What does TELAPHIBA even mean?

December 2021 - What does TELAPHIBA even mean? 

People often ask where our camp name came from. First, I would love to help with how to say Telaphiba. You pronounce it Tell-A-Fee-Buh. Now, let me tell you the story. 

My family is a military family. My grandfather was a colonel in the air force and he moved his family 32 times before my father graduated high school. I often begin telling this story on the last day of camp and have asked all children how many times they have moved in their lives and the most I have heard so far was 5. Needless to say, my family moved A LOT! 

This was part of my grandfather’s job and had to be accepted by the whole family to support my grandfather making a living to support his family and his country at the same time. 

One of those 32 places they moved was really special to the family. It was special first, because each family member had a part in the development of it. My grandfather had the structure and the roof put up but he built the interior walls. The boys helped put in the insulation. My grandmother decorated the entire home and kept it clean. They had many great experiences while living in the home they built there. They loved it so much and were sad to go when they had to relocate. My grandfather decided to give a name to that home so that when the family was feeling low somewhere else, they could remember that one to bring back good memories of better times. He came up with the name: 

Te - for my Uncle Terry

LA - for my father Larry

PHI - for my Grandfather Phil

BA - for my Grandmother Barbara

Put together, they spelled TELAPHIBA!

Fast forward more than 30 years when I decided to build our incredible summer dance retreat. I wanted to create a special place where children could dance and enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains, meet new people and create friendships to last a lifetime. I also wanted staff to be able to contribute their unique talents to make camp as special as it could be because of those contributions. I also wanted camp to be a place that could be remembered all year long by dancers and staff a like so that when they might be feeling lonely at home or struggling in some way, they could think about the fun they have at camp and all that it is. 

I also wanted to leave a namesake to my family and how much they mean to me.  The obvious choice for me was Camp Telaphiba!!

Since 2015, we have provided the most unique summer dance camp experience to hundreds of children by bringing them joy and happiness that can last all year long. Camp Telaphiba is living up to its namesake and for that I am proud!