Towering Pines Blog

November 20th recognized “National Child’s Day” which celebrates the potential within each child to explore  all of his or her ambitions.  In order to do this, it’s important to foster children’s dreams by encouraging them to set goals in order to reach these.  Education truly begins at home, and we have immense respect for all of the time and effort that you give to supporting your children in these aspirations.

Towering Pines Camp for Boys is an extension of the foundation that you provide at home.   We strive to do so through offering a structure at camp that includes our core values of Community, Growth, Respect, Responsibility and Safety.  It is our goal to incorporate these values into our daily routines, cabin living situations, activity areas, special events and essentially everything we do throughout each and every part of the camp day.

Camp creates a unique environment in which these boys can stretch outside of their comfort zone and experience and acknowledge failures within a safety zone of peers, counselors and other staff.  They not only have the opportunity to acknowledge and learn about their weaknesses, but to also celebrate their achievements whether incremental or exponential.  These youngsters can spread their wings and attempt to both expand and understand their own potential in a plethora of  areas.  They might even extend themselves to reach beyond their wildest dreams!!

This summer Cabin 6 & Cabin 7,  Cheyenne & Iroquois, spent significant time together as a part of a cabin family  working to achieve their individual goals and growing together as cabin groups.  This growth was evident not only in their cabin experiences, but also as an integral part of our entire camp community.

Here are some of their thoughts about their “Best Moments” for Summer of 2022:

What is something that you learned about yourself at camp in 2022 where “It’s Cool to be YOU!”?:

• I learned to catch serpents the size of my arm!
• If I push myself toward my goals, I will achieve them sooner.
• I learned how much I enjoy being an “almost camp counselor” (CIT)!!
• I learned how to clean the cabin and how to sail.
• I learned I can be more myself around my friends, and I am more brave.
• I learned how to skipper an X-boat.

In what ways did you GROW this summer (went out of your comfort zone, tried again, celebrated achievements, etc.)?:

• I grew by catching an 18″ Northern Pike while I was trying to get a lily pad.
• Through hard work I was able to get to Level 5 in riflery.
• I tried doing archery three periods a day to get better.
• My patience, kindness and integrity grew this summer.
• I went out of my “comfort zone” by diving deeper than I normally go to get the “Mother Lode” in skin diving.
• I learned how to rig and unrig a boat.
• I grew in both skiing and skin diving.

In what ways did you feel part of your cabin and the camp COMMUNITY (you were included, others built you up, you worked through conflict, etc.)?:

• I felt this on our cabin canoe trip.
• I felt like a very important component to campfire was our campfire skits.
• We would always laugh, and when we would build forts, everyone helped and had ideas.
• It felt like community when my cabin won cabin clean-up twice, and we were were able to go to Cathy’s both times.
• When our cabin built a fort and went on a canoe trip, it really felt like a community.
• I felt community during my activities.
• I felt like my ideas were heard during vespers.

In what ways did you see RESPECT this summer (kindness, empathy, appreciation for differences, etc.)?:

• I felt like other people really respected each other this summer.
• I felt like people respected me a lot when my cabin helped me.
• I was sad when camp was ending and so I was crying, and my friends supported me.
• I felt like my friends were always looking out for me.
• We made forts together, played games and much more.
• My camp friends are always making sure I’m ok and happy.
• I saw kindness, respect and appreciation this summer.

What is one thing that could have been better for you this summer?:

• I wanted to do better in archery.
• I wish we all could have stayed longer at camp!!
• I wanted to do better at sailing and soccer.
• I could have done better in sailing this year.
• I want more beef and noodles!! : )
• More PB&J’s at camp ; )
• I wish I would have stayed until the end of camp and banquet!

What is something you are THANKFUL for about camp?:

• I am thankful that everyone can be here and our counselors try to make it so much fun!!
• I’m thankful for having a lot of fun and not being scared or uncomfortable.
• I’m thankful for my camp friends!
• I’m thankful for all of the activities.
• I’m thankful for learning fishing, sailing, archery, riflery, tennis, swimming and soccer.
• That I can call camp my new home!!
• The nurse took care of me when I was sick.

We are extremely grateful for our camp family including each and every camper, counselor, and staff member.  In addition, we are thankful for the amazing support of our alumni and the families who share the gift of their sons with us each summer at Towering Pines Camp for Boys.  We hope to see all of your sons back at camp in 2023!!  If you haven’t registered yet or know of a family who would benefit from our unique camp experience, please feel free to share this link: https://cwtp.campbrainregistration.com/

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.”