Month: March 2017

Fun Facts for New Families!

Posted on by PineForest

We can’t believe it’s spring and the 2017 camping season will be here before we know it!  We want you and your child to be as comfortable and as prepared as possible in the days leading up to camp.  We thought it would be fun and helpful to share some fun facts about us so everyone is “in the know.”

Pine Forest is full of tradition, rituals and special names.  Each one is so meaningful to both the campers and staff.

“Up Where the Sky Begins” – Pine Forest Camp slogan/philosophy

“When Lights Are Low” and “High In The Mountains” – PFC’s camp songs. among many others.

Blue and Gold– Camp colors.

Many of camp’s fields, courts and venues are named after camp’s founders Hughie and Selma Black, descendants as well as many old-timers.

“Hughie Hall”- Indoor venue that houses many camp activities, including basketball, broadcasting, yoga, fitness center and much more.

“Libby courts”-  One of camps three sets of tennis courts.

“Netsy Playhouse”–  Outdoor amphitheater where camps shows and services are held.

“Marvin Hall”-  Outdoor gymnastics pavilion.

“Mitchell Field”–  Large field near entrance for sports and campfires.

“Barbie’s Bar-B-Que”/AKA “The Grove”–  Outdoor picnic area where campers are served a weekly cookout.

“Lauri Field”– Another large field at the top of camp that hosts various sports, including track and field.  Great for star-gazing too!

“Lee’s Rink”- Hockey pavilion by Hughie Hall.

“Eric’s Fitness Center”– State-of-the-art fitness facility.

“Ruby’s Canteen”– Named after Uncle Hughie’s great-great granddaughter.  Various times a week, campers look forward to special treats.

“Chadwin Court- AKA “Main Court”-  Popular basketball court in the center of camp, with lights and stadium seating all around.  Named after long-time athletic director Steve “Chad” Chadwin.

Lake Greeley – The walk to our beautiful lake is always a special one.  Stroll down “Milligan’s Trail” and throw a stone to make a wish into “Lisa’s Heart-Shaped Pond.”

Blueberry Island– Camp’s private island by the lake where campers canoe to and explore.

The “Friendship” Tree – It used to be a sprawling spruce tree in the center of camp, but over the 87 years, it’s been reduced to more of a “beautiful” stump.  With a white bench all around, it’s the main meeting place for campers and counselors in the center of camp, perfect for brothers and sisters to meet after dinner.

Bunk Names – The boys bunks are names after tree and the girls bunks are named after flowers.

The Old-Timers Tree – This old tree proudly displays plaques of the names of all campers and staff throughout our 84 years that have gone to camp for 10 years or more.  It’s very exciting for old-timers to have their names permanently added for all time.  There are almost 400 names now on the tree!

Hopefully this list will help you and your child feel even more a part of our camp family as we countdown to welcome you this summer.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have and we can’t wait to see your campers in less than 100 days!

Camp Counselor: More Than an Internship

Posted on by PineForest

This guest blog post was written by all-star former counselor and year round Staff Coordinator, Elly Wallace.

Many people will tell you that the key to a successful future in the workplace is a solid internship related to your field of (potential) expertise.  While that may be true for a lot of people and a lot of careers, a job as a camp counselor can give you the skills to succeed in not only the workplace, but in all aspects of your life.  We’ve come up with three major things a summer camp job has the potential to provide, but like anything else, you get out what you put in.

Confidence

One of summer camp’s greatest qualities is its appreciation for individuality.  The most notable counselors are the ones who sing the loudest, dress the craziest, and are willing to participate in any and all activities that his or her campers come up with.  At camp, it’s hard to feel embarrassed.  It is surprisingly easy to step out of your comfort zone and into the uninhibited summer camp lifestyle.

Selflessness

While being a camp counselor can give you a great deal of self-understanding and important life skills, the most successful counselors are those who are not at camp for themselves, but for the campers.  Camp teaches you how to put the needs of your campers, or of any group, above your own.  In order to deal with confrontations, homesickness, shower hour, and anything else that comes your way in the bunk, you have to know how to prioritize.  As camp counselor, you are truly a surrogate parent for your campers and, while their problems may seem small to you, to them they are big and should be treated accordingly.

Leadership Ability

At camp, campers do not judge your ability to show them how to kick a soccer ball, make a friendship bracelet, or ride a zip line.  We find that campers instantly idolize a counselor’s ability to do anything, giving you a solid platform to develop and transform your leadership skills from the get-go.  You’ve been hired as a camp counselor and specialist in a specific activity; your accountability is already there.  This gives you the time to focus on building your character, integrity, commitment, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness.

Interested in working at PFC? Check out our staff page!

New Day, New Summer, New Website!

Posted on by PineForest

87 (seasons) never looked so good!

It’s hard to capture the sounds of happy campers, the smell of fresh pines and the taste of s’mores on a starry night. But if you wander through the new PFC website it might just make you feel, for a moment, that you are “Up Where the Sky Begins.” It’s also chock full of information about camp and all that you need to know to get ready for summer.

And if you’re an alum, don’t forget to watch the “decades videos.” Pick your childhood decade and be transported back in time!

Happy summer!

Meet Jaime, Our New Art Director!

Posted on by PineForest

My name is Jaime and camp has always been a huge part of my life.  I started sleep away camp at 5 years old, with my mom working as the camp mother.  I always knew that when the time came and I had children of my own, I would also want to spend my summers working at camp.  This summer my daughters, Ruby and Eden, will be experiencing their first summer at sleepaway camp, and we are beyond excited for PFC 2017!!  

I work year round as a speech pathologist in an elementary school in Livingston, NJ.  While I love getting to work with children in a school setting, nothing compares to getting to know kids in the unique laid back environment that camp provides.  I call it the camp bubble.  Now more than ever, it is so important to slow down, log off and connect with our kids.  Working in a camp for the past 5 summers gave me the opportunity to expose kids to so many different types of art…whether it was leather work or jewelry making, woodworking or ceramics.  Camp is full of creative outlets and everybody gets a chance to try out new mediums and get their hands dirty in a creative and fun environment.  I am excited to share so many AWESOME projects with the campers this summer. For me, arts and crafts is about providing instruction and learning new skills, but then giving kids the freedom to have fun and go for it!!!  It’s a time to bond with your counselors and friends while you create projects (and memories) to last throughout the year!

A cool project to be on the lookout for this summer: WATER BALLOON CANVAS ART!