The Joy of Camp

Published: July 02, 2026 12:10

The Joy of Summers at Camp Timanous

Counselors have migrated back to Maine for another summer of camp. It feels weird I will not be joining them this year but I had a good run. I have over 30 years of camp experience, 25 at Camp Timanous but why do we come back summer after summer? Most of my none camp friends often ask me what is it about camp that keeps you going back? It’s not a vacation, it consumes the whole summer. You could be traveling around enjoying time off. It’s not a simple answer, though I generally say “My family is there” What is it then? It’s a collective community experience where the goal each summer is to be our best selves and have as much fun as possible. While doing just that we solve problems, help others who are homesick, we practice team work, really learn about team work because we get to experience being part of a super championship quality team, and we carry the torch of traditions that make Camp Timanous a special place. Everyone is part of the traditions and the experience from the youngest person at camp to the oldest. There are many things at camp and during the camp season that bring great joy that possibly most people never get to experience in a summer or even in a lifetime. I'm on my way up for a few days and Jake Congleton's 93rd birthday celebration in Jake and Sally's driveway! I have a portfolio of new batiks travelling with me and all them are of camp places. The places we love are always easiest to paint! and here are the paintings travelling with me and these are some of the things about camp that bring me abundant everlasting joy;

4th of July Fire Patrol AidesJPG 2560 2560

New Batik-(4th of July Firefighter Aides Patrol)

Between the Pines 2560 2560

New Batik - (Backroad Between the Pines)

The Golden Hour 2560 2560

New Batik - (The Golden Hour)

The bell, but not always the first bell, or the bell after a proper flat rest.
dips, standing on the dock in the morning with the loons, the mist, the other dippers, and the sun peeking through the pine trees.
The Gatherings. Outside the barn before flag raising, before meals, on the field before flag lowering, below the chapel, at the swim docks, the bonfire, and the energy before capture the flag.
The Buzz, the collective joy of being in the place we love, the positivity, counselors on their way up the bunkline, campers walking on the backroad, and the sounds of camp that fill the air until taps and lights out at dusk.
The Barn, the history, the relics, Suitcase, the old barn doors, the new barn, ghosts of the past, Duck, who used to sit at the round table reading the newspaper in the restaurant section, the tiny coffee cups, the rafters, the old piano, The Chief, the caffeination station, Bob, the salad bar, the people who frequent the salad bar, except when there’s watermelon, pizza night!, the grandaddy gorilla name in the old pot, Twilight league skits, barn announcements, singing to the chefs, Bob! The kitchen crew, birthday speeches, the program, scores, the pirates win! Hurrah!!!ARRRRGH!!! the capture the flag announcement, Bob, and the table games.
The activities and swim, Tennis, pickleball, ping pong, games in the hall, baseball, kickball, sailboats, a waterskier getting up for the first time with cheers from main dock, main dock, lifeguards holding up the “sausage”, the constant sound of saws in shop, the wood projects, the constant sound of gunfire, the zen of archery, nature is everywhere, and the chill out place called handicrafts.
Friday Trips; the war canoes, the JY fleet, hike up Rattlesnake, tye dye Timanous style! Candy line, campers running from swim to get first in line, line flip, me firsters are me lasters at Camp!
Free evening, flag lowering, Pine saying “toot”, Twi Light League, ultimate, soccer, the hill bleacher creatures cheering the game, Ga Ga, disc golf, Adirondack golf, cloud watching, C&B, Red River, fishing, and dips!
Saturday cookouts; the wanigan, gathering wood, “MORE WOOD”, the fire, smoke shifters, fruit cups, bag of chips, cookout burgers, and oreos!
Camp Dogs; “Around the corner and who will we see? Pokey and Penelope” Keeping Bandit on a leash until Sunday morning when he would proceed to every cookout site finding all the lost burgers, Bandit coming back with a charcoal nose. Scrapy always knowing when I had a biscuit in my pocket, Ivy, Cece, Teddy, Daisy, Roxy, El Guapo, Gobi, Emme, and Jack the Dog. All the dogs sitting on the steps looking into the Barn during meals.
Chapel; The Timanous Prayer, Salutation to the Dawn, the songs, the message, the talk, the pine trees, the shaking hands and hugs! The cheer at the end!
Tattersall Hall, movie night, singing, gathering for grand daddy and jr. Grand Daddy. The cup game, magicians, the general entertainment nights, movie night, Sandlot again loud cheer!, the slideshow and the camp movie
Lanterns and teaching counselors how to use them, clean them, and light them. The stories; the orange glow, motorcycle gangs, bank robberies, cars in the lake, climbing the tower, and the “acern” story. The myths; Herman Schwartz, Snipes, Red River, the fisher cat, Jake, Mook, The Bear, BVO, Dickie Howlett, Suitcase, Duck, and Pine, and all the legendary counselors from summers past.
Council fire; the whole camp lighting the fire, awards, the clubs, the commendations and the songs we sing. Pineman and Jason getting camp across Plains Road, “Meeting 8:45 bring a buck”
Cabin Meetings, the quiet of Sunday night. Head Counselor meetings, sometimes, the murder trial, If I get away with it, starting a new Murder game, Pizza!
The 4th of July Bonfire!
The Bear Club, but most importantly the joy that comes from being my best self I can be and around some of the best people I have ever known in my short life. Because “Today well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope”
Being welcomed back to camp and joining the fun again even for a few days!!
Thank you Camp Timanous! – Congo Boogie 1962-1978 and 2009-2025