Our Philosophy
The nurturing of Body, Mind and Spirit is as relevant today as it was when first developed by our founder, Dr. Luther Gulick, in the late 1800s. A Timanous summer fosters the time and space for the holistic development of all three elements in our campers. Free from the stressors of school and distractions of devices, our boys return home with greater insights into themselves, their interactions with their peers, and their home communities.
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Body • Mind • Spirit
An active day spent outside on the beautiful shores of Panther Pond keeps the body moving all day, from pre-breakfast dips in the lake to evening activities such as games of soccer, Twilight League softball, or a canoe paddle in the cove. In between, whether at an activity or spontaneously hopping from rock to rock down the wooded path, we revel in the outdoors.
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Body • Mind • Spirit
Our minds stay sharp through quieter times for reading a book or writing letters home. Camping trips inspire us to observe the world around us while being challenged in a new environment. Most of our activities have awards we aspire to, and challenge us to learn new skills, develop our competence, and hone our concentration and maturity.
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Body • Mind • Spirit
We actively promote time for reflection to nurture our spirits, such as our Sunday Chapel and traditional Council Fire. During these times we express gratitude, set goals, and reflect on areas for growth. The stunning natural beauty of a Maine summer helps us become more in tune to the greater world around us while at the same time inspiring a sense of wonder.
You Belong
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Each Sunday evening, we gather as a community at our traditional Council Fire. Every camper pulls on the same rope to create the spark that lights our fire. Everyone is just as included and important in our camp community every day of the week. After a short time here, our campers quickly find Timanous to be a community where they belong. Our small size allows us to recognize our campers for who they are and encourage them to be their best selves. We reward kindness and respect while encouraging boys to take risks and try new things. We are a community where you can be yourself even while you are learning more about yourself.
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Timanous summers form tight bonds. Our campers learn to interact with boys from differing backgrounds while belonging to a supportive and caring community. Summer days filled with laughter, challenges, adventures and hugs develop into bonds that span some of the most important developmental years of our lives. Our Timanous friends were there for us as we became who we are today, from an eight year-old away from home for the first time, to the oldest campers in camp climbing Maine’s tallest mountain, to encouraging each other to become better counselors in the early years of adulthood. All of this can start with a first summer at Timanous.
Accreditation and Healthcare
Timanous is accredited by the American Camp Association and a member of Maine Summer Camps. Stringent safety, program, and staff guidelines are followed. Our well-equipped health center is staffed by two resident full-time Registered Nurses (RNs). We have easy access to a nearby health clinic. Paramedics are 10 minutes away and a major hospital is within 45 minutes. We know that families entrust us with the care of their children, and providing a safe environment for them and our entire camp community is our fundamental focus.
What is Timanous like?
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We know it can be a bit scary to think about coming to camp for the first time, so we've put together a list of answers to questions that new campers might be wondering about. Timanous is a place where you can be yourself, explore new things, and make great friends. Living in the great outdoors, away from the hassles of school life, you can just have fun doing so many things that are not available at home. We think that when you get home you'll agree there is nothing like a summer at Timanous.
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What are the cabins like and who will I be living with?
You will live in a wooden cabin with 12 other boys your age and 4 counselors. You will have a comfortable bed and an area to hang up your stuff and keep your trunk. You may not know anyone at first, but starting on the first day you will make friends with boys from lots of different places, even different countries! Most campers find cabin life one of the highlights of camp. Besides sleeping, we play games, read, tell stories, and learn about the world through other campers and counselors who are always there to help you. Will I be homesick?
It’s not unusual to miss things from home. Any new situation can take getting used to, but you will find people at Timanous friendly, helpful, and supportive. Most of our counselors were campers at Timanous and many of them know how it feels to be homesick. They are there to help you. There is so much to do and so many great people, you’ll be surprised how fast your time goes at Timanous. We have one of the highest return rates of any camp, which should tell you that Timanous is a home away from home for many boys. We share a video with all new campers called The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success, which has some great advice on helping to make the transition to camp easier. Make sure you watch it with your family. How's the food?
Campers love the food! Our chef has been at Timanous for over 30 years and knows what kids like. We eat in the “barn” and meals are served family style. You will change tables each week so you’ll meet campers of all ages. A salad bar and vegetarian dishes are offered each meal. Snacks are provided every afternoon. You will not go hungry at Timanous. There are picnics, Saturday night cookouts, and other special meals throughout the summer. We are a nut-free camp. Special attention is given to our campers with food allergies by our chef and nursing staff to make sure they are not exposed to any potential allergens and that they feel comfortable with our food offerings. What should I bring other than the Timanous outfit?
Everyone wears the Timanous uniforms making it easy to choose what to wear. Accessories like a tennis racquet, baseball glove, sleeping bag, acoustic instrument, or small personal items are welcome. The camp has a supply of most of these items for your use. We do not allow personal electronics and our campers are proud of the fact that personal friendships develop fast and you don't need phones or any other device to have fun. What are the bathrooms and showers like?
Regular bathrooms are located near most cabins with flush toilets and individual stalls. Individual showers are available in the shower house and each cabin takes at least three showers a week. The bathrooms and shower house all have electricity and lights so you can see at night. What activities can I do?
You can do everything. If you feel comfortable, all activities are available to you on a daily basis. We go swimming every day, and you get choose your activity in the morning and again in the afternoon from cool options like:
We also go on camping trips to amazing places all over Maine, and have a blast with special activities like capture the flag! How do you see without electricity in the cabin?
All the cabins have kerosene lanterns but everybody brings a flashlight or headlamp. After a few nights, most campers become very comfortable with navigating the dark. |
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Our CounselorsThe essence of Timanous is reflected in the quality and passionate work of its people. Averaging well over 10 summers, the vast majority of our counselors grew up as campers at Timanous themselves. Timanous inspired their growth and development into caring young adults, and now they return to give of themselves to our campers.
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We find ways to teach about life in everything we do, from developing new skills at activities, overcoming challenges on camping trips, and living well in a community with cabin-mates. Our counselors have a sincere interest in our campers and their character development, and in returning year after year they show their deep investment in continuing this tradition. This uncommon dedication is a clear indication of the Timanous spirit and contributes to a feeling of continuity, which is a supportive and comforting environment for first-year and long-time campers alike.
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Meet the Director
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Camp Director Garth Altenburg has over thirty years of camping experience. He was previously the director at Camp Chewonki and also taught middle school in Maine for ten years. Garth serves on the boards of Maine Summer Camps and American Camp Association New England. Most importantly, Garth loves working with campers and counselors alike, has a contagious enthusiasm for camp, and believes deeply in the impact of the Timanous experience.
Garth is supported by Consulting Directors Dave and Linda Suitor, who ran Timanous for over three decades. In 2018, camp transitioned to a nonprofit organization governed by the Board of Trustees. |
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Senior Staff
Timanous has a long tradition of being led by educators. Our most recent summer leadership team has six current or former teachers on staff. Timanous is lucky to have a dedicated and loyal senior staff full of experienced educators, team leaders and most importantly campers at heart. The tenure at this group averages over 20 years at Timanous. As our head chef Bob likes to say, Timanous is a Family, with a capital "F".
Brooks Moriarty Senior Assistant Camp Director Brooks is Dean of Students at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH. He also serves as our Waterfront Director. |
Nick Leyden Assistant Director, Program and Staff Nick is the Director of Studies at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA, where he also teaches and coaches. |
Jack Leyden Head of Counseling Staff "Pineman" was a long-time boarding school teacher and administrator, most recently at Southwestern Academy. |
Heidi Krieger Office Manager & Family Liaison Heidi joins Timanous after many years in youth camping and education. She works year-round with camp's administration. |
Fred Lehmann Aides Program Leader Fred is a business and economics teacher at Wayland High School in Wayland, MA. He mentors our counselors in training. |
Jen Leachko Nurse Jen is a Certified School Nurse. After finishing her Masters in Ed., Jen is pursuing post-grad education at Eastern University. |
Jason LeVasseur Special Events Jason is a student leadership keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, and coordinates special events at camp. |
Will Schoder Development & Marketing Assistant Will is a professional animator and videographer. He considers camp home and is excited to give back to the place that had the biggest impact on his life. |
Bob Simmons Food Services Director Bob retired after 36 years teaching at the Durham Community School. He's been here just as long, and isn't going anywhere! |
Jess Simmons
Nurse
Jess cares for over 800 students at Westbrook Middle School, and works as a cardio-pulmonary nurse in South Portland.
