By Jim Salinsky
Camp Timberlane has had a number of
memorable and unusual moments. Probably the most significant of these
was the groundbreaking of camp in 1960, signifying the start of Camp
Timberlane.
Later came U.N. and Pow Wow Days. Harold Hiken had seen color wars at
other camps that lasted an entire week. H.H. felt that this was too
long for the campers to be in competition, so he then instituted a
single day’s competition each session. These eventful days began
with the first year of camp.
Also memorable was Crew-Cut Day. Harold would get on the P.A. and
announce “It’s Crew-Cut Day, everyone report to the
barbershop!” The barbershop was first in the tripping shack, and
later moved to the Arts and Crafts shop. “It was like an African
hunt!, “ Harold said “trying to find those kids”.
Crew-Cut Day was finally abolished in 1969 after strong protests from
campers and parents.
Around 1968, Camp Timberlane’s boardwalk was installed. This was
a great improvement since as beforehand all that was there was a long
beach. Some years the lake did not reach it’s appropriate level,
and other times the lake washed out the waterfront altogether,
causing the beach to not be passable on foot.
One of the most popular institutions at Timberlane is trampball, This
began in the late 1960’s when Harold installed two trampolines,
and made up the rules which are the same to this very day. The game
was expanded when two additional trampolines were later added. The
game became so popular, that four more trampolines were added in
1972.
A long forgotten event is Circus Day. Taking place on Parent’s
Weekend, the campers and staff set up a series of booths on the
tennis courts, and ran it like a carnival. Events such as
apple-bobbing and pie-throwing were involved. This lasted until
1972.
Program Aide pranks are a long standing tradition at Camp and there
have been many classic ones. In 1975, the entire camp was stolen by
the P.A.’s. They woke everyone (except Harold and Sharon) at
6:00 in the morning, and led them quietly out to the stables. wake-up
bell came along, no concern; but when Harold rang the waiter's bell
and no one showed; H.H. started to worry. A few teeth-chattering
moments later, Harold announced over the public address,
“WHERE’S MY CAMP!?” Soon, everyone came marching out
of the stables chanting, “Owee-O-Oweee-O”. “It was
like a nightmare,” Harold remarked “my entire camp was
gone!”
Of course, other memories of P.A. pranks still remain. Such as in
1977 when all of his hats were “taken” by the P.A’s.
When Harold came to the flag-pole the next morning, the only thing he
could find to cover his head with was a shower cap! When Harold
looked on top of the flagpole, he saw his missing toupees perched up
there. This is a repeat prank from previous years.
I feel that the good spirit of Timberlane stays with past campers and
counselors. This is why there is such a large turnout each Fourth of
July when former staff is invited back to visit.