We Intentionally Build Character and Confidence
The nurturing of Body, Mind, and Spirit is as crucial now as when Dr. Luther Gulick founded our camp in the late 1800s. A Timanous summer promotes holistic development, allowing campers to grow without school stress or device distractions. Our boys return home with deeper insight into themselves, their relationships, 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.
We Create an Accepting and Supportive Community
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Each Sunday evening, we come together for our traditional Council Fire. Every camper pulls on the same rope to create the spark that lights our fire. This act of unity symbolizes our inclusive camp life—where everyone is valued and belongs. At Timanous, our small size allows us to see each camper's individuality, encouraging them to reach their potential. We uphold kindness and respect, inspiring boys to take risks and explore new interests. Here, campers can truly be themselves while learning about who they are.
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Timanous summers forge lifelong friendships as campers engage deeply with peers in their cabins, meals, and activities. Through shared laughter, challenges, and adventures, each camper becomes part of a close-knit family. These connections offer unwavering support and encouragement, forming a trusted network that is vital for every developmental stage and remains cherished long after camp ends.
We are accredited by the American Camp Association.
We understand the trust families place in us to care for their children, and ensuring a safe environment for our campers and the entire camp community is our top priority. Here's what we offer:
Stringent Safety Measures: Comprehensive safety guidelines for our programs and staff, along with well-rehearsed emergency protocols.
Health Services: A fully equipped health center, staffed by two full-time Resident Nurses (RNs), ensuring immediate medical attention on site.
Access to Medical Facilities:
- A nearby health clinic is readily accessible.
- Paramedic assistance is available within 10 minutes.
- A major hospital is located just 45 minutes away.
Stringent Safety Measures: Comprehensive safety guidelines for our programs and staff, along with well-rehearsed emergency protocols.
Health Services: A fully equipped health center, staffed by two full-time Resident Nurses (RNs), ensuring immediate medical attention on site.
Access to Medical Facilities:
- A nearby health clinic is readily accessible.
- Paramedic assistance is available within 10 minutes.
- A major hospital is located just 45 minutes away.
What is Timanous like?
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At Timanous, campers can be themselves, explore new activities, and forge strong friendships. They immerse in the outdoors, away from school stress, and enjoy unique experiences. We believe they'll discover there's nothing quite like a summer at Timanous.
What are the cabins like?
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 my child feel homesick?
It’s not unusual to miss things from home, but campers 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. There is so much to do and so many great people, your child will 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 40 years and knows what kids like. We eat in the “Barn” and meals are served family style. Campers change tables each week so they meet campers of all ages. A salad bar and vegetarian dishes are offered each meal. Snacks are provided every afternoon. 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 to 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. 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 are there?
All activities are available on a daily basis. We also go swimming at least twice a day. Campers sign up twice a day for activities from fun 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 counseling staff averages over 12 years at camp.The essence of Timanous is reflected in the quality and passionate work of its people. Averaging over 12 summers, the vast majority of our counselors grew up as campers at Timanous themselves. Timanous fostered their growth into compassionate young adults, and now they return to share their knowledge and care with 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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A career educator, John "Mitts" Suitor grew up in Raymond, Maine on the shores of nearby Crescent Lake. He spent a total of 17 years at Timanous, first as a camper and then as a counselor, before his career as an independent school administrator and Head took him away from summers on Panther Pond.
For the past 12 years, John has served as Head of School at Boulder Country Day School, a preschool through 8th grade day school in Boulder, Colorado. He'll continue in that role through the 2024-25 school year, joining the Timanous community for the 2025 camp season. Prior to becoming Head of School at Boulder Country Day, John worked at St. Johnsbury Academy (a 9-12 grade day and boarding school in St. Johnsbury, Vermont), served as Head of School at Long Trail School (a 6-12 grade day school in Dorset, Vermont), and served for 16 years at Foxcroft School (a 9-12 grade girls boarding school in Middleburg, VA). John is profoundly optimistic regarding young people and firmly believes that children of any age have an opportunity to change the world. He and his wife Gail (a champion of neurodiversity) were college sweethearts. They have been married for 34 years and have three daughters: Elizabeth, Madison, and Catherine. John loves the outdoors, travel, and adventure, and is a certified sports nut. He is honored to be a 3rd generation director of Camp Timanous and feels deeply grateful to continue the nearly 90 years of service the Suitor family has devoted to the Timanous community. |
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. 
Jess Simmons Nurse Jess cares for over 800 students at Westbrook Middle School, and works as a cardio-pulmonary nurse in South Portland. |
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! |
