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What makes Timber Ridge unique?
This isn't easy to sum up in a few words or sentences. One thing is for sure… a lot of people tell us that there's something magical about our camp - be it the people, the free choice scheduling, or the value that we put on camaraderie and friendship.
Timber Ridge is one of the few remaining camps where the original family is still the owner. Other camps owners have not had the opportunity to see past campers now send their own children to their camp. Yes, all camps have second-generation campers, but Timber Ridge is unique because, having been family owned for over fifty years, the Greenbergs have actually had the pleasure of getting to know both generations. Timber Ridge seems to make children feel comfortable and anxious to return, year after year. You can't imagine how many sweatshirts and jackets we give out each summer to campers who have been with us for five and seven years. That shows we must be doing something right.
Another unique quality of Timber Ridge is the variety of activities that a child can participate in. We do not emphasize any one particular field of activity such as "sports" or "fine arts". In fact, we are very well known for the fact that children can excel in any field that they choose. For instance, we have one of the finest "outdoor" programs around where children can choose from a variety of trips to participate in. We also have a fantastic sports and fine arts program. Therefore, children with many different interests can truly grow at Timber Ridge.
Does your camp have a distinct philosophy and core values?
Yes, it does.
We believe that camp should be a place where children feel safe enough to really be themselves and secure enough to reach out and try new things. Our small overall size and the close relationships between our campers and counselors help to foster this atmosphere.
Camp is also about friendship and learning to live with people who may be a little different from you. Our counselors help our campers through the tougher moments of bunk life by helping them develop better interpersonal skills. As a result, our campers emerge with life-long friends and friendships.
Is overnight camp right for my child?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question but at Timber Ridge we endeavor to give each camper the experience of a lifetime. We offer a nurturing environment and will do our best to make sure your child feels at home. With input from the camper and their parents, we know that your child will get the most from their time at Timber Ridge
Tell us a little about your staff.
The Timber Ridge staff is made up of seasoned, well-trained professionals and college students whose common bond is their love of children. Bunk staff must have completed at least one year of college prior to working at Timber Ridge. Our specialists are recruited based on their success in their chosen field. During a typical summer, our staff return rate is well over 60%.
How do the facilities compare to other camps?
Timber Ridge’s facilities consistently set the standard by which other camps are compared. We have all the fields, rinks, and courts for team and individual sports but it does not stop there. A state of the art skate park, circus trapeze, go kart track and horse back riding are the icing on the cake.
Would you say Timber Ridge is structured or non-structured/competitive or non-competitive?
In most ways, Timber Ridge is a very "structured" camp. We have set schedules for our day. Children know what they will be doing each day and are expected to follow through with their programs. On the other hand, we could be considered less "structured" than some camps, since our program is scheduled individually.
Labels are always difficult. We consider ourselves to be a structured camp with an individual program. Timber Ridge is not a "hang around" camp. It is an extremely busy and dynamic program.
Competitive or non-competitive? At Timber Ridge, we "compete" a great deal. We have in-camp leagues and a competitive basketball and flag football league; yet, we are considered by most to be a "moderately competitive" camp.
We enjoy this dichotomy as we have found that we can operate our camp in a manner that will challenge those looking for a great deal of sports competition yet also suit campers who are not "great athletes" and want to be in an atmosphere where they can achieve success in ways not related to athletics.
We determine what each camper is "great" at and capitalize on that skill. Our artists, our water-skiers, our skaters, our actors, are equally as important to the camp community as our soccer, baseball and basketball players.
What time do campers get up in the morning and when is bedtime?
Wake-up for all of our campers is 7:45. However for some of the older children, we do have a few special days that they can sleep until 9:00. Bedtime varies by age as well. Our youngest campers are in bed by 9:00. As campers get older, their time for lights out gets progressively later, with teenage campers having lights out beginning at 10:30.
How Co-ed is Timber Ridge and how is the instruction?
Timber Ridge is a co-ed camp with a strong emphasis on instruction and participation. Many activities are not co-ed. Athletics, for example, are all grouped by gender, and within age groups by ability, so that all sports are most appropriate to each group. In a word, we take the very best elements from a single-sex camp and combine them with the best elements of a co-ed camp. That has been our hallmark for more than 50 years. Our program for girls and boys is very strong and instructionally based. Both programs place an emphasis on high-quality skill development.
What is Timber Ridge’s policy on telephones, letter writing and visitation?
Speaking to your child over the telephone is not forbidden at Timber Ridge but it’s not encouraged either. We feel this may aggravate homesickness and impede a child’s adjustment to camp. There is no set time for children to call home. However, calls can be arranged through the camp director on an individual basis, depending on the circumstances. Parents whose children are attending camp for the first time (within the United States) will receive a phone call from the camp director after the first week, updating them on their child’s progress. Letter writing is a must three times per week. The Head Counselor and group leaders carefully monitor this. There is no visitation allowed at camp unless your child is attending the full session. For those families, we plan a Visitors Day program half way through the summer.
What travel arrangements do you make for the children?
Bus or van transportation is available through the camp to and from surrounding cities and states such as Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey. Those traveling by airplane are asked to fly into Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C. We recommend that these arrangements be made through our camp office so that the children may fly together. An escort will be present on all major flights and camp representatives will be at the gate to meet our children once they get off the plane. A bus then takes them to Timber Ridge, which is approximately sixty miles away. Of course, parents are more than welcome to drive their children to and from camp.
So, what’s the food like honestly?
We ask our campers this all the time and they give it thumbs up. We try to serve food that kids like to eat. Meals are nutritional, yet low fat and low cholesterol. A salad bar is available both at lunch and dinner with peanut butter and jelly, cottage cheese and yogurt, pasta salads, diced turkey, tuna and fresh vegetables. Special attention is given to those with unique diets and/or food allergies. Kosher food is also available.
What type of medical staff do you have at camp?
We have three nurses manning our infirmaries plus a doctor in residence at all times. What’s more, there is a state of the art Medical Center located fifteen miles away from Winchester, VA.
How is laundry handled at your camp?
Laundry is done at least once a week on the campgrounds. The camp provides blankets only and prefers that in addition to linens and towels, children bring their own pillows from home.
How many children and staff are in a cabin?
Approximately 8-10 children with two counselors, both who have completed at least one year of college, make up each cabin. Campers are bunked according to grade.
Are there bathrooms in each cabin?
Absolutely, along with heated showers. There are additional shower houses outside the cabins as well.
What type of spending money will my child need at camp?
Except for an occasional soda, there is nothing to buy on the campgrounds. Canteen is automatically given to each child before bedtime. When children go out of camp, however, they will need additional spending money. This amount is stated on our camp literature. We suggest that this money be deposited into your child’s own bank account where it can be withdrawn at any time.
What special trips outside the camp can my child take?
Timber Ridge offers a variety of out of camp trips, some which are part of the program and others, which are optional. Bike trips, overnight canoeing trips, hiking, back packing; rappelling, etc. are examples of trips which children can sign up for, as they’re being offered at no additional cost. At some point in the summer, we invite campers to go roller skating in town and a highlight of every child’s summer is when we take the entire camp to a nearby amusement park. Again, this is part of the camp tuition. Optional trips, which do cost more money, include Washington, D.C., white water rafting and extensive overnight bike excursions. |
