Nature Appreciation (N.A.) may be called an innovative new activity at an old innovated camp. Nature Appreciation will pool the talents and resources contained in members of the Timberlane family and will for the first time be an activity that on a daily basis seeks to include the whole camp. N.A. will be a growth-oriented activity which promises to grow and build on itself. N.A., after all, is healthy and good for you, better in fact than eating an apple a day. N.A. will always leave it’s doors open to anyone, even strangers, because strangers aren’t really strange are they? They’re really just strangers because we don’t know them as well as we know our “friends.”

N..A. will be open to criticism from anyone---from Harold to the youngest camper in camp. N.A. will make people feel and think independently for maybe the first time in their lives. N.A. will be sponsored by Gary Oglander, Steve Friedman and Rocky Stone: three people who beieve that there is nothing more important than exchanging ideas with anyone, be they Timberlaners or not. N.A. will not be power oriented activity. Sessions will run in a calm and supportive enviroment which will probably change from day to day or may remain the same throughout the camping season.

The pervasive atmosphere of N.A. will be “we’re all in this thing together, so let’s get to know what we’re doing on this earth and let’s concentrate on finding ways of helping each other. N.A. will be no more complicated than people experiencing their lives together in a sensitive and thoughtful way.”

Now, as a former counselor, last year, in fact, I can think off hand of a number in insights and talents the Timberlane staff alone possess. I’ll give you some ideas I’ve had for this activity. Some ideas utilize staff demonstrating lecturing, and dealing with their talents and insights.

I’m sure staff members will be glad to take time off from their already busy schedules to help out this camp related activity: nature appreciation. Other ideas utilize important discussion, and examination, of what I feel to be really key issues in the world today. Issues that mankind need deal with sooner or later or it will destroy him. The activity’s objective, simply stated is this: