Summer 2010: As first time Timbers campers, Brendan attended Camp Timbers for band camp and she said that it was the best experience they have ever had at any camp. She had great things to say about the camp staff and said that they made her feel very comfortable with sending her children away for a week. They were so impressed that they registered Brendan to attend an additional week. She sends her compliments to the staff and is looking very forward to Brendan spending another week with them.
Great job camp staff and keep up the good work! ♥
Boots & Saddles: Campers 10 and older who choose this add-on program "adopt" a horse for the week.
They spend 2.5 hours at the ranch every day after lunch doing all things related to horses: Grooming, Saddling, Care, Feeding, A lot of time in the saddle riding trails and in our lesson ring. We ride only Western style.
The campers learn a lot, practice a lot, have fun, and also accept some of the responsibilities associated with horses. It's a great experience. Campers often want to spend some additional time with "their horse" and we accommodate that with early morning feeding and evening feeding, plus do a special "lunch on the trail" picnic in the woods. Boots & Saddle is really like a camp experience within a camp experience.
On your next vist to Camp Timbers (might I suggest Women's Get-Away in the Spring), take I-75 north to exit 212 (West Branch). Turn right toward West Branch. Pass through 3 traffic lights. At the 4th traffic light (Fairview Road), turn right. Follow Fairview Road 5 miles to the top of a BIG hill. Turn left onto Clear Lake Road. Follow Clear lake Road for 5 miles to Clear Lake. Turn right onto Horseshoe Lake Road. Follow Horseshoe Lake Road for 1 mile to the camp entrance. Stay right on camp drive to the main lodge parking area.
NOTE: We DO NOT recommend web based directions in this case. There is a problem with the towers recognizing Camp Timbers address.
Driving Directions from South
I-75 north to exit 212 (West Branch). Turn right toward West Branch. Pass through 3 traffic lights. At the 4th traffic light (Fairview Road), turn right. Follow Fairview Road 5 miles to the top of a BIG hill. Turn left onto Clear Lake Road. Follow Clear lake Road for 5 miles to Clear Lake. Turn right onto Horseshoe Lake Road. Follow Horseshoe Lake Road for 1 mile to the camp entrance. Stay right on camp drive to the main lodge parking area.
Choose one of our pre-designed programs or meet with a Camp Timbers representative to design your own unique camp experience.
YMCA Camp Timbers is available also for year-round to host group camping events for:
School Groups
Church Retreats
Scout Groups
Sports Teams
Family Events
Reunions
Receptions
Company Picnics
Birthday Parties
Let us help plan your next group outing, weekend or mid-week. We can provide program staff and the food service to meet your group needs. Please call (989) 753-7721 for information on rates and available dates.
Team Building
Don't just get away - Get Results! Our group-building programs are designed to develop productive teams. Learn how engaging in active teamwork and team play can lead to team unity, better cooperation and communications, increased trust and respect, and even impact the bottom line.
Take a hike - Get acquainted with an old relative, Mother Nature. The beauty of our property is unforgettable, and a rich wildlife habitat. Discover the balanced habitats of our hardwood and coniferous forests, lake, marsh, and bog wetlands, and upland prairies, all on 300 private acres of rolling terrain.
Programs Include:
Bog Studies
Beaver Pond
Birding
Forest Ecology
Forest Management
Trailside Nature Center
Interpretive Trail System
Living History
You've read about it - So experience it here! Take a trip back in time and experience the rigors that our ancestors faced as this great territory was discovered, settled, and made productive. You're sure to learn a bit about yourself, as well as develop a greater appreciation for our place in the community today.
Programs Include:
Pioneer Life
Piper's Past Logging Camp
Natural History Museum
The Native Woodland Tribes
A Trapper's Tales
On-Site Archeological Digs
Have Fun
Come out and play - Seriously! You can relax and leave the planning to us. We are happy to host you, our guests, and allow you to make the most of your time at our outdoor center.
Fun & Fellowship for campers of all ages at a Family-Friendly price. Stay in our beautiful cabins, make your own schedule. Let the camp staff entertain you - leave the cooking and cleaning to us.
Participants receive training and develop leadership skills, group facilitation skills, activity skills, and team building strategies specific to our summer camp needs. Many of the skills will transfer to leadership opportunities outside of camp as well.
18-day program commitment
For teens entering grades 11+
Leadership emphasis also includes off-camp adventure trip
Teen Quest
Participants participate in select camp activities, leadership development training, and service-learning experiences.
12-day program commitment - beginning in 2010 this is a 6-day program commitment
For teens entering grades 10+
Herter Music Camp
June 20-26, 2010
Full Concert Band Camp for grades 6-8
Professionally led by Herter Music Center, regional band directors, music teachers.
The YMCA and Camp Timbers partner with experts in select niches in order to provide expertise to a specific camp program. These niche camp programs are really a ‘camp within a camp’ and are not offered every camp session. The following fit into the time period of a typical day right after lunch, from about 12:45 - 3 pm, when our Y-Camp staff provide supervision and our professional partners provide and deliver the content of the special niche camp program.
2010 Band Camp Saturday Pick Up Details:
Concert pickup details. We were informed that in some of the camper confirmation packets the Saturday pick up and concert details were omitted. Here are the important pick up notes:
Campers, including their gear and instruments, will be at Kirtland College following the concert.
You do not need to come back to Camp Timbers.
Please arrive at Kirtland College at 9:30am allowing time to sign out your camper and to be seated. Kirtland College is located a short distance off I-75 exit 222 and there will be signs directing you to the concert.
YMCA Sharks Swim Camp
July 11-16, 2010
Professional Instruction by Y-Sharks coach Chet Swanton
Parents and Campers Please Note: Some options offered vary drastically from year to year dependent on the area of strength for the seasonal staff hired. Please check back close to start of our camp season to see what choices we plan to offer to your camper upon arrival. For example: In 2008 we were able to offer 'Native American Ways' and in 2009 a 'Star Wars' theme was very popular.
Camper's choice, up to 2-Specialty Programs per session
Focus on skill development and mastery
Campers will select upon arrival at camp
Exception is Ranch/Horse Care. Must pre-register. Space is limited.
Special Options (Odyssey) in Resident Camp
Campers select one Odyssey specialty per session.
Odyssey period is 2.5 hours daily each afternoon.
Focus is on skill development & mastery.
Campers select Odyssey activity upon arrival at camp
except for ‘partner camp’ programs and Boots & Saddles with limited enrollment.
Based on demand, we will offer up to 15 Odyssey programs per camp session.
Activities available as specialty Odyssey options are identified on the Specialty Odyssey Activity List
Local Health Department and Fired Safety Inspections
24-Hour On-Site Camp Nurse
On-Call Physician in nearby West Branch
Local EMS access and regional hospital
Camp Timbers Severe Weather Plan
We do have severe weather procedures in place to keep our campers safe. Our staff work to inform the campers of the safety procedures and the appropriate response if severe weather should be present in camp.
Campers are indoors during any electrical activity.
We move to a structurally safe building in the event of tornadic activity.
If we lose power at camp, information will be available by calling our Saginaw YMCA office at 753-7721.
Mission Statement: The YMCA of Saginaw is an association of all people united in a common effort to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that enrich the spirit, mind and body for all.
Camp Philosophy:
Small-Group / family like structure
YMCA Values emphasized & practiced
Campers grow in community / social skills
Campers grow through new experiences
Meaningful time to build lasting friendships
The Saginaw YMCA has been taking children camping for over 100 years. Through our camping programs we provide safe, fun, teachable moments in a beautiful, active, outdoor setting. As you may know, experts say that kids today need more outdoor experiences, more movement based activities and more creative outlets. We provide all of these at Y-Camp Timbers and all under the careful supervision and leadership of talented and responsible staff. Finally, our campers have many opportunities to develop new and better friendships and to grow as leaders.
Our resident camp program is built on traditional values and Christian principles. The Camp Timbers staff team provides opportunities for children to grow as leaders themselves, as they experience a wide variety of safe activities. Campers gain an expanded view of the world by meeting and interacting with staff from across the country and around the world. These are just a few examples of ways for campers to develop meaningful relationships and lifelong bonds with others who share the camp experience.
Located north of West Branch, Michigan, near Clear Lake, Camp Timbers is a natural treasure. Our private 300-acre settling features beautiful rolling hills and dense forest surrounding our private Piper Lake. Camp’s accreditation and licensing helps to ensure a quality and safe camping experience.
Located on 300 acres of beautiful rolling terrain in West Branch, MI
Densely covered with pine and hardwood forests
Property surrounds our own private 30 acre Piper Lake
The YMCA and Camp Timbers partner with experts in select niches in order to provide expertise to a specific camp program. These niche camp programs are really a ‘camp within a camp’ and are not offered every camp session. The following fit into the time period of a typical day right after lunch, from about 12:45 - 3 pm, when our Y-Camp staff provide supervision and our professional partners provide and deliver the content of the special niche camp program.
2010 Band Camp Saturday Pick Up Details:
Concert pickup details. We were informed that in some of the camper confirmation packets the Saturday pick up and concert details were omitted. Here are the important pick up notes:
Campers, including their gear and instruments, will be at Kirtland College following the concert.
You do not need to come back to Camp Timbers.
Please arrive at Kirtland College at 9:30am allowing time to sign out your camper and to be seated. Kirtland College is located a short distance off I-75 exit 222 and there will be signs directing you to the concert.
YMCA Sharks Swim Camp
July 11-16, 2010
Professional Instruction by Y-Sharks coach Chet Swanton
Choose one of our pre-designed programs or meet with a Camp Timbers 
Special resident camp pricing 
Herter Music Camp