What parents write about their kids’ counselors
Every family fills out a survey at the end of their camper’s week. They rarely write about the zipline.
They write about the person who ran the cabin: the one who learned their kid’s name on the first afternoon, sat on the end of a bunk at midnight, and sent home a twelve-year-old who would not stop talking about it. Those surveys are where you find out what this job actually is.
Everything below is a real response, trimmed for length in a few places and otherwise exactly as it was written.
Six years, and one pair of pink banana pants
Madison has been coming to Timber-lee for six years. This is the part she tells.
“I first came to Timber-lee six years ago, and my counselor, Annie, quickly became my favorite. She always made me laugh and made sure I was having a good time at camp.
Whenever I needed help, was feeling down, or just needed someone, my counselors were always there for me. One of my favorite memories was showing up one day in a pink banana tank top and realizing Annie had pink banana pants. I was so excited that my favorite counselor had something like mine!
It was a little moment, but it made me feel connected to her and reminded me how much the little things can mean.
Over the years, my relationships with the people at Timber-lee have continued to grow, and camp has helped me grow so much closer to God. Timber-lee will always have a special place in my heart.”
Madison, Timber-lee camper
They remember the name
Ask a camper what they did at camp and you get a list of activities. Ask who they were with and you get a person.
"Kegan was so welcoming and warm. He helped our son Warren feel at ease and even took the time to help celebrate his birthday while at camp. My child came back singing songs and remembered word for word some of the pieces that were shared while at chapel."
Camper parent, Week 1, 2022
"All in all, my kid RAVED about how great camp was! Gabe was great with his group of campers! They scored the clean cabin award 2x, named themselves the Goonies, and had endless memories by the end of the week!"
Camper parent, Week 8, 2022
"My son said this was his best summer at Timber-Lee to date! Brandon was very nice and made sure everyone got along. He led them in prayer and told Bible stories for fun."
Camper parent, Week 7, 2022
"Thomas was friendly, supportive, fun and had good stories. My son feels so much better about this upcoming year at middle school based upon the encouragement and support he received from his leaders and peers at Timber-lee."
Camper parent, Week 7, 2022
"Otis’ cabin leader was Sebastian. He really liked him because he was kind and he participated in the activities as well. Otis said he had some pretty ‘active’ boys in his cabin but Sebastian did a good job ‘keeping them in line’."
Camper parent, Week 5, 2025
"The boys said Connor was a ton of fun, high energy, interactive and ‘one of the guys’. Listened openly and was ‘chill’. They felt they could be open and honest with him."
Camper parent, Week 6, 2023
Safe is something a person makes
Homesickness at midnight, a camper who gets sick on Wednesday, a kid who arrives already certain she will hate it. Those are the hours that end up in the surveys.
"Owen did INCREDIBLE with our fun-loving group of campers! He matched their enthusiasm and creativity and was supportive when some of our campers got sick."
Camper parent, Week 7, 2023
"Jakob loved Owen! He was playful but was able to help when some of the boys struggled."
Camper parent, Week 4, 2023
"Charlotte loved spending the week with Caitlyn. Charlotte felt safe with Caitlyn."
Camper parent, Week 1, 2023
"My daughter is usually pretty shy but this is her favorite week of the year! So much positive growth occurs at Timber-Lee in the disguise of fun!"
Camper parent, Week 8, 2025
Conversations that keep going
What happens in a cabin does not stay in the cabin; it turns up at a kitchen table three days later, in a question the parents were not expecting.
"Suzanna was fantastic! She was patient and caring, she shared her faith and truly changed our daughter’s life by encouraging her and sharing her own experiences. My daughter will not forget the time she spent at camp timberlee and suzanna."
Camper parent, Week 2, 2023
"Brandon was amazing! He was present for drop-off and answered our questions! My son came home raving about him! This has enabled us to have more spiritual conversations at home! My son is more engaged with God and loves the experiences he had to bring God to him in an understandable and applicable way."
Camper parent, Week 8, 2022
"We have had many counselors over our years at Timber-lee, and Abigail F was the most incredible, by far! She is so filled with the Spirit and you can see it in all of her interactions. We are beyond blessed that Raegan was paired with Abigail."
Camper parent, Week 2, 2023
"The boys had Sebastian as their counselor this year. Having the opportunity to hear him talk conversationally about his relationship with the Lord was huge for them. Thank you Sebastian!!"
Camper parent, Week 8, 2025
"Ben was amazing. He helped me to get closer to God."
Camper, Week 5, 2025
