2019: A Fantastic First Summer as a Nonprofit

9/9/2019

The Timanous spirit is as strong as ever, and it was another amazing summer for the group of happy boys who lived on the shores of Panther Pond. After a rainy opening day, there was abundant sunshine, and the heat wave that lingered was just fine having the lake to cool off in during the day. Throughout all seven weeks, campers had tons of fun— and learned new skills—at activities like swimming, riflery, archery, sailing, soccer, and more. They tested themselves and experienced the beautiful and rugged nature of remote spaces all across Maine on camping trips. They learned to live under one roof with others, and bonded with old and new friends. In short, it was a typically fantastic summer at Timanous.

For many, 2019 was an exciting milestone in the history of our camp, with the changes in leadership and the first summer operating as a nonprofit foundation. Garth Altenburg thrived in his first year as Director. He was constantly learning about Timanous ways and traditions and openly and warmly embraced by the camp community. Dave and Linda Suitor were there every step of the way, supporting Garth and the whole camp with their vast experience and deep connection to all things Timanous.

The meaningful traditions we all know and love carried on: Council Fire and Chapel, restful evenings in the cabins with stories told by lantern light, and walking down the wooded bunkline path with a friend. We also held our first ever Culture Day, where we celebrated the many different backgrounds represented here at camp, which will hopefully become a new tradition. Each meal in the barn featured cuisine from a different country, with flags hanging from the rafters. The annual Talent Show that night included many campers performing songs and skits that offered glimpses into their cultural backgrounds.

When we posted the story of Culture Day with this photo on Facebook, a recent camper and counselor responded: “AMAZING initiative!!! So glad to hear of what camp is doing these days!” This idea resonated with earlier eras as well, with an alum from the ‘80s commenting, “What an awesome idea. I remember well my friends from Colombia, Italy and Venezuela in my years at Timanous. Would have been great to learn more about their cultures at the time.” The whole day served as an opportunity for campers and counselors alike to appreciate one of the elements of the diversity here at Timanous, while still recognizing that we’re all here together as one cohesive community.

Tattersall Fund Update

We are committed to doing more to increase the focus of diversity, equity and inclusion here at Timanous. As a nonprofit foundation, one key objective is to grow our financial aid capacity in order to provide a summer camp experience for boys who wouldn’t otherwise have such an opportunity.

We also believe Sandy would be pleased (and maybe even a little proud) that the financial aid fund that now bears his name has been so generously supported by the extended Timanous community. Indeed, we believe he would be very satisfied to learn that, as of this July, the fund has received over $1 million in donations and pledges! Who would have thought a few short years ago that our alumni and parents would be able to raise enough capital not only to purchase the camp, but also to create a million dollar endowment for our financial aid program. We should all feel extremely gratified to have reached this amazing moment in Timanous history! Thank you to all of the people who so generously supported camp in reaching both of these milestones.

While the entire Timanous family should be proud of the commitment to growing Sandy’s Fund, we also want to make sure to recognize all of the boys who were able to attend camp through financial assistance provided in past years, as well as this one. We’re grateful for the ability to give the gift of the Timanous experience to all these boys; just as importantly, camp as a whole gained so much from the presence of these boys, who contributed so much to the fabric of our community.

An Annual Fund for Financial Aid

Second Century Campaign Update

As we look ahead to summer 2020—our second season as a nonprofit—we will ensure that our financial aid capacity matches our mission to serve even more of these boys and their families. As a solid foundation, we have a $1 million endowment that is earmarked to provide income in perpetuity. We can now turn our attention to an annual appeal to raise the additional funds needed for 2020 financial aid commitments. Given the wonderful track record of annual support from the hundreds of supporters to the Timanous financial aid program, we are hopeful that the Timanous family will continue this tradition. We look forward to sharing details of our Annual Fund program in our next newsletter.

The Power of Continuity

Recognizing Long-Standing Staff Service

One of the most important ingredients of a Timanous summer has been the ongoing and impressive continuity the counseling staff has maintained. This summer was yet another example of this, with exceptional counselors who possessed tangible passion for Timanous and a clear concern for the boys under their supervision.

At the Banquet ceremony on the final day of camp, one of the most striking symbols of this demonstrably strong counselor loyalty was evident when Garth, Dave and Linda awarded service medals to staff members who have achieved a significant milestone in the number of summers each has been at camp.

The value of a dedicated staff is clear to everyone. After a post this summer about the creativity and energy of the counselors, a parent commented, “My son was a camper and is now a counselor. I love how it pushes him to always set a good example because those little eyes are always watching.” In the eyes of an alum, the counselors serve as the “heartbeat of the camp,” and are the ones that make “the campers and their Timanous experiences so special. Those summers I spent in Raymond, Maine are very special to me.”

Thank you to all of the counselors who made 2019 special for the campers. We’re sure that most counselors will return again next year. Thank you to all of the families who shared your sons with us this summer. Most of all, thank you to the boys in green and gray who make Timanous hum with energy, growth, and joy. See you in 2020!

2019 Service Medal Recipients

35 Years: Bob Simmons
30 Years: Jason LeVasseur
20 Years: Mike Congleton, Jimmy Poulin, Jess Simmons
15 Years: Grant Burgess, Pat Hayes, Fred Lehmann
10 Years: Will Danforth, Mark Figge, Jack Neafsey, Ryan Neafsey, Kasey Suitor, Andy Thompson, George Walker

Each service medal is a replica of the Timanous triangle of Body, Mind and Spirit

Timanews