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!
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!”
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.
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.
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, sautéed 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!
The moment you step off that bus, you’re not just arriving at camp—you’re stepping into the magical world of PFC, “Up 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, “We welcome you to Pine Forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here!”
And we really, truly are—MIGHTY glad. We’ll meet you at the lake!
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!
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 2025, camp’s 94th 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.
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 93 years that have gone to camp for 10 years or more. It’s a badge of honor when 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!
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!
