DEC ANNOUNCES WINNER OF TIMBROOK SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

 

Camper Awarded Free Scholarship to Attend Rushford Environmental Education Camp this Summer

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that Grover Bennett Villari from Genoa, Cayuga County, is receiving an environmental camp scholarship created in memory of former camper Emily Timbrook.  Grover was selected from an essay they wrote about their experience at DEC’s Camp Rushford in Caneadea, Allegany County, last summer. 

“Summer camp is a place where campers are empowered to grow and learn while making life-long memories,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Grover’s experience embodies Emily Timbrook’s spirit and love for camp, showcasing the value of the friends you meet and the adventures you have at camp. We are honored to carry on Emily’s memory at Camp Rushford beyond.” 

Timbrook, a former Camp Rushford attendee and volunteer who resided in Alfred Station, Allegany County, died tragically in a car crash in April 2009. Barbara and Tim Timbrook, Emily’s parents, worked with DEC and the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) to create a summer camp scholarship fund in Emily’s name to encourage other young people to get outdoors and appreciate nature as Emily did. The funds collected are used for an annual camp scholarship to send one returning camper to Camp Rushford for free. 

Mr. and Mrs. Timbrook, said, “We are delighted to honor Emily’s memory by supporting one returning camper each summer at Camp Rushford. Our daughter’s love of nature and commitment to environmental stewardship was nurtured at a DEC camp, and we are pleased that Grover demonstrated a similar excitement about protecting the environment and enjoying the benefits of being outdoors. We are so happy to remember Emily in this way.” 

Natural Heritage Trust Executive Director Sally Drake said, “The Natural Heritage Trust is proud to work with the Timbrook family and DEC to administer the environmental summer camp scholarship in Emily’s memory, honoring her love of nature and the Camp Rushford experience. Congratulations to Grover on receiving this year’s Timbrook Award in recognition of her commitment to stewardship and appreciation of all that summer camp has to offer.” 

Campers who excelled at Camp Rushford in 2025 were given the Timbrook Award by camp staff and were invited to submit an essay about their camp experience and its impact on their lives. The award-winning campers were chosen for their demonstrated interest in building upon their outdoor recreation experiences and sharing their knowledge of the state's natural resources with other campers. 

Grover, who turns 13 in April, attended Camp Rushford for the first time last summer after hearing so much about it from their older sister Clementine, who has been attending since 2023. Highlights of Grover's week at camp included learning about nature, the trip to the Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area, making friends with campers and counselors, singing around the campfire, and learning about community. 

DEC’s unique residential camp program offers week-long experiences in conservation education and environmental stewardship for children ages 11 to 17. There are four residential camps for youth ages 11-13 or 14-17: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake, Franklin County; Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County; Camp Rushford in Caneadea, Allegany County and Pack Forest in Warrensburg, Warren County. Visit https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/summer-camps for more information about all four DEC summer camps. 

Donations to support future camp scholarships can be made by visiting Natural Heritage Trust at https://www.naturalheritagetrust.org/campership-donations. Funds are managed by the Natural Heritage Trust, a public benefit corporation that receives and manages gifts, grants, and contributions to further public conservation programs. A description of NHT is available at https://www.naturalheritagetrust.org/. To donate to the Emily Timbrook fund, send a check made out to: NHT-DEC Camps, with Emily in the memo section to Summer Camps Scholarship, c/o Director of Management and Budget Services, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5010.

Note: Photos attached of Emily Timbrook and Grover Bennett Villari, Timbrook Award Winner.

Grover Camp Rushford.jpg
Grover and DEC Staff at Camp Rushford 2025.jpg
Grover.jpg
Emily Timbrook school picture.jpg