Here is Cindy's actual report on WNEM TV5 website 

Thanks Cindy !                    

On your next vist to Camp Timbers (might I suggest Women's Get-Away in the Spring), take I-75 north to exit 212 (West Branch). Turn right toward West Branch. Pass through 3 traffic lights. At the 4th traffic light (Fairview Road), turn right. Follow Fairview Road 5 miles to the top of a BIG hill. Turn left onto Clear Lake Road. Follow Clear lake Road for 5 miles to Clear Lake. Turn right onto Horseshoe Lake Road. Follow Horseshoe Lake Road for 1 mile to the camp entrance. Stay right on camp drive to the main lodge parking area.

Click Here to Download and Print a map.

Give a gift or send a child to YCamp Timbers.

 Download a Donation Form

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NOTE:  We DO NOT recommend web based directions in this case.  There is a problem with the towers recognizing Camp Timbers address.

Driving Directions from South

I-75 north to exit 212 (West Branch). Turn right toward West Branch. Pass through 3 traffic lights. At the 4th traffic light (Fairview Road), turn right. Follow Fairview Road 5 miles to the top of a BIG hill. Turn left onto Clear Lake Road. Follow Clear lake Road for 5 miles to Clear Lake. Turn right onto Horseshoe Lake Road. Follow Horseshoe Lake Road for 1 mile to the camp entrance. Stay right on camp drive to the main lodge parking area.

Click Here to Download and Print a map.

Address 

3269 Horseshoe Lake Rd
West Branch, MI 48661

New Lower Prices for Camp  
$419 $399 Non Members / $369 $349 Y Members

Payment Plans Are Still Available for 2010 Camp Season !  Click Here !

Click to Link to Full Camp Brochure

(Registration and Pricing info starts on page 16 of the brochure)

Please Take our Parent / Camper Survey
while sitting with the youth who attended Camp Timbers in 2009

Women’s Getaway Weekend       April 23 - 25, 2010

• A unique blend of active outdoor camp activities with pampering treatment for women.  
• Usually scheduled in April 

Adventure Challenge Course -Beach Volleyball - Biking - Canoeing/Kayaking - High Ropes Challenge Course - Hiking/Walking - Fitness Activities - Horseback Riding - Shopping (Outlets in West Branch) - Climbing Tower - Crafts

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Camp Open House                May 23, 2010, 1-4 pm

• Guided Tours, Camp Activities, Refreshments
• If you can’t join us on Open House day, let us give you a personal tour when your schedule allows.

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Active Older Adults Weekend      September 17-19, 2010
usually scheduled in the fall annually

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Also watch for details on  ...
Click for link to Labor Day Weekend - Family Camp

(website hits reset 12-22-09, 663)

The following forms are available as downloads for printing at your convenience.

Map / Directions to Y-Camp Timbers

Resident Camp

Camp Registration Form
 
Payment Plan Information Form   
    
Camp Timbers Financial Aid Form(s)

Health History Form

Health Form

Medical Authorization Form

Risk Acknowledgement Form (Parent Agreement)

Packing List

Parent Manual

 

Choose one of our pre-designed programs or meet with a Camp Timbers representative to design your own unique camp experience.

YMCA Camp Timbers is available also for year-round to host group camping events for:

• School Groups 
• Church Retreats 
• Scout Groups 
• Sports Teams 
• Family Events 
• Reunions 
• Receptions 
• Company Picnics 
• Birthday Parties 

Let us help plan your next group outing, weekend or mid-week. We can provide program staff and the food service to meet your group needs. Please call (989) 753-7721 for information on rates and available dates.

Team Building

Don't just get away - Get Results! Our group-building programs are designed to develop productive teams. Learn how engaging in active teamwork and team play can lead to team unity, better cooperation and communications, increased trust and respect, and even impact the bottom line.

Programs Include:

• Low Ropes Teams Course 
• Group Initiatives Course 
• Climbing Tower 
• High Ropes & Zip-Line 
• Orienteering Course 
• Outdoor Skills & Survival 
• Venture-Out Canoe & Backpack Trips

Nature/Environmental Studies

Take a hike - Get acquainted with an old relative, Mother Nature. The beauty of our property is unforgettable, and a rich wildlife habitat. Discover the balanced habitats of our hardwood and coniferous forests, lake, marsh, and bog wetlands, and upland prairies, all on 300 private acres of rolling terrain.

Programs Include:

• Bog Studies 
• Beaver Pond 
• Birding 
• Forest Ecology 
• Forest Management 
• Trailside Nature Center 
• Interpretive Trail System

Living History

You've read about it - So experience it here! Take a trip back in time and experience the rigors that our ancestors faced as this great territory was discovered, settled, and made productive. You're sure to learn a bit about yourself, as well as develop a greater appreciation for our place in the community today.

Programs Include:

• Pioneer Life 
• "Piper's Past Logging Camp 
• Natural History Museum 
• The Native Woodland Tribes 
• A Trapper's Tales 
• On-Site Archeological Digs

Have Fun

Come out and play - Seriously! You can relax and leave the planning to us. We are happy to host you, our guests, and allow you to make the most of your time at our outdoor center.

Programs Include:

• Canoeing 
• Swimming 
• Hayrides 
• Hiking 
• Mountain Biking 
• Horseback Trail Rides 
• Crafts 
• Archery 
• Sports & Games 
• MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

Adventure Guides periodically have special weekends at Camp Timbers. 
Check here for scheduled events and a downloadable flyers.

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Labor Day Family Vacation

Fun & Fellowship for campers of all ages at a Family-Friendly price.
Stay in our beautiful cabins, make your own schedule. 
Let the camp staff entertain you - leave the cooking and cleaning to us.

Save the 1st weekend in September 2010
 View Download the 2009 Family Camp Brochure   Sample from 2009

CIT (Counselor in Training)

• Participants receive training and develop leadership skills, group facilitation skills, activity skills, and team building strategies specific to our summer camp needs. Many of the skills will transfer to leadership opportunities outside of camp as well.
• 18-day program commitment
• For teens entering grades 11+
• Leadership emphasis also includes off-camp adventure trip

Teen Quest

• Participants participate in select camp activities, leadership development training, and service-learning experiences.
• 12-day program commitment - beginning in 2010 this is a 6-day program commitment
• For teens entering grades 10+

Herter Music Camp

• Full Concert Band Camp for grades 6-8
• Professionally led by Herter Music Center and regional band directors and music teachers.
• Sectional Instruction, Clinicians, Guest Musicians

The YMCA and Camp Timbers partner with experts in select niches in order to provide expertise to a specific camp program. These niche camp programs are really a ‘camp within a camp’ and are not offered every camp session. The following fit into the time period of a typical day right after lunch, from about 12:45 - 3 pm, when our Y-Camp staff provide supervision and our professional partners provide and deliver the content of the special niche camp program.

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Young Innovators Camp

• Featuring Math, Science, and Technology curriculum.
• Provided by Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation.
• Learning Sessions led by guest lecturers
• Directed Projects using Math, Science, and Technology
• Outdoor & Leadership Experiences
• Environmental Impact Service
• Community Based Service Learning
• Integration into other camp activities

YMCA Sharks Swim Camp

• Professional Instruction by Y-Sharks coach Chet Swanton
• Daily Conditioning
• Team Building
• Daily Stroke Clinic
• Athletic Lifestyle Coaching
• Integration into other camp activities
• For more information about Y-Sharks, please visit   http://www.saginawsharks.com/

Challenger British Soccer Camp

• Half-day instructional camp
• Integration into other camp activities
• For more information, please visit             www.challengersports.com

Happy Feet Run-Fit Camp  

• Professional coaching by local runners, educators, and moms Roxanne Menapace and Kaly LeBourdais.
• National program developed by Carol Goodrow (author, kids running advocate and 1994 teacher of the year).
• Exercise & healthy eating habits
• Goal setting for fitness and for life
• Arts / Literacy / Math Components
• Integration into other camp activities
• For more information, please visit              http://kidsrunning.com/

Laf-Lines Creative Writing Camp

• Professionally led by Dan Lafferty, Bay City Public Schools English Teacher and Camp Timbers alumni camper/staff member.
• Explore imaginative writing through several literary genres
• Develop the creative & analytical process of writing
• Daily guided writing workshops
• Instructor Evaluations & group editing sessions
• Creative presentations
• Integration into other camp activities

• Our traditional YMCA values-based summer camp experience.
• Safe, Fun, Teachable Moments
• More Activity, More Outdoors, More Creative Outlets
• YMCA Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Spirit
• Small, Family-Like, Group Work Philosophy
• Campers experience all core camp activities as a cabin group and select one specialty focus (Odyssey).

Cabin Groupings

• Designed for small group participation 
• 8-10 campers with their 2-counselors 
• Grouped by grade entering after camp 
• Campers may request cabin-mates

Core Camp Activities

• Horseback Riding
• Swimming
• Teams Course
• Boating
• Nature
• Crafts
• Fishing
• Music/Drama
• Sports & Games
• Sled Tube
• Climbing Grotto
• Climbing Tower
• Mountain Biking
• High Ropes / Zip-Line
• Watersports

Specialty Programs

Parents and Campers Please Note:  Some options offered vary drastically from year to year dependent on the area of strength for the seasonal staff hired.  Please check back close to start of our camp season to see what choices we plan to offer to your camper upon arrival.  For example:  In 2008 we were able to offer 'Native American Ways' and in 2009 a 'Star Wars' theme was very popular. 

• Camper's choice, up to 2-Specialty Programs per session 
• Focus on skill development and mastery 
• Campers will select upon arrival at camp
• Exception is Ranch/Horse Care. Must pre-register. Space is limited. 

Special Options (Odyssey) in Resident Camp

• Campers select one Odyssey specialty per session.
• Odyssey period is 2.5 hours daily each afternoon.
• Focus is on skill development & mastery.
• Campers select Odyssey activity upon arrival at camp
  • except for ‘partner camp’ programs and Boots & Saddles with limited enrollment.
• Based on demand, we will offer up to 15 Odyssey programs per camp session.
• Activities available as specialty Odyssey options are identified on the Specialty Odyssey Activity List

Specialty Odyssey Activities List: 

• Traditional:
  • Boots & Saddles
  • Watersports
  • Nature
  • Cooking
  • Fishing
  • Climbing
  • Target Sports
• Noggin Camps:
  • Young Innovators *NEW 2009*
  • Creative Writing *NEW*
  • eMedia Camp
  • Construction
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Music & Drama
  • Michigan History
  • Creative Problem Solving
• Sports & Fitness:
  • YMCA Competitive Swim Camp        http://www.saginawsharks.com/
  • Challenger British Soccer Camp      http://www.challengersports.com/
  • Backpacking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Sports & Games Sampler
  • Dance
  • Happy Feet Run-Fit Camp *NEW 2009*    http://www.kidsrunning.com/

Daily Schedule Sample at Camp Timbers

7:00 am	Wake Up
7:45 -  8:00 am	Flag Raising & Morning Watch
8:00 am	Breakfast
8:45 - 10:00 am	Cabin Activity 1
10:00 - 10:15 am	Transition
10:15 - 11:45 am	Cabin Activity 2
11:45 am	Round Up
12:00 pm	Lunch
12:45 - 3:00 pm	Specialty Period
3:00 -  3:15 pm	Cool Break
3:15 -  4:15 pm	Rest Period
4:15 -  5:15 pm	Cabin Activity 3
5:15 pm	Round-Up & Flag Lowering
5:30 pm	Dinner
6:15 -  7:15 pm	Hang - Time
7:15 -  7:30 pm	Transition
7:30 -  9:00 pm	All Camp Game, Unity Activity or Cabin Special Event
9:00 - 10:00 pm	Cabin Time & Shower Time
10:30 pm	Lights Out !

We've got camping opportunities for people of all ages!

• Summer Resident Camp (for youth and teens)
• Specialty Camps (Soccer, Music, Entrepreneurship, etc.)
• Teen Camps
• Family Camps (Labor Day, Family Reunion, etc.)
• Group Camping (Business, Church, etc.)
• Special Events

Check out our Friends of Camp Timbers Facebook Page!

• Saginaw YMCA
• American Camp Association
• Michigan YMCA Camps
• ACA Parents
• Camp Spirit

• Friends of Camp Timbers on Facebook 
  

Click for Details on the next alumni event

A growing number of Y-Camp Timbers and O-Ge-Maw-Ke alumniare remaining involved with camp events and camp friends year-round.

To register as an alumni, just send an email with: 

Subject:  Camp Timbers Alumni

Your current contact information,

The year(s) you were at camp

..... and whether you were a camper or staff member to

Steve@saginawymca.org

Hint:  We do most of our hiring for the summer season very early in the Spring!

Now hiring for spring + summer 2010.  Make a difference in the world through the lives of children. Caring, creative, enthusiastic role models only need apply.

Summer camp employment is from June 11 - July 31.

Limited pre-season employment is available between April 28 – June 10.

Limited post-season employment is available between August 1 - 28.

For an application and brief descriptions of positions and experience requirements, please send an email inquiry to our Camp Director, Steve Meyer, at the link below:
Contact our Camp Director  

Coming soon .... link to

Fall 2009 Camp Timbers Newsletter

• Special resident camp pricing 
• Y Member family fun days 
• Y Member weekend retreats
  

• Carefully Selected staff 
• Variety of backgrounds, diverse 
• Highly trained and certified where applicable 
• Many pursuing education, social work, or recreation degrees 
• Specialized staff for activities 
• Provide 1:4 supervision ration 
• CPR & First Aid certified
  

Interested in Becoming Part of our Staff at Camp Timbers ? 

CLICK for job postings

• 300 private, wooded acres 
• Beautiful spring fed lake 
• Abundant natural wildlife habitat 
• Comfortable, modern cabins with built-in bunks 
• Clean, modern restrooms with private stalls 
• Nutritious family-style meals in our Main Lodge
  

• Accredited by the American Camp Association 
• Licensed by the State of Michigan 
• Adherence to YMCA Model Practices for Camping 
• Local Health Department and Fired Safety Inspections 
• 24-Hour On-Site Camp Nurse 
• On-Call Physician in nearby West Branch 
• Local EMS access and regional hospital
  

Mission Statement: The YMCA of Saginaw is an association of all people united in a common effort to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that enrich the spirit, mind and body for all.

Camp Philosophy:

• Small-Group / family like structure 
• YMCA Values emphasized & practiced 
• Campers grow in community / social skills 
• Campers grow through new experiences 
• Meaningful time to build lasting friendships 

The Saginaw YMCA has been taking children camping for over 100 years. Through our camping programs we provide safe, fun, teachable moments in a beautiful, active, outdoor setting. As you may know, experts say that kids today need more outdoor experiences, more movement based activities and more creative outlets. We provide all of these at Y-Camp Timbers and all under the careful supervision and leadership of talented and responsible staff. Finally, our campers have many opportunities to develop new and better friendships and to grow as leaders.

Our resident camp program is built on traditional values and Christian principles. The Camp Timbers staff team provides opportunities for children to grow as leaders themselves, as they experience a wide variety of safe activities. Campers gain an expanded view of the world by meeting and interacting with staff from across the country and around the world. These are just a few examples of ways for campers to develop meaningful relationships and lifelong bonds with others who share the camp experience.

Located north of West Branch, Michigan, near Clear Lake, Camp Timbers is a natural treasure. Our private 300-acre settling features beautiful rolling hills and dense forest surrounding our private Piper Lake. Camp’s accreditation and licensing helps to ensure a quality and safe camping experience.

• Located on 300 acres of beautiful rolling terrain in West Branch, MI 
• Densely covered with pine and hardwood forests 
• Property surrounds our own private 30 acre Piper Lake 
• Professional leadership and high quality staff 
• Caring family atmosphere 
• Exciting and challenging activities 
• Cabins with separate modern bathrooms 
• Owned and operated by the YMCA of Saginaw