positive future. This summer, our campers swam over 8,000 laps in two afternoons! We are getting close to our goal of helping send more well deserving campers to Morry’s Camp next summer. If you wish to help us bridge the gap, please feel free to donate online by visiting www.projectmorry.org

Members of our Camp Community give back in their own way as well. Here are just a few examples:

• Timber Lake West Camper Carly Z and her friend Rachel R. started a charity a few years ago called “Covers Cause We Care.” For the past five years, they have collected almost 3000 blankets from campers and counselors at a variety of sleep-away camps including Timber Lake West, and our sister camps Timber Lake and Tyler Hill. We were proud to help them work towards their goal of collecting an additional 1000 blankets this summer. Carly and Rachel got the bedding out to the amazing people at the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN). They are the largest private social service agency on Long Island and run 19 soup kitchens, emergency shelters and long term housing program to help people in need all over Long Island. Well done, ladies!

• Each November we have several staff members who participate in “Movember”, the month of growing mustaches to raise awareness and funds to change the face of men’s health. We are not sure who wore it better, James or Jono!

• Rocket Man, Antoni, is taking on a new challenge this summer. He is participating in the Mongol Rally, which is a charity rally that goes from London to Mongolia. Go Help is the UK adventure charity, which runs this rally and are committed to working with local communities in Central Asia and Central America to improve their access to education and healthcare services. It is run by volunteers, and began as an effort to launch and operate ambulance services in third world countries. You can keep up with Antoni’s project here if you wish: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Goat-Way-Team/281150778762912

• Each holiday season, the The Timber Lake Family of Camps “adopts” several less fortunate families in Glen Cove, our winter home, to help make their holidays a little brighter. In conjunction with our adopt-a-family program, our day school, North Shore Day School hosts a toy drive for their students to bring in unwrapped gifts. These gifts not only supplement our adopt-a-families, they also go to help others in need here on Long Island.

These are just a few ways that we and some of the members of our Camp Family give back to the communities that we live and work in. Tell us what people are doing in your community and how your children are paying it forward.

Well done, Timber Lake West Future Campers, Campers, Staff and Alumni!  You helped us boost our participation, over last year, in Camp T-Shirt Day by 60%! Check out the Camp T-Shirt 2014 Album!

Hi, our names are Rachel R. and Carly Z.. We are two 15 year old girls who want to help other kids and their families stay warm in the winter months. We are so lucky to have blankets on our beds, but we know that this is not the case for everyone. We started a charity two years ago called “Covers Cause We Care.”  For the past five years, we have collected almost 3000 blankets from campers and counselors at Trails End, Chestnut Lake, Timber Lake West, Timber Lake, Tyler Hill and Camp Wayne For Girls! We are proud to announce that Camp Wayne For Boys will be participating in our charity this year! Our goal is to collect an additional1000 blankets this summer, and get them out to people in need.

We started this charity because we both go to sleep away camp (Trails End Camp and Timber Lake West), and we know that we are very lucky. Each summer we bring our bedding with us to camp and decorate our beds. We noticed that after a few summers, many kids are often finished using their bedding, and replace it. We learned that there are kids right here on Long Island who do not have a blanket to keep them warm. When you are finished using your camp bedding, we want to collect it, and give it to people who desperately need it.

Five and a half years ago, we were introduced and developed a wonderful relationship with the amazing people at the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN). They are the largest private social service agency on Long Island. They run 19 soup kitchens, emergency shelters and long term housing program to help people in need all over Long Island. Last summer we donated all 500 blankets to the INN. Once again, they are thrilled to accept any lightly used blankets that we collect.

We are so excited that all of the amazing directors and incredible staff at all seven camps are eager to support our cause this summer. We know that these camps are made up of wonderful compassionate families that will want to help us achieve our goal. We thank everyone in advance for their support.

It is so simple to donate your bedding…

• Email us at info@timberlakewest.comand let us know that you would like to leave your bedding behind so it can be donated.
• Tell us your child’s name, their camp and the group they are in, and we will work out the details with your camp.
• Note: All questions should be directed to us. Please email us at the address above, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

It’s that easy to make a difference in someone’s life!

Thank you so much for caring and supporting “Covers Cause We Care.”

Smiles and warm wishes,
Rachel and Carly

Anticipation has been building since the last car rolled down the hill from Visiting Day.  All week campers have been yelling “WHEN??” and “1-2-3-4 We want color war, ” preparing for their favorite part of camp.  Fake-outs have been plentiful throughout the week.  What started as an ordinary day, finished as one for the record books!   Campers woke up this morning to the sun shining and began their day like any other.

After a regular morning of activities, campers were surprised with a lunch line up.  The cheering began and the suspense built up for an excellent fake-out.  The afternoon started with an amazing Carnival full of cotton candy, sno-cones, dunk tanks, water slides and much much more.  As the campers were enjoying their snack, a plane flew up the valley and  soared over the lake causing the anticipation to grow among the camp.  The plane was flying overhead as everyone cheered and chanted “drop the fliers!” “drop the fliers!”   The plane took off into the distance and left everyone speechless at the fact that another fake-out happened!

The real action happened at the finale of  Catskill Game Night (a take-off of Hollywood Game Night).  The final eight teams battled it out in the mystery picture game.  The final four teams then advanced to the next round.  In the end, the teen girls dominated the competition and won the grand prize!  The girls were then given a chance to upgrade their prize in a bonus round.  In the bonus round, a camper had to identify celebrities by listening to clues given by director Cassie.  With the final celebrity being  Glee star Darren Criss,  time had just run out.   Seconds later, a video popped up on the screen with Darren Criss addressing the camp!  This is where he was proud to announce COLOR WAR 2014—RED BIG TOP vs. WHITE PARADISE!!! Check out the video below!

July 2014 Color War Break Video

We thought you would like to know why we swim for Morry’s and the importance of teaching our campers the value of giving back by sharing Morry’s story with you.

On October 31, 1994, the camping world lost a true hero. For 30 years, Morry Stein was the owner and director of Camp Echo Lake in Warrensburg, New York, one of America’s premier children’s summer camps, and a national leader in the American Camping Association. Morry died in the crash of American Eagle Flight 4184 in Roselawn, Indiana.

Morry and his wife Amy rose to the forefront of their field by establishing Echo Lake as one of the finest camps in the country. Morry acknowledged the long-term impact that camping made on the lives of the upper middle class youngsters served by Echo Lake. He very much wanted this experience to be shared with children from all socioeconomic groups. In 1970, Morry created and implemented the Echo Lake Idea, a week-long scholarship camping program for children from disadvantaged communities.

For Morry, this program was just the beginning. His goal was to give no less than every American child, regardless of economic status, the invaluable gift of summer camp. Morry was the Chairperson of the American Camping Foundation, an organization that raised over $1 million to send underprivileged children to summer camp. On October 28, 1994, he traveled to Martinsville, Indiana to head the Foundation’s Annual Board Meeting. The meeting was charged with excitement as the organization was nearing its fundraising goal, and the gift that Morry felt was so needed was about to be given.

Morry’s life was taken on his return flight home, before he could fulfill his mission. In 1995, inspired by his dream and to ensure that his vision of summer camp for all children became a reality, Morry’s friends, colleagues, campers and family created Morry’s Camp.

In Fall 2007, the name Project Morry was adopted to communicate the full scope of our year-round youth development organization and reflect the comprehensive educational programming.

Swimming for Morry’s Camp Over the Years

2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFbN08ZUn04

2015

Our campers’ experienced great success at our annual Morry’s Camp Swim-A-Thon. Our Camper’s participation in this event is strictly voluntary and what mighty volunteers they proved to be! This summer our campers swam close to 10,000 laps, 9830 laps to be exact!

2014

In 2014 our teen Campers led the charge, organizing and hosting our annual Morry’s Camp Swim-a-thon. Our camp community came together and swam over 4500 laps in one afternoon for this great cause. The Teens created a well orchestrated marketing campaign with signs everywhere, and when we say everywhere we mean everywhere!

It was a festive neon themed afternoon at the pool. The Teens thought of everything from music, to an DJ announcing the most laps swum and how many laps you had to swim in order to push your favorite staff member into the pool. Tasty treats were also provided for all swimmers.