Towering Pines Blog

The basis of camp is truly about friendship and camaraderie.  The very definition of camaraderie is:  mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.  The six-week program at Towering Pines provides the time where the boys get to be in nature living and learning together. The programs and structure of Camp provide the foundation upon which trust can develop.  This trust, in turn, fosters friendships and relationships that may even last a lifetime.

Cabin 8, Winnebago, chose Friendship  as their vesper’s theme this past summer.  I was in awe then as I heard the counselors and campers read their thoughts out loud about how truly valuable the friendships they develop at camp are to them.  As I read back through these reflections to share with you in this blog, something really struck me. These boys not only shared how important camp friends are to them, but they understand the impact these friendships have on every aspect of camp life and their lives outside of camp.

Counselors from Cabin 8 gave insightful perspective into friendship and its role at camp:

“Friendship is the cornerstone on which camp is built.  Sure, we all love the activities, but the stories we come home with at the end of the summer are always about our friends.  The reason camp means so much to us is not only because it provides us with a place to build these friendships, but it also acts as a haven, a place to go where we know we will be loved and accepted.  Friendship provides us with the support we need in hard times and amplifies the success that comes with the good.  It has always been the reason we come to camp and will always be the reason we are sad to leave.  And though for all of us, our time at camp will end, the friendships we build here will not.”

“Friendship in a summer camp setting holds immense importance as a cornerstone for both personal growth and enriching the camp experience.  At its core, these friendships provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie in an unfamiliar environment, helping campers feel supported and valued.”

Taking a look back to this past summer, campers from Winnebago also shared reflections on the importance of friendship at camp.

• At camp friendship means creating an alliance with someone.  Without friendship we would all ignore each other and dislike each other. Trust would be foreign and everyone would be lonely.  Friendship is crucial in your camp experience.
• Friendship is one of the most important parts of camp because it keeps us together as one.  TP soccer games wouldn’t have gone well because we wouldn’t share the ball, and we wouldn’t cheer each other on.  Friendship is the core of camp.
• Without friendship you couldn’t make friends, and camp is a great place to make new friends.  You get to meet kids your age and different ages and do fun activities together.  Friends help you feel happy and less lonely.  If you feel homesick, having friends makes it easier, and when you have friends, you feel like you belong. It makes you feel good and more confident in your activities and to have a better time at camp.
• Friendship is a very important aspect of camp.  It allows campers to be able to have a wonderful time at camp and enjoy their time because they have friends that they can hang out with at activities and at meals.  If there was no friendship, people would be lonely and camp would feel very divided.
• Friendship is an indispensable thing not only at camp, but in our everyday lives too.  Friendship is becoming a shield to defend when your friend is in need. It’s a duty and job to implement friendship not only in our friends but in our enemies as well.  It’s all about spreading love and being able to look out for someone that’s not yourself.
• Friendship at camp is really important for creating lasting memories and making all of the activities fun and having the greatest time. It also helps you to grow as a person.
• Friendship is a very important value at camp because friends will always be there for you when you need them.  In camp we make a lot of friends and that helps us to improve in every activity.  Having a good friendship is an incredible feeling, I highly recommend it!
• Friendship is the most important role at camp, and it keeps people coming back and people staying happy.  It is such an important moment for many people in life; some people go their whole life without having a real friendship, someone who is always in your corner and is the first person to be there when you need it.  So make sure to pursue it in life and keep the ones you have close.  Friendship is the most valuable thing you could ever have.
• Friendship is vital to camp.  Without friendship, a majority of activities wouldn’t function so camp wouldn’t be as fun. On top of that cabin bonds would be no where near as close, and people wouldn’t come back.  Camp simply wouldn’t work.

The thread of friendship is woven into the very fabric of all of our experiences at camp. We share this at every closing campfire with this song:

By Nokomis 
By Nokomis rippling waters
Where our campfire bright,
Keeps the flame of friendship burning
In our hearts tonight.

Here we gather in the twilight
Loyal friends so true
Building in our hearts fond memory
Towering Pines for you.

We’d love for your son(s) to get to spend quality time with old friends at camp this summer and for them to have the opportunity to explore new friendships too. If you haven’t yet registered them for camp, sign them up to “Enjoy the Ride in ’25!”  If you know of any families who might benefit from the camp experience, we are always grateful for your willingness to share your experiences with them as well.

Angie Wenzl

• 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.”