COLLEGE DAY 2025

College Day 2025 Opening Ceremonies came in like a wrecking ball! đŸŽ¶ The energy? Electric. The spirit? Off the charts.

After days of anticipation, Pine Forest Camp has officially split into four spirited teams for two epic days of competition!

This year’s college lineup is:

Pitt

Louisville

Tennessee

Iowa

From the moment the teams were revealed, camp exploded into a sea of colors, cheers, and camaraderie. Campers sprinted to their bunks to grab gear, paint faces, and prep their voices for non-stop cheering.

Last night’s Opening Ceremonies set the tone: loud, proud, and full of heart. The traditions we love—like Steeple Chase, Tug o’ War, and the legendary Rope Burn—lit up the night with excitement. Campers raced, pulled, and cheered each other on with everything they had. Whether you were jumping hurdles or rallying your team at the sidelines, there was only one word to describe it: EPIC.

College Day is more than just games. It’s teamwork. It’s legacy. It’s pushing yourself to go just a little further, run a little faster, cheer a little louder. It’s about making memories that will stick with you long after the team colors fade.

Let the games begin. đŸ Let the tradition continue. And may the best college win!

Friday Night Campfires

There’s something timeless about Friday nights at Pine Forest Camp. As the sun dips behind the trees and the sky turns that perfect shade of twilight, campers and counselors gather around the crackling campfire, just like they have for almost 100 years.

It’s more than just a camp tradition; it’s a feeling that connects generations. We sing songs that have echoed through our woods for decades. Tunes passed down from camper to camper, counselor to counselor, each verse carrying memories of summers gone by. The familiar strum of a guitar, the harmonies under the stars, and the laughter between songs remind us that some things never change, and that’s what makes them so special.

Around the fire, stories come alive: Tales of adventure, camp legends, or just funny memories from the week. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Pine Forest campfire without the s’mores. Chocolate, graham crackers, and perfectly toasted marshmallows taste even better when shared with friends.

For our campers, Friday night campfires are a pause from the busy, fun-filled days — a chance to slow down, look around, and soak in the magic of camp. For our alumni, they’re a memory that stays warm in their hearts long after the embers fade.

Here’s to the songs we’ve always sung, the stories we’ll never forget, and the s’mores that bring us all together at PFC.

Greeley Games

It’s been another day of spirit and sportsmanship down the winding road. But today, we competed in The Greeley Games, a friendly inter-camp competition with our sister camps, Timber Tops and Lake Owego! We played soccer, basketball, and soccer against CTT. And we also competed in a dance competition and a gymnastics meet! And it wasn’t just athletic events happening here it camp – the Greeley Games include an art competition, too. It was a great day for all those who participated! 

Today, we started play practice, honed our fishing skills, and worked on our magic tricks. We had leagues, we enjoyed water games, and we biked up Ted’s Trail more times than we can count. Have we mentioned Spin? We love Spin at PFC!

AND our Top Cooks campers had a great trip to the Moka Chocolate factory in Honesdale! They learned the origins of Moka chocolate and, of course, enjoyed some samples. What a day! What a life, “Up where the sky begins!”

Greetings from Greeley!

What a beautiful, regularly scheduled program kinda day it’s been here at PFC! The sun is shining, the breeze is just right, and we’re soaking up every moment of fun from Mitchell Courts to Hughie Hall to Lake Greeley and everywhere in between. 

We started our morning with a delicious camp tradition: Sunday bagels and lox for breakfast! We put our crocs in “sport mode” and managed to squeeze in Official Bunk Photos in between all of our activities. Don’t worry, parents! We’ll show you those on Visiting Day!

Did you hear that our WEEK ONE is up?! Check it out here!

We’re just getting started, folks!

A Star-Spangled Day at Camp

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 â€œUp Where the Sky Begins!”

Big and Little Sister

Big news on girls’ side! Our big sister/little sister program is officially up and running, and we couldn’t be more excited about it! 

It all started a few days ago for our inter and junior girl campers when they received their first letters from their camp big sisters: anonymous notes left on their beds while they were busy out and about at their activities, filled with fun clues about what their big sisters look like, what their favorite activities at camp are, and more! 

Little sisters were excitedly comparing notes and making guesses about who their big sisters could be, while eagerly waiting to hear when they’d get to meet! 

Well, we finally had the big reveal! Big and little sisters were paired up for an epic night of fun together! We got to know each other while making bracelets, eating blueberry cobbler and dancing the night away.

Throughout the summer, bigs and littles will have many special events together. During hobby time, you’ll often catch little sisters visiting their big sisters’ bunks, bonding with each other and getting to know each other’s friends.

This special PFC tradition is a highlight every summer, for sure.

Hey, Mr. DJ!

Another beautiful, sun-kissed day here in Greeley! We kicked off the morning with a cozy breakfast of eggs, fresh berries, Texas French toast, and French toast sticks – the perfect fuel for a Monday morning!

While our oldest campers choose their own adventures, juniors and inters spent the morning choosing between dance (working on some new moves, moms and dads!), archery, magic, gaga, pickleball, martial arts and yoga! So many options before sitting down for one of camp’s favorite lunches: turkey taco bar with both soft and hard shells and all the toppings you could want.

Two highlights of the afternoon was a DJ-ing clinic with DJ Goldstein and co-ed Pickleball leagues for the Hi-Seniors. WOW! And there’s still so much to look forward to under these Greeley skies.

Camp life is the best life!

Good Night, Pine Forest Camp!

We woke up to birds chirping and the sound of campers laughing in the bunk next door. We had a delicious breakfast of bagels, eggs, and homefries! It was a beautiful 73° day with a 100% chance of leagues, pickleball, archery, martial arts, wibits –okay, we’ve got a LOT going on up here! 
Campers hustled from activity to activity, cheering each other on and trying new skills!

Lunch was a hit with chicken patties, coleslaw, sweet potato fries, and all the fresh salad options you could dream of. Tonight’s dinner menu is chef’s kiss – spaghetti and meatballs, rigatoni, sautĂ©ed broccoli, fried zucchini circles, garlic bread, caprese salad, and popsicles for dessert.

And don’t worry, parents! We read your letters at rest hour and wrote home to you, too. 
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the best is yet to come in Greeley! 

Welcome Home, Campers!

Cue the confetti and campfire songs!

Summer 94 at Pine Forest has officially begun!

The moment you step off that bus, you’re not just arriving at camp—you’re stepping into the magical world of PFC, â€œUp Where the Sky Begins!” A world where the only thing you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe your longs and longs).

It doesn’t matter where you came from or what kind of year you’ve had, because starting today, you’re at Pine Forest Camp. A place where everyone belongs, where silly dances are celebrated, and where high-fives, hugs, and happiness are abound.

Like the song goes, â€œWe welcome you to Pine Forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here!” đŸŽ¶

And we really, truly are—MIGHTY glad.
We’ll meet you at the lake!

ONE MORE SLEEP

Dear Pine Forest Families,

From Vermont to Miami, LA to NYC — and everywhere in between — tonight, all across the country and the world, campers are stuffing duffels, hugging pets goodbye, and tossing and turning with excitement. Tomorrow, they’re ours, and we can’t wait to welcome each of them with open arms and huge smiles.

We know what this night feels like for you, too. Your hearts might be beating faster, your eyes tearing up with a swirl of excitement and nerves. Maybe you’re holding your camper extra tight, giving them just one more pep talk and trying your best to play it cool (trust us, it helps!).

Here’s what we want you to know: we’re ready. You’ve chosen well. For 93 summers and five generations, Pine Forest has been a place where kids grow, laugh, and discover who they are. And where parents trust us to take the very best care of what matters most.

Our counselors are trained, our bunks are well-arranged, your notes have been read and re-read. We’ve role-played every situation from homesickness to high-fives. We’ve hung welcome signs, tested our campfire songs, and fluffed every pillow.

So tomorrow, keep those goodbyes short and sweet. And know that we’re here for you, too. Call or email anytime; you’re part of the Pine Forest family, and we’ve got your back just like we’ve got theirs.

Tonight, as your campers drift off to sleep, they’re dreaming big! Of adventures, new friends, and memories they’ll carry forever. And tomorrow, we’ll be here to make those dreams come true.

Bring on SUMMER 2025! It’s going to be the best one yet!

Pine Forest Camp

P.S. This is just the beginning! Stay tuned for Uncle Hughie and the News, our camp blog, named after our beloved founder “Uncle” Hughie Black. We’ll keep you posted on all the camp magic as it happens!