TGFC: Thank Goodness for Camp

June is a crazy month.  With end of year school work piled on, recitals, playoffs and camp packing, even my lists have lists!  It really is the single most crazy month of year, at least for me and I am sure most of you can agree.  As I keep telling myself, this is all the “good stuff” so I try not to stress because it really is true.  How lucky we and our children are …to be wrapping up another successful school year and now they get to go to CAMP!!  Lucky ducks.

Last week, I had the good fortune to be up at camp for New Camper Weekend with my son who is about to start camp.  While there, my daughter, who has been already been at camp a few years, called me, stressed about her finals and things going on at home.  All I could say to her was “don’t worry, it’ll be over soon and you’ll be here at camp before you know it. Camp couldn’t look more beautiful and it’s waiting for you with open arms.”  She replied in four simple words,“I can’t wait, Mom.”  Her reply brought tears to my eyes.  It perfectly sums up why we do this.  Yes, to have our children learn independence, make new friends, try new things, etc.  But, my daughters words made me think even deeper.  

Camp provides an escape for our kids…a place to truly get away from it all, and, purely and simply, just relax.  In this modern age, I can’t imagine anything being more needed and important.  For 10 months out of the year, our kids run around like crazy, live on their phones, engulfed by social media and technology.  I am so thankful for Pine Forest and for the opportunity it provides to leave all that behind for 7 weeks.  PFC is my daughter’s happy place on earth.  I don’t know what she would do without it.  She has grown to need camp, to work all year to have camp and to cherish camp all year long.

I share this story with you because my hope is that every child who steps foot off the bus on June 24th can exhale like I know my daughter will.  I hope they truly feel that PFC is their home away from home and the place that they look forward to returning to and getting away from it all summer after summer.

T.G.F.C.

Hillary, PFC Mom

Reminders from Camp!

It’s that time of the year! You forget what your living room floor looks like under all of that camp gear, you’re constantly hearing the most up-to-date countdown to camp (15 days, 18 hours, 33 minutes!), and you miss them already. Take a deep breath. We are here for you as always! Below are some last minute tips as you make your final preparations for PFC 2017!

What to pack:
A good flashlight
Lots of socks
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Stationary and stamps
Hopes and dreams

What not to pack:
Electronic devices (Kindle, iPod Touch, screens that play games or shows, cell phones)

Important dates:
First day of camp: Saturday, June 24
Visiting Day: Saturday, July 22 @ 11:30AM
Last day of camp: Saturday, August 12

Important contact information:
PFC Summer Office: (570) 685-7141
Mountain Baggage: (570) 775-0556
R&B Baggage (for Florida families): (603) 536-2197
PersonalRx: (877) 302-3881

PFC mailing address:
185 Pine Forest Road
Greeley, PA 18425

Policy reminders:
-Phone calls are not necessary, but one can be scheduled before Visiting Day and one after Visiting Day. You can schedule your first call once your camper arrives at camp.
-NO packages, please!

Photos:
Photos from the day will be uploaded to CampInTouch almost every night. You can access them using the same login you use to fill out forms.
https://pineforest.campintouch.com/v2/login

Expert tip: Mail a letter to your camper a few days before camp starts so that there’s one waiting for him or her on the first day of camp.

Follow us! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @PineForestCamp.

And What a Weekend It Was!

New Family Weekend is an amazing Pine Forest Camp tradition, when all first-time campers and their families are invited up to camp to spend their first weekend at PFC together! Families stay overnight in their own bunks before camp starts, and future campers participate in activities in their age group to get to know one another. It’s a sneak preview of the fun to come this summer.

Ziplining, canoeing, gaga, arts and crafts, basketball – you name it, we did it! And the weather was perfect! The day ended in the best way possible, around a campfire! There was a fantastic talent show that included dances, jokes and gymnastics. You’d never be able to tell that these campers just met that day! Mickey led everyone in a rousing 3-part round of his famous “Fish and Chips” song.  And we ended the campfire as we always do at PFC, arm-in-arm, singing  “Taps and Friends.” After the campfire, it was s’mores for all!

The next morning, families enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the Dining Hall, complete with lox, bagels and hot chocolate with whipped cream. Every new camper left that morning looking forward to the excitement yet to come (and with an exclusive, special edition new PFC long-sleeve shirt!)

We want to extend a special thank you to our outstanding staff for making New Family Weekend 2017 the best one ever! It really is all about the people! Being at PFC with new families each year reminds us that Pine Forest campers are awesome because Pine Forest families are awesome.

“WE WELCOME YOU TO PINE FOREST, WE’RE MIGHTY GLAD YOU’RE HERE!”

And now, the big show! We can’t wait to see our new campers again in 19 DAYS!

New Camper Weekend 2017!

It’s finally here! New Camper Weekend 2017! Did you know that each June we invite all new campers and their families to spend the whole weekend at camp a few short weeks before opening day? It’s a unique opportunity for campers and their families to connect with staff, meet future bunk mates and really start to feel at home in Greeley, PA. We don’t know any other camp that opens its doors the way we do, and we’re proud of it!

Attending New Camper Weekend? Here’s what you need to know!
Please arrive at camp between 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM on Saturday, June 3rd to experience your first camp lunch!  Introductions begin around 1:00 PM.  As a reminder, nights in the mountains can be quite chilly, so bring warm and comfortable clothing for the campfire and warm PJs, too! Don’t forget warm bedding or sleeping bags, and remember toiletries and towels as well. There will be free time to explore, so if you’d like to play, boat or swim as a family, bring tennis racquets, softball gloves, and bathing suits.

Stay tuned for live updates and photos from what will surely be a weekend of lifelong memories in the making! WELCOME NEW CAMPERS!

Welcome Back, Superstar Craig!

Craig Wallace is the founder of the Superstar Tennis program and has been its director for over 30 years! His 3 children were PFC campers and he met his wife there, too. He is the charismatic leader of the program and has credentials that are top notch, among them certification by LTA (British Tennis), coaching badges level 1-4, Australian Module One Tennis Coach, United States Tennis Pro (USPTA) and United States Tennis Registry (USPTR). Not only does Craig oversee the entire program but he also personally teaches one-on-one private lessons on a daily basis. One of our favorite features of the Superstar Tennis program is the individual stroke analysis. Each camper receives a computerized “Zoom Report” (just like the below photo) of their game!

All campers signed up for Superstar Tennis will also receive:
-One daily high-energy instructional drill session including conditioning and tactical sessions.
-Two private individual lessons per week.
-Membership in the USTA.
-Participation in a USTA sanctioned tournament.
-Personalized, in-depth evaluation and development plan by the head tennis pro.
-Certificate of completion.
-Tennis Ladder competition.
-Superstar Tennis T-shirt.
-Stroke Analysis and strategy sessions.

An exciting highlight for this year: all of our tennis instructors play on their school’s teams!

To sign up for Superstar Tennis, private lessons or our other extraordinary Optional Activities, click here or call the office at (267) 639-2488.

Welcome to our Fitness Team, Stephanie!

We are so excited to welcome one of our newest Fitness instructors, Stephanie! Stephanie has been a CrossFit coach for over 4 years and earned CrossFit Levels 1 and 2 and Children’s certifications. She has experience training high school rugby and rowing teams and coaching lacrosse and track. Stephanie is passionate about teaching motivated athletes how to make real progress through encouragement and proper training techniques. Most importantly, Stephanie is going to make fitness a lot fun at PFC! Welcome to the PFC family, Stephanie!

Click here to learn more about our One-on-One Fitness Training program and other extraordinary Optional Activities!

Every Day is Earth Day at Camp

Camp is many things, like making new friends, having fun at activities and learning new skills. But at its core, going to camp is a return to nature. It is a simpler life, unplugged but connected to the wonders all around us. Smell the pines! Breathe in fresh mountain air! Listen to the sound of crickets at night! Feel the warmth of the sun on your shoulders. Happy Earth Day from Greeley, PA, “Up Where the Sky Begins.”

Here’s a short Earth Day quiz, Greeley edition!

What is the Pennsylvania state flower that can be found throughout our beautiful camp, just beginning to bud during this time of year?
Answer: The Mountain Laurel

What environmentally important site is located in Milford, Pennsylvania, one of the closest towns to camp?
Answer: Grey Towers in Milford is the original 1900 site of the Yale School of Forestry Summer Camp!

Who lived at Grey Towers, Milford and is known as the “Father of American Conservation”?
Answer: Gifford Pinchot

Every summer, campers canoe the Delaware and Lackawaxen rivers. The two rivers converge in Lackawaxen Pennsylvania, a beautiful spot very close to camp. What famous American bird do campers frequently see there, soaring high above them?
Answer: The American Bald Eagle. Lackawaxen is home to 200 bald eagles!

Camp is located in Pike County, named after Zebulon Motgomery Pike. What famous mountain did he discover and where is it located?
Answer: Pike’s Peak, Colorado

Bonus Question!
Our camp was one of the first camps in American to win the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star Award. Which of these things didn’t we do to earn it?
1) Change all light bulbs to LED
2) Cover the pools with special pool covers to preserve heat and lower use of energy
3) Recycle waste
4) Change from disposable dishes to reusable dishware
5) Hang underwear from the flagpole

Unofficial Counselor Packing List

Welcome, new PFC counselors! We’re SO excited to have you on board and hope you’re getting excited for the best summer of your lives. Camp will be here before we know it (79 days until the campers arrive!), so it’s not too early to start thinking about packing! To supplement your regular packing list, we asked our returning counselors what they wish they had during their first summers as camp staff. It may seem like a lot, but many of these optional items can be purchased during our organized trip to Wal-Mart after you arrive in Greeley.

Egg crate/mattress pad
Crazy Creek chair or something similar to sit on
Patriotic clothes for July 4th – prepare to represent your country with pride!
Blue and gold/yellow shirts for Color Days!
Inexpensive waterproof watch
Extra bug spray and sunscreen
Flip flops for the shower
Raincoat
Extra socks
Books
Long sleeve shirts and long pants for nighttime – it can get very cold!
Crazy hats/fun dress-up clothes for theme days
Wellies or rain boots
Small clock
Jokes, songs and cheers to teach your campers
A fun playlist of songs for the bunk
And most importantly, a good sense of humor and a positive attitude!

If you’re a returning counselor and have anything to add, please comment below or post in our official staff Facebook group!

 

Fun Facts for New Families!

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

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!