Activities at Timber Lake Camp
At Timber Lake Camp, every day is filled with opportunities for campers to try something new, build confidence, and have fun with friends. From athletics, waterfront adventures, and outdoor challenges to creative arts, technology, and hands-on electives, our summer camp activities are designed to help campers discover their interests, strengthen their skills, and make unforgettable memories in a safe, supportive camp community. Timber Lake’s program emphasizes friendship, self-esteem, confidence, resilience, and a wide variety of activity choices throughout the day.
Athletics & Fitness Activities
Timber Lake Camp’s athletics and fitness program gives campers the chance to build skills, confidence, sportsmanship and teamwork through a wide variety of traditional camp sports, clinics and active electives. From team games to individual fitness, campers can stay active while having fun with friends on TLC’s beautiful Catskills campus.
- Basketball: Campers build shooting, passing and teamwork skills on the court.
- Roller Hockey: A fast-paced activity that encourages coordination, confidence and team play.
- Baseball: Campers practice hitting, fielding and game fundamentals.
- Softball: A classic camp sport focused on teamwork, skill-building and fun.
- Soccer: Campers develop footwork, passing, shooting and field awareness.
- Flag Football: A fun, active way to learn strategy, teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Tennis: Campers improve serves, volleys, footwork and match play.
- Golf: Campers learn putting, chipping, driving and course basics.
- Lacrosse: An energetic field sport focused on stick skills and teamwork.
- Gymnastics: Campers build strength, flexibility, balance and confidence.
- Fitness: A supportive way to build strength, endurance and healthy habits.
- Sports Clinics: Focused instruction helps campers improve specific athletic skills.
- Aerobics: A high-energy fitness activity that builds stamina and coordination.
- Cheerleading: Campers combine movement, rhythm, spirit and teamwork.
- Martial Arts: Campers develop focus, discipline, coordination and confidence.
- Rollerblading: A fun activity for balance, movement and outdoor fitness.
- Spin Class: Campers build endurance through upbeat indoor cycling.
- Yoga: A calming activity focused on flexibility, balance and mindfulness.
- Zumba: Campers enjoy music, movement and energetic group fitness.
Waterfront Activities
With a heated outdoor pool and two private, spring-fed lakes in the heart of camp, Timber Lake Camp’s waterfront program is a favorite part of the summer experience. Campers enjoy swimming, boating and lake activities with a strong focus on safety, skill development and fun.
- Heated Pool: The heated pool is a favorite spot for swim instruction, free swim and relaxing fun on warm summer days.
- Two Private, Spring-Fed Lakes: TLC’s two private lakes create a beautiful Catskills setting for boating, paddling and classic waterfront adventure.
- Waterskiing: Waterskiing gives campers the thrill of gliding across the lake while building balance, strength and confidence.
- Wakeboarding: Wakeboarding challenges campers to develop coordination and courage as they learn new skills on the water.
- Canoeing: Canoeing helps campers practice paddling, teamwork and lake safety while exploring the waterfront.
- Kayaking: Kayaking gives campers a fun, active way to move across the lake while building independence and paddling skills.
- Boating: Boating activities let campers enjoy time on Timber Lake’s private lakes while learning safety and confidence on the water.
- Water Trampoline: The water trampoline adds high-energy fun to the lake, giving campers a playful place to jump, laugh and cool off.
- Water Slide: The water slide brings excitement to the waterfront and is a memorable part of summer fun at camp.
- Paddle-boarding: Paddle-boarding helps campers build balance, core strength and confidence while enjoying the calm of the lake.
Adventure Activities
Timber Lake Camp’s adventure program is designed around individual accomplishment, teamwork and outdoor exploration. From ropes courses and zip lines to hiking, biking and campfires, campers can stretch their comfort zones while making unforgettable Catskills memories.
- High & Low Ropes Course: The ropes course helps campers build trust, problem-solving skills and confidence through exciting team challenges.
- Zip Line: The zip line gives campers the thrill of soaring through the trees while experiencing a true Timber Lake adventure.
- Climbing Wall: The climbing wall challenges campers to set goals, build strength and celebrate each new accomplishment.
- Mountain Biking: Mountain biking lets campers ride through wooded trails while building endurance, balance and outdoor confidence.
- Fishing: Fishing gives campers a peaceful way to connect with nature and enjoy time by the lake.
- Hiking & Pioneering: Hiking and pioneering encourage campers to explore the outdoors, develop practical skills and appreciate the Catskills setting.
- Camping: Camping gives campers a classic overnight adventure filled with independence, friendship and outdoor fun.
- Campfire & S’mores: Campfire and s’mores bring campers together for stories, laughter and meaningful summer memories under the stars.
- Geocaching: Geocaching turns camp into an outdoor treasure hunt, helping campers use navigation, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Creative Arts Activities
Timber Lake Camp’s creative arts activities give campers space to express themselves, try new skills and discover new interests. Whether performing on stage, working with their hands or creating something original, campers can build confidence through imagination and self-expression.
- Theater: Theater gives campers the chance to perform, collaborate and build confidence through acting and stage productions.
- Dance: Dance lets campers explore rhythm, movement and creativity while learning routines and expressing themselves.
- Music: Music activities help campers develop performance skills, creativity and confidence through rhythm, melody and collaboration.
- Photography: Photography encourages campers to capture camp memories, explore visual storytelling and see Timber Lake from a creative perspective.
- Culinary Arts: Culinary arts lets campers learn kitchen skills, try new recipes and enjoy the fun of creating something delicious.
- Candlemaking: Candlemaking gives campers a hands-on creative project where they can design and craft something unique.
- Ceramics: Ceramics allows campers to shape, paint and create lasting pieces through clay and imagination.
- Macrame: Macrame teaches campers knotting techniques while creating decorative handmade projects.
- Painting: Painting gives campers the freedom to explore color, technique and personal expression.
- Jewelry Making: Jewelry making lets campers design wearable keepsakes while developing patience, creativity and fine motor skills.
- Woodshop: Woodshop gives campers the opportunity to build, sand and create hands-on projects with care and craftsmanship.
- Costume Design: Costume design lets campers combine creativity, storytelling and style to help bring performances and characters to life.
- Knitting & Crocheting: Knitting and crocheting offer campers a relaxing, skill-building activity where they can create handmade pieces.
Communication, Design & Technology Activities
Timber Lake Camp’s communication, design and technology electives give campers a creative way to explore media, innovation and digital skills. These activities help campers experiment with storytelling, broadcasting, robotics, programming and design in a fun camp environment. Timber Lake specifically highlights communications, design and technology as part of its elective program.
- Television & Film: Television and film gives campers the chance to create, perform, film and edit their own camp-inspired media projects.
- Radio Broadcasting: Radio broadcasting helps campers develop communication skills, confidence and creativity behind the microphone.
- Digital Design: Digital design lets campers explore visual creativity through technology, layout, graphics and digital projects.
- Robotics: Robotics introduces campers to building, coding and problem-solving through hands-on technology challenges.
- Computer Programming: Computer programming helps campers learn logic, creativity and coding fundamentals in an engaging camp setting.
- 3D Design & Printing: 3D design and printing lets campers bring ideas to life by designing digital models and creating physical objects.
Frequently Asked Questions about Activities at Timber Lake Camp
Timber Lake Camp offers athletics, waterfront, adventure, creative arts, electives, special events and teen programming. Campers follow a balanced daily schedule with athletics, waterfront time and two elective periods, so they can try new activities while still enjoying classic sleepaway camp structure.
Yes. Tuition includes all regular camp activities, plus canteen, laundry, linen service and roundtrip bus transportation from the Tri-State area.
Timber Lake Camp is a traditional co-ed sleepaway camp for campers ages 7 to 16 with 7-week-long sessions.
Timber Lake Camp is located at 354 Timber Lake Road in Shandaken, New York. The camp sits on 500 secluded acres in the Catskill Mountains, about 2.5 hours from New York City.
Parents can send mail and email campers through CampInTouch or the Campanion app. Emails are printed and delivered with regular mail. Campers may also make four scheduled phone calls during the summer.
Each bunk has two general counselors and one specialty counselor. General counselors spend the day with their campers, while specialty staff help lead activity areas with instruction, coaching and supervision.
TLC believes in giving campers an “unplugged” camp experience. Electronics are limited, and approved devices may only be used during rest hour or before bed. This helps campers focus on friendships, activities and camp life.
