Of all the special days at camp, we have to admit that the 4th of July is one of the absolute best! The fun kicks off the moment the sun peeks over Cliff Hill and doesn’t stop until the last firework fades from the night sky.

At Pine Forest Camp, it’s tradition for our oldest girl campers, the Hi-Senior 10s, to wake up at the crack of dawn, decked out head to toe in red, white, and blue. They blast music and run through camp, spreading excitement (and a lot of energy!) as they wake everyone up for the big day. By breakfast, campers are leaping out of bed, pulling on patriotic tutus, silly headbands, wigs, face paint, and anything else they can find, transforming PFC into a sea of stars and stripes.

Breakfast is an all-American feast: stacks of fluffy French toast topped with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream, served on festive plates. And just when you think it can’t get sweeter — we bring out the Krispy Kreme donuts! Are you drooling, too? And in true 4th of July fashion, lunch is a classic BBQ with all the fixings.

The afternoon brings one of our favorite traditions: the epic counselor parade! Our counselors dress up as iconic American figures and march through camp to cheers and laughter. Next, our juniors, inters, and seniors dive into a carnival bursting with fun games (run by our spirited Hi-Senior 10s!), splashes in the pool, and bouncing around on giant inflatables — pure summertime magic! Meanwhile, the Hi-Senior 9s kick back at a 4th of July Lake Luau, making memories by the water.

After a mouthwatering dinner of roast chicken, the whole camp gathers at Netsy Playhouse for the legendary 4th of July Talent Show. Campers and counselors have been rehearsing for weeks and trust us, it’s always the show of the century! There’s singing, dancing, and even a few surprises.

And of course, no 4th of July at PFC would be complete without fireworks. We’ll all head together to Mitchell Field with our glow necklaces and blankets to watch the night sky burst with color, OOOOH-ing and AHHHH-ing at every spark.

When it’s all over, we’ll drift off to sleep, hearts full and faces still painted, dreaming of another epic day ahead. There’s truly no better place to celebrate the 4th of July than “Up Where the Sky Begins!”