Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
THERE'S more to life than video games, CDs and Pokemon. A busload of children from the Ben Parker Summer Fun program found this out a few weeks ago when they arrived at Camp Timberline for a field trip. After grabbing their sleeping bags and backpacks, they settled in for a round of hiking, swimming, camp fires, silly songs and marshmallow roasting.
Camp Timberline in Makakilo
offers a haven away from home ...
and a chance to work some
self-esteem musclesBy Nancy Arcayna
Special to the Star-BulletinWhat's more, the fun isn't restricted to kids. Adults seeking renewal and reprieve from the rigors of day-to-day life can also escape to the camp in the Waianae mountains, long after summer's over.
The camp can accommodate a variety of needs, starting with tent camping for outdoorsy types. Stables and bunkhouses are there for those with medium outdoors tolerances, and for the truly wimpy: "The big two-story house (Hale Ohana) is for people who want to go camping but don't want to rough it," says camp director Amy Haneline. The comfy quarters sleeps 15 to 20 people. There is a living room with a fireplace and a full bathroom, kitchen, and even a washer and dryer.
OFF TO CAMP
Where: Camp Timberline
"Many people come up for a getaway," says Haneline. "We have had weddings, family reunions, and even a reggae retreat," she said. Meeting facilities can accommodate up to 160 people.
"Camp Timberline is unique because it is a mountain camp. Many people say this doesn't even feel like Hawaii. Most camps here are set up on the ocean."
Keiki adventures
The stables are a favorite spot for the kids, says Haneline. These are horse stables that have been converted into bunks. "Each door has a horse's name engraved and the kids love it," she said.During the day, children can participate in a variety of activities from swimming in the pool to learning team-building skills.
Hiking and swimming were Donna York's favorite activities, according to the 10-year old camper from Ben Parker Elementary. "On the hike, we made animals and bugs out of pine cones.
"Roasting marshmallows at the camp fire was lots of fun too," she said.
When the dinner bell rang, patient counselors led the 150 Summer Fun children to a meal of chili, rice and salad.The evening ended with a parade of flashlights to the campfire pit.
Teen programs are also offered. Spirit Camp for ages 10-15 is a summer program designed to inspire responsibility, initiative and teamwork. Teen Scuba Camp is designed for ages 12-17 and provides teens with an opportunity to earn a PADI scuba certificate. The camp includes ocean dives, meals and lodging, transportation, a team challenge and high ropes course, hiking and campfires.
Taking the plunge!
Adults bring more baggage to Timberline's mix of learning and fun than the keiki. Hierarchy, for example, may exist in the workplace but is quickly banished from Camp Timberline's high-ropes course.Participants safely climb a tree to a 30-foot level where they navigate their way from branch to branch on cables. They are harnessed into a safety system comprising pulleys, locks and ropes.
Once they reach the top, they balance with outstretched arms, take a plunge off the tree stump and try to swat a ball, which is dangling in midair.
Corporations often send employees to the campgrounds to engage in the team-challenge course, which promotes team-building skills and emphasizes trust, group dynamics and cohesion. The goal is to get groups to cooperate and communicate. Full- and half-day programs are available."Before you work as a team, you need to be willing to trust one another," said Hayley Kocur, director of High Adventure.
"A blind trust walk, where all participants are blindfolded and need to depend on each other, or night hikes, teach people to have faith in one another," she said.
Groups must complete a variety of team-building activities before moving on to the high-rope challenge.
An office leader may be blindfolded so others get a chance to step forward and convey their ideas, says Haneline.
Sometimes, the boss is made mute or blind and groups of employees are left to solve problems on their own and they do a great job, says Kocur."The course has been completed by high school, athletic, corporate and church groups. It really humbles class structure and roles change dramatically," explains Kocur.
"People let us know what their goals are. It's more about overcoming your fears and letting go of inhibitions ... not just for a rush," she said.
Virginia Tinkey, a first-time participant of the high-ropes course was exhilarated after her experience.
"It's a total adrenaline rush," she said. "The first time I did it I couldn't even let go of the rope."
Her confidence soared by the time she made her third jump.
The road to Palehua
A spectacular view of the oldest part of Oahu makes hiking this easy two-mile trail worthwhile. The path leads through dry, whimsical paths to Palehua, named in ancient times Pu'u Manawahua, which means "Hill of Grief."Although the trail is well marked and generally easy, small children may have difficulty with the steep up-and-down climbs. My 4-year-old son made the journey with me, but spent most of his time on his dad's back.
The steep downward slope leading to the lookout is the hike's biggest challenge but a rope is available alongside the trail to hang onto for support. At the bottom, a clearing leads to the Nanakuli Lookout.
The ridge overlooks Haleakala Crater. The crater was formed when Waianae Volcano erupted to form Oahu and the Waianae Ridge. At about 2,000 feet in elevation, the lookout affords a panoramic view of the Leeward Coast from Nanakuli to Makaha.
On the windward side, the Koolau Range, Pearl Harbor and, in the distance, Honolulu and Diamond Head meet the eye. The ridge faces westward and provides a beautiful setting to watch the sun set over the Pacific.If luck permits, you may even spot wild turkeys, pigs or any of a variety of birds.
Hikers can also view a variety of flora and fauna. Interpretive trail signs along the way relate information about the forest and the effect transplanted vegetation has had on native plants.
Kukui trees can be spotted on the lower slopes of the mountain. Most of the sandalwood trees that once filled the forest floor were stripped away long ago due to the value of the wood. A few may still be seen along the beaten path.
Eucalyptus trees are some of the taller and larger trees in the forest. They were introduced here to help control erosion, but they absorb so much of the ground water, they ended up killing many of the native plants.
Ironwood trees also were introduced in reforestation efforts but have had ill effects on native plants.
Camp Timberline has formed a joint venture with the Nature Conservancy by creating a nursery run by volunteers and keiki who attend Timberline's environmental education program. The program tries to encourage children to develop a more responsible use of natural resources, said Haneline.
"The Nature Conservancy needed land to house a nursery ... we needed plants to try to restore some of the native vegetation. We use the plants in the nursery to go out and plant into the woods and on our property to try to regain some lokahi," she says.The fresh air and view that await the public at the end of the trail are rewarding. Bring a picnic lunch, plenty of water and enjoy your trip to the top of the world.
Click for online
calendars and events.
