Towering Pines Blog

I have the privilege of living in the northwoods of Wisconsin during the summer at Towering Pines Camp for Boys. In the off season I live in Nebraska where I was born and raised.  In parts of Nebraska you can stand on the top of a hill (if you can find one) and look out and literally see for miles and miles.  It wasn’t until I ventured to other states that I realized that although there is a simple beauty on the plains, there is also something missing — TREES!

We are so fortunate at TP (Towering Pines) that we get to live amidst an ancient forest that has so many treasures within it.  Towering Pines is not only an environment for us to explore, but it is also a place for campers and counselors to embark upon awesome adventures which influence their life’s journey.  These experiences at camp help the boys to learn things about themselves that not only influence who they are now, but that also help them grow roots that become their foundation as they explore who they want to become in the future.

Young boys arrive at camp as seedlings eager but nervous as they try to navigate being away from home. They learn how to live in a group setting with people other than their own family members.  They learn new schedules and routines that are unfamiliar but also necessary so that life in the camp community functions well. For these young seedlings (boys) it might be the first time they get to exhibit their own independence as they choose their activities and new things they want to try. In addition, they continue to learn social skills in an environment that is very different than perhaps at home or in school. Through the many games played in the cabin, in evening workshops and Sunday special events, they learn skills as both leaders and followers including negotiation, conflict resolution and how to advocate for themselves in positive ways.

There is a immense deal of growth in the six weeks that they are with us in a summer; however, that growth is exponential over the many years that they come back to TP!  And just as trees take many years to grow and mature so do the campers.  They go from seedlings to saplings over several summers maturing from boys into young men.  There is a long-standing tradition at Towering Pines that the older boys look out for the younger campers nurturing the bonds within our camp community.  There are a plethora of opportunities for the campers to work and play with boys of various ages. Our intentional programming creates a unique environment that provides campers the chance to see that people of all ages, because of their own special personalities and skillsets, have things to teach and to learn.

The development of these fellas continues when they move into the CIT (Counselor in Training) Program.  This program helps prepare the CITs not only to be future counselors, but also as they progress through their secondary and college edudation and into the work force.  CITs get to participate in the regular camp program and activities while maintaining a positive image as role models and mentors to the younger campers.  Part of their leadership trainig is assisting instruction in one/two activity periods in an activity of choice/expertise as well as planning and implementing the Sunday special events with their counselors.  All of this is part of the process of stepping into adulthood just as the sapling becomes a mature adult tree, we strive to support the CITs as they mature into responsible adults! 

For 79 years Towering Pines has provided a place for boys of all ages to grow, to learn and to extend their vast network of roots which will anchor them for the future.  Just as healthy roots are key to a tree’s survival, they are also essential for these young men.

If you haven’t yet registered your child for camp, here is the link. We look forward to the Summer of 2026 and our 80th year!

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.”