People often ask camp directors, “How do you sleep at night? Aren’t you worried about all of those children and counselors in your care?”
I’ve always slept well at camp, better than the rest of the year. First of all, it’s the cool mountain nights, the orchestral sound of crickets, and the sweet smell of pines that provide the perfect atmosphere for a good night’s sleep.
And I don’t worry. Quite the opposite, I know that I am surrounded by competent, dedicated, mature individuals who are well-trained, trustworthy, and prepared to take care of children. And having grown up in a family who have taken care of children for four generations, going to bed, waking up, and welcoming each day for 95 years gives me a certain kind of confidence that is at my core.
But I also like to read before I close my eyes. Each summer, in addition to our exciting book club books, I try to pick readings for my personal enjoyment that are befitting a camp setting. I usually choose books about nature or adventure. Here are two newly published books that I’ll have on my nightstand in my cabin this summer. You may want to read them too!
A Note from the Health Center to our Camp Parents:
We’d like to take a moment to share our plan of action for the risks associated with tick, flea and mosquito bites throughout the United States. Camp has been taking steps to minimize exposure for our campers and prevent the spread of disease. In addition to the measures outlined below, camp regularly consults with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to update our protocols.
Prevention
Outside lawn chemical professionals have been hired to treat all fields and field perimeters with flea and tick control as well as areas around bunks, buildings, and activity areas with flea and tick control.
All trails and paths at camp are treated with flea and tick control.
An outside professional pest control company has been contracted to regularly treat for rodents, etc.
Grass is cut frequently and brush is trimmed back in regularly trafficked areas.
Application of CDC approved bug spray throughout the day as needed for activities in wooded areas. There are also bug spray stations throughout camp.
Education and Practice
All counselors have training sessions on ticks and the counselor’s roles in health care, including
Hygiene, shower hour self-check prompting, tick checks after hikes, walks in the woods, and campfires
Basic tick prevention, best practices, bug and bite identification
Camper clothing coverage, including long pants and sleeves on hikes
Avoiding brushy areas, high grass and leaf litter. Walking in the center of trails.
Nurse education during training
Tick checks, identification, removal
Full body checks after all hikes and walks in wooded areas.
A note: Nurses and counselors prompt campers to self check in and around the bathing suit area.
Check clothing.
Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions or concerns. We will stay vigilant!
Spring is in the air! We can’t believe Summer 2026, camp’s 95th season, will be here before we know it! We thought it would be fun to share some fun facts about camp! Pine Forest is full of tradition, rituals and special names, and each one is so meaningful to both the campers and staff; in no time, your camper will be an expert! As the song goes, “we welcome you to Pine Forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here!”
“Up Where the Sky Begins” Our longtime PFC slogan, but really it’s a philosophy!
“When Lights Are Low” and “High In The Mountains” PFC’s camp songs, among many others. Your campers will know them in no time!
Blue and Gold are PFC camp colors! Wear them loud and proud!
Many of Pine Forest’s fields, courts and venues are named after camp’s founders, Hughie and Selma Black, their descendants as well as many old-timers.
Hughie Hall– Indoor athletic venue that houses many camp activities, including basketball, broadcasting, yoga, spinning, the fitness center and much more.
Libby Courts – One of three sets of tennis courts, named after Libby Black Halpern, daughter of the founders and an avid tennis player.
Marvin Hall – Our beautiful gymnastics pavilion, named after Marvin Black, son of the founders and longtime PFC Director.
Netsy Playhouse – Outdoor amphitheater where camp-wide shows and gatherings are held, named after Annette “Netsy” Black, daughter-in-law of the founders who championed the performing arts at camp.
Lee’s Rink and Lee’s Tree – the hockey pavilion next to Hughie Hall and the tree in the center of camp, in front of the Guest House, are both named for Lee Forest Black, beloved former PFC camper, counselor, head of Boys Camp and PFC Director. Lee, who passed away in 2021, was the son of Mickey and Barbara Black and the brother of Anna Black Morin, married to current director, Eric Morin. Lee was the great-grandson of our founders.
Chadwin Court AKA “Main Court” in the center of camp with lights and stadium seating all around. Named after longtime athletic director, Steve “Chad” Chadwin.
Lisa’s Heart-Shaped Pond – The most magical spot on the way to the lake. Turn around three times and throw a rock in over your shoulder. If it lands in the heart-shaped pond, your wish will come true! Named after Assistant Director, Lisa Sherman Fayne, grand-niece of our founders, Hughie and Selma.
Hal’s Deck – Located in Boys’ Camp and named after Boys’ Head Counselor, Hal Schwartz, in celebration of his 20th summer at PFC.
Blueberry Island – A private island in our lake, Lake Greeley, where campers canoe and explore!
The Old-Timers Tree – This old tree proudly displays plaques of the names of all campers and staff throughout our 94 years that have gone to camp for 10 years or more. It’s a badge of honor for old-timers to have their names permanently added to the tree for all time! Right now, there are over 400 names on the Old-Timers Tree!
Bunk Names – Bunks at camp are named after trees and wildflowers found in Northeastern, PA, our beautiful summer home!
We won’t quiz you on it, but we hope these names and places make you feel even more excited for summer! We are counting down the days to welcome you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have. We can’t wait to get started!
Eric Morin, 4th-Generation Director Lisa Fayne, Assistant Director Hal and Sarah Schwartz, Head of Boys & Girls Camp
We’re already halfway through January and we’ve got a LOT to look forward to as we plan for our 95th season: Summer 2026. Take a look! 👀
♥️ February 1: Our new and prospective (!!) camper event at Chelsea Piers in NYC! Both and new future campers are welcome! Call or email for more info.
📱 570-685-7141 📧
🍀 March: We’ll be attending the American Camp Association Tri-State Conference. We can’t wait to pick up new ideas (And inflatables? 👀) to bring back to Greeley, PA.
🍃 April: We’ll be finishing up some big improvements we’ve been working on all year long! Our local team wakes up our cabins and we bring our favorite PFC leaders together to fine-tune our camp plans.
🌲 May 30-31: New Camper Weekend at CAMP in Greeley, PA! We can’t wait to spend the weekend enjoying everything PFC has to offer with our new campers and their families.
These are just the highlights! Follow along to see what we’re working on and where we’ll be this year — and, hey! PFC Alumni! We hope to see you at our 95th Summer Celebration Weekend: August 29-30, 2026 ☀️
The buses pull out this morning. In an instant, camp is silent. But the air will be filled with happy memories. Pine Forest’s 94th summer has come to a close and it was one of the best ever.
Thank you one and all, campers, counselors, housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, nurses, doctors, office staff and drivers, for making it such a tremendous season.
And now it’s back to home and school. But everyone who shared this wonderful summer comes home a little different. A little better. Keep the spirit of PFC alive all year long. Stay in touch.
Pine Forest is more than a place in Greeley, PA. It’s a place in our hearts.
Like the song says, “All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go.” Mountain Baggage, R&B Baggage, UPS, and FedEx.
Today we pack up, have our awards ceremonies, and tonight it’s the candlelighting. It feels like we just arrived, but we’re coming home with so much more than we can pack in a bag: New friends, new adventures, new confidence. There isn’t a duffle bag or shipping company big enough to handle it.
We invite you to schedule a one-on-one, interactive family tour of camp, led by one of our awesome camp leaders. You'll meet our owners/directors and learn more about our amazing, 95-year camp history and traditions. Come feel the love and warmth that Pine Forest Camp has to offer! Email to coordinate!
