Hello camp families! My name is Jeff Melrose, and I’m the Program Director for camp this summer. In the off-season, I serve the community of Glencoe, IL, as a Project Lead the Way (STEM) teacher for their K-4 students. At camp, as program director, my job involves creating the framework for scheduling all campers into daily activities, assigning staff to lead those activities, and building the camp calendar. Additionally, I develop special, spectacular evening programs and special events. I am fortunate to have two counselors, each with over 10 years of experience, supporting me. I’ve been working at Timberlane since my first summer as a new staff member in 1993. It has been a real privilege to be part of this place for over half of camp’s history.
June 18 2025 – First Day of Activities
Today, the staff’s efforts to prepare for a typical day of camp finally came to fruition. We had a hearty camp breakfast, cleaned up the cabins, and then got started with a full day of activities. The ski boats resumed their routes around the lake, and campers and counselors could be heard from the office celebrating successful first ski runs of the summer. Our mountain biking classes passed through the middle of camp on the brand-new bikes, and we were reminded it is probably a good idea to take the bells off sometime soon. After a grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch, the campers and staff got some much-needed rest, and then activity resumed. The pickleball courts were PACKED, and the first ascents of the climbing tower were seen and heard from around the athletic field. Truly, the place was buzzing with activity, and excitement and joy were everywhere. It was a fantastic first day. Sunny and mid-70s weather only added to the magic.
After dinner, we ended the night with our first round of Blue and White Games, where the camp is divided up into smaller teams playing traditional sports like basketball and soccer but also less-traditional ones like trampball and spikeball. We wrapped up the evening with a very tired, but definitely happy, group of young men headed to bed. Tomorrow, we expect more of the same, and that feels just fine to us.
Being Program Director is a busy job, and the last few days I’ve seen a lot more of my office dealing with the logistics of summer camp scheduling than I’d like, but the view of my window is our camp athletic fields. After seeing today’s adventures from my window, and then spending time with the boys during evening program, I can say this: it’s all worthwhile when the payoff is a day like today. Here’s to many more to come over the next eight weeks!!
Have a great week. Thank you for entrusting your boys to us. It is an honor, and it is appreciated.
Best wishes,
Jeff Melrose
Program Director