Shandaken, NY
A typical day at TLC: Reveille at 7:45 am, then breakfast, clean-up and inspection, followed by Athletics (10:00–11:00 am), an Elective period (11:15 am–12:15 pm), Lunch (12:30–1:00 pm), Rest Hour, Waterfront (1:45–2:45 pm), Snack, a second Athletics period (3:15–4:15 pm), a second Elective (4:30–5:30 pm), Dinner, Free Play & Canteen, Shower Time, and an Evening Activity ending at 9:15 pm.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Our Open House is held before camp in late spring and provides an opportunity for new campers, along with their families, to visit camp to help prepare them for the summer ahead. This way, regardless of whether or not they've come to a Rookie Day or visited camp on a tour, each camper will be familiar with their summer home from the second they step off the bus! Parents will sit down with Jay & Mindy to discuss issues familiar to First Year Camp Parents, while the campers get to play with and meet other new campers.
Making friends and learning to be a good friend is what camp is all about. While Mindy & Jay truly become each camper's 'Summer Parents,' becoming part of the TLC Family starts long before campers board the bus on Opening Day. During the year, we host several events designed for new campers to meet returning campers their own age so they can start building friendships.
Combined with our scheduled athletics and waterfront activities, twice daily Elective periods allow campers to customize their summer program so each day is a new experience! Campers choose daily between a wide variety of athletic, adventure oriented, performing and creative arts, communications, design and technology Elective activities. All of our Electives feature experienced teachers and coaches to ensure that our campers get the highest quality of instruction in the areas of their greatest interest.
Our Fine Arts Center, positioned over one of TLC's picturesque lakes, is the perfect backdrop for your child to explore his or her creative side. The center is home to many of our art elective programs, including woodworking, candle-making, painting, costume design, ceramics, jewelry making, macramé, robotics, and graphic design. Each elective features experienced instructors to ensure that our campers get the highest quality training in the areas of their greatest interest.
Whether you're soaring high in the trees on the zip line across the lake, mountain biking through the wooded trails, tackling the quadruple-sided climbing wall or hiking to the North Dome, every day is a new experience at Outdoor Adventure! Camping at Tree Top Village is scheduled by age group, complete with stories around the campfire and eating s'mores under the stars!
Timber Lake Camp sits on a mountaintop surrounded by 500 acres in New York's Catskill Mountains, just 2.5 hours from New York City. A traditional, co-ed camp, we feature two private, spring-fed lakes and an outstanding array of facilities on magnificently manicured grounds.
Each Wednesday we change the schedule and start the day with a slightly later wake-up, followed by a breakfast cook-out on our boys' and girls' campuses. Marathon, our version of Color War, is the perfect way to close out a great summer with 4 to 5 days of fun and intense competition. The camp is divided into two teams (Green & White) that compete in a variety of activities ranging from athletics, to the arts and favorites like the Apache Relay, and Rope Burn – which all culminates in Sing Night where the two teams perform their dances, skits & sing their alma maters.
The STARFISH Ceremonies, which take place every Saturday evening, rain or shine, have become integral to both the spirit of Timber Lake and the character of its campers and staff. When Jay walks to the front of the assembled camp, a murmur of excitement runs through the crowd. The question is always the same: What story will Jay tell tonight? These stories that we hear and values that are imparted on us stay with us long after we leave Timber Lake's majestic grounds, because as we all know, TLC isn't simply a place we go … its who we are.
We teach children the skills of making and keeping friends, while building their self-esteem, self confidence and resilience. We create an emotionally safe, nurturing environment and train our staff and coaches on the importance of ensuring that campers go home – at the end of every summer – feeling better about themselves and more confident.
Although it may sound cliché, the fact is that the friendships made at camp and the life lessons learned carry them far beyond the gates of Timber Lake. The confidence and independence gained during their seven weeks remains with them for the additional 45 weeks of the year. They are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone in a loving and supportive environment and be their best selves at camp. The pressures of school, sports, and social media seem to slip away with that first breathtaking glance at Saddle Mountain.
2027-06-26 – 2027-08-14
7 weeks
Overnight camp
Duration implied by family testimonial referencing 'seven weeks'. Two tuition payment options: Option 1 Early Payment $17,475; Option 2 Automatic Payment $18,225. Dates from Summer 2027 Dates page.
Dates, rates & eligibility ↗Camp doesn't slow down when the sun goes down. Whether it's a Saturday night theater production, a fun Friday night Social, outdoor games & contests or a late-night league game on one of our many lighted courts, evening activities are among the best times of the day at Timber Lake. Before bedtime, a stop with friends at the Canteen to grab a snack, hangout, play table tennis and billiards ends the day on the right note.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗Through your CampInTouch account, you may designate additional family members and friends the ability to email your children. We print out email daily and distribute them with the regular mail. E-mails received before 9:00 am will be distributed with the same day's mail.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗At our Dining Hall, meals are served family style and campers and counselors eat as a bunk. There are always alternative options at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At each lunch and dinner, campers can also choose items from our Fresh Salad Bar, Pasta Bar and Sandwich Station. Fresh fruit is available all day throughout the campus, and a mid-afternoon snack is served at our Boys & Girls HCs – and includes everything from fruit pops to nut-free granola bars.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗We do not serve any products that contain peanuts, tree nuts, or trace amounts of nuts. For those campers with special dietary needs and allergies, we take extraordinary care in developing a menu that fits that child's needs. Our Food Service Director will work closely with your family to develop a menu that fits your child's needs.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Camp should feel like an extension of your home; we care as much as you do and pay close attention to your child's physical well-being. We train our staff to monitor that campers are drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, wearing sunscreen to protect from exposure to the sun, and getting the necessary rest.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Our modern, well-equipped and air-conditioned Health Center has two on-site M.D.s, seven registered nurses, and a health center administrator. These experienced medical professionals provide excellent care to campers while regularly communicating with parents back home.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗