Towering Pines Blog

It is so hard to believe that December is already upon us.  The holiday season is in full swing with shopping, decorating, baking, singing, working, playing, and well, just busying ourselves with full schedules of activity.  With so much hustle and bustle, I often find it challenging to really appreciate the season and all the “good things” that surround me.

I had the privilege of managing an event recently that brought together individuals, families and members of the community to run for a cause.  Many aspects didn’t go as planned because of time crunches, holiday shipping and things beyond our control.  I’ll admit that the plethora of issues started to get to me, and my “bah humbug” attitude began to creep in.  But then I witnessed something that truly warmed my heart.  A group of police officers willingly showed up and shared their time with us.  They went above and beyond to make our event a success.  They supported, they connected, and . . . they spread cheer among all ages to build bridges that will encourage our youth to commit themselves to being kind and giving people.  The whole tone of the event shifted with their presence.

The whole experience really made me think about camp.  This is exactly how I feel about our camp community.  We spend the summer together supporting, connecting and building bridges that surpass the boundaries of physical proximity.  We have the privilege to come together in an amazingly beautiful space to promote the growth of each individual so that we can continue to become the best people we can be.  When campers and staff leave at the end of the summer, this growth doesn’t cease.  But rather this progression continues to develop as we head into the world and share our experiences, gifts and talents with others throughout our families, our schools and our communities.  The gift of camp is truly exponential.

As we celebrate “National Thank You Note Day” later this month, we’d like to thank YOU for sharing your sons with us each summer at Camp Towering Pines for Boys.  Thank you for giving the gift of time in the Northwoods so that they can experience amazing adventures and complicated challenges that help them appreciate learning new things.  Thank YOU for giving your boys the opportunity to live with people from different cultures and communities so that they appreciate the unique gifts and talents that each person has to share.  Thank YOU for fostering your boys maturation with experiences that include activities, adventures, community living, nature, and so much more.

We were extremely grateful to have Cabin 6, Cheyenne, at camp this summer.  Their presence enhanced the entire camp family, and we want to thank YOU for sharing your sons with us!!  Here are some of the thoughts the boys shared about their experiences:

In what ways did the SUN SHINE for you this summer (what were your favorite things about camp?):

• Swimming, mountain biking and friends
• The sun shone during “Pirate Day” because getting everybody pumped up is great!!
• Archery was definitely a shining moment for me this summer.
• Moments that shone for me this summer were when I was with friends and playing Magic the Gathering.  
• The people made camp shine for me, and also “Magic the Gathering,” sail race, skiing and “spoon assassins.”
• Archery was a shining moment for me.
• Getting crew in sailing and doing 360 turns on kneeboard was huge for me!
• Swimming and archer by far were times when the sun shone for me!  It made me determined and taught me to stick with things!!

What is something that took you by surprise and was better than you imagined?

• Riflery!
• Vespers was better than I imagined, and I actually like it.
• Gaining 5 ranks in archery in 1 summer!! 
• I’m glad I tried riflery because it was better than I ever imagined.
• Skiing and sailing were something that was cool that I hadn’t tried before or for a long time!!
• I really liked Adventure Day.
• To do a 360b on a kneeboard the first try was way better than I ever imagined!
• I was better at archery than I thought I would be.

What is something you were able to do that you have not been able to do over the past year?

• I was able to do riflery and so many activities I haven’t been able to do.
• I played Backgammon, fished with an open reel, and I also played soccer. 
• I actually went out on an X-boat.
• I got to do riflery.
• I was able to go skiing and sailing. 
• Archery!!
• I learned so much about sailing which surprised me, and I sailed an X-boat.
• I tried riflery.
• I really didn’t know that I could be good at archery, and since I tried it, now I know!

The thing I learned most about myself:

• I’m pretty confident anyway and know myself well, but I did try knew things. 
• I am really funny, and people thought I was a leader because they chose me as “Chief.”
• I learned that I’m good at archery.
• I actually really enjoy biking.
• I’m good at sailing. 
• I can always find a way to be happy.  
• I enjoy the feeling of success when I qualify in archery.

What is the first thing you will tell your parents/family about your camp experience:

• I met new friends and so many people were enjoying camp and being happy.
• I’m going to say, “I LIKE CAMP!”
• Camp is fun, and we do so many things here.
• Camp was really great, and I’m so glad that I could come and meet new people.
• I want to tell them about sailing.
• There’s so much to tell them that I don’t know what I’ll tell them first.
• I want to tell them about my experiences and the friends I made!!

The words “Thank YOU” seem almost inadequate, but please know that we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to share Towering Pines Camp for Boys with your families.  We are so excited to see the boys of Cabin 6 back at camp next summer.  If you haven’t registered your son, just click this link!!

Angie Ziller

• Camp Mom at TP
• Leadership Staff at TP/Office Manager
• Marketing TP/Woodland
• Leadership Team TP/Woodland
• Assistant Waterfront Director at Woodland
• Counselor at Woodland
• “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”