There’s really nothing like July 4th at Camp Timber Tops. We know, we know: some travel far and wide for the perfect beach escape or summer weekend adventure, but there’s just something in the air in Greeley that makes July 4th here unforgettable, dare we say the best place on earth. Once you’ve spent July 4th at Timber Tops, a little part of you will always be at Timber Tops on July 4th. Alumni know what we mean!
The day starts with a much-needed late (8:45AM) wakeup, though CAs wake up the camp with fury, and we hit the ground running. Clad in red, white, and blue (and international staff in their own colors and flags!), we gather around the flagpole for dancing, singing and cheering to patriotic songs! After a louder-than-usual pledge of allegiance and raising of the flag, we bolted into the decorated dining hall for a red, white and blue (sense a theme?) breakfast of especially delicious french toast with blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream on top. Oh, and don’t forget our Timber Tops 4th of July traditional favorite: KRISPY KREMES! It wouldn’t be July 4th without them.
Our first official activity this morning is an all–camp GO BANANAS! Ask your camper about it! Next up? The American vs. International staff soccer game. USA! USA! USA! Guess what?! IT WAS A TIE! Unbelievable! While we cheered, campers enjoyed an American favorite: root beer floats! Speaking of delicious, grove lunch (though brought inside because of some passing thunder) of extra-long hotdogs and hamburgers was especially festive today.
This afternoon was an awesome one. After rest hour, bunks set up stations and created their own carnival games (which they’ve been planning). We believe in homegrown carnival fun, but we also brought in the real deal: a HUGE inflatable obstacle course for the pool and a number of other inflatable stations (a pirate ship with water slide, a ninja warrior station and a dunk tank!) on the upper field! We had a popcorn machine up there too, because it’s a carnival after all!
And the pièce de résistance? FIREWORKS! Tonight after dinner (WINGS and more!), Lake Owego Camp for Boys is coming over for a night of fun. The Juniors (CTT and LOC together) will play Minute to Win it. The Seniors and Hi-Seniors will participate in organized lawn games and hang out on the upper field before being joined by the Juniors for our awesome fireworks show. Fireworks at camp are just one of those childhood memories you carry with you for your whole life. It doesn’t get much more magical than this.
To life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Hey- we’re good at celebrating independence every day down the winding road!
PS- Last night our 11th graders made it out of the jungle and back in San Jose. After a two-day rafting trip through the rain forest, they’ll now have the chance to share the gift of camp with some local ‘Tico’ children. Pura Vida!
