At boys’ morning line-up everyday, Hal shares a fun fact with all of boys’ camp – his “Did you Know” segment (inspired by one of his favorite camp friends who started this tradition many years ago!). This morning, in honor of National Social Media Day, he shared that 1 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube each day!…and that one of the many joys of camp is being able to tune out of that and enjoy this time face-to-face with our closest friends.  

And we couldn’t be happier! Today in lower camp, the junior girls were spotted being brave and having fun at the ropes course, the junior boys were busy making candles (how fun!) at arts and crafts, and in addition to playing softball (the girls) and basketball leagues (the boys), the intermediate divisions all made a visit to the lake today!

Senior girls had a blast during football leagues, and senior boys all had the chance to perfect their swings on the tennis courts. Our hi-seniors were spotted all around camp at various choice activities, from cooking to archery to spin class, and we can’t forget about our CAs who left for Costa Rica today! We’ll miss them but we know they’ll have the BEST time.

Have you checked out our WEEK ONE video? It’s worth more than 1000 words!

WOW! Friday was an action-packed day at PFC. How are we already closing out our first full week at camp?! 

For starters, we had our first inter-camp day – Greeley Games – where Pine Forest, Camp Timber Tops, and Lake Owego all played sports against one another. Campers could sign up to play soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, archery, and/or a fishing competition! Campers had a blast. And next week, we’ll do it all again!

For lunch, we had a real fan favorite: quesadillas with all the fixings! YUM. Speaking of yum, we also had our very first camp Friday night dinner. We were practically sprinting to the dining hall for the world’s best challah, delicious matzo ball soup, BBQ chicken, and then amazing apple crumble. The BEST. 

Our day ended with our first Friday night service, where we gathered as a whole camp for the first time. Looking up at the stands at Netsy Playhouse, a sea of campers and counselors in their blue and gold – you could really feel the camp love! Bunk Marigold led us in a beautiful service, where they each shared what growing up at Pine Forest has meant to them. 

The fun didn’t stop there, though! Junior boys were off to play Gaga, a Friday night tradition. Inter boys played a riveting game of hyperspace. Senior boys were busy playing dodgeball, and our hi-senior boys played a crowd favorite too: “voccer” – a combination of volleyball and soccer! What a night! 

Girls’ camp gathered for their first Friday night campfire! They sang songs together, danced, and of course – made s’mores! It was a big hit. Campers also received their special G.I.R.L.S. bracelets, made up of 5 strings that represent Gratitude, Inspiration, Respect, Love, and Support. We’ll   

How is it possible that we’ve already been here a week? Slow down, time! Bring on the weekend! We’re ready for more.

Live from Mitchell Field: It’s Capture the Asagi! Tonight our Senior Boys, dressed in blue and gold, chased each other through camp in an effort to capture the hidden ninja warrior captain of the opposing team! Lots of running, cheering and, most importantly, fun! We’ll sleep well tonight!

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 ice cream sandwiches, picture frames and — get this — we even got blue and gold PFC shoelaces!

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.

Big brother/little brother is also in the works for boys’ side, so stay tuned for more details about that soon! This special PFC tradition is a highlight every summer, for sure.

Looking around, you would never guess that camp has only just begun! On day one, campers picked up exactly where they left off: playing ping-pong, singing songs in the dining hall, and running from bunk to bunk to see friends. New campers have jumped right in, too, and within a few hours you couldn’t tell a new camper from a returning one. 

The past few days have been action-packed! Our junior and inter divisions enjoyed their first trip down to the lake – playing on the wibits has been especially fun! We’ve had several groups of campers get to check out a fun, new choice activity this year: karaoke! We’ve jumped right into all of our sports leagues and clinics, we’ve ziplined at ropes, we’ve done lots of swimming, and so much more!

Mickey announced a fun new challenge for boys’ camp: how many different types of wildlife can they find this summer? So far there have been reports of red tail hawks, snapping turtles, the infamous orange salamander, and of course chipmunks and squirrels, too. And to think: we’re only three days in! What will campers find next?!

Other sightings in only the first 2 full days of camp in addition to the large snapping turtle, red tailed hawks, and the infamous orange salamanders: Deer, Doe, Chipmunks, Squirrels, Beetles, Worms, Caterpillars, Rabbits, Centipedes, Snakes and.. an eagle and a fox were reported, but we’re waiting for further visual confirmation.

Everywhere we turn, we’re reminded of the magic of camp: true friendships that pick up right where they left off, opportunities to make new friends and try new activities, and time outside to run around and play. The best part? The fun has only just begun!

What a glorious, dare we say BRISK day here in Greeley! What a delight! 

This morning started with eggs, fresh berries, Texas french toast and french toast sticks for breakfast which warmed us right up in time for spin class, dance, waterskiing, lake inflatables, tennis, music, mountain biking, outdoor rec. and more! So many choices before a camp-favorite lunch: turkey taco bar with soft shells and hard shells and all the fixin’s! Hey, do you know the guacamole song? We do!

Did you remember to write your first big/little sister note in preparation for Wednesday? (More about that later!) Tonight, a Greek-inspired dinner and we’re off to divisional evening activities. We have so much to look forward to under the Greeley sky. Life is good at camp!

Good morning, Pine Forest Camp! Cinnamon rolls for breakfast?! YES!

This morning we played tennis, rode mountain bikes, started leagues, tried gymnastics and more. After all of the excitement of Opening Day, a little rain this afternoon allowed us extra time to write letters home and play cards with our bunkmates.

Plus, Taylor Swift fans aren’t the only ones making friendship bracelets. In Arts and Crafts, instead of making individual necklaces, Bunk Linden chose to make an “all-bunk” necklace with everyone’s name on it! Talk about Bunk Unity! (Who gets to take it home?)

The weather cleared just in time for general swim, which was a SPLASH! Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. Its good to be in Greeley!

We’re mighty glad you’re here!

Our 93rd summer begins NOW and it’s going to be the best one ever. Leave your worries at home. When you step off of that bus or out of your car, you’re going to be stepping into a summer of Pine Forest fun, “Up where the sky begins.”

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or how you get here. It doesn’t matter what happened all school year long. If your destination is Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania today -you are in for the summer of your life.

As we sing every year on opening day, “We welcome you to Pine Forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here!” And we are. Mighty glad.

Dear Pine Forest Families,

From Vermont to Miami. From LA to NYC. Today and tonight, all across the country and the world, children are getting ready to go to Pine Forest Camp. And tomorrow we welcome them, with open arms, big smiles and high fives. And with high hopes too, for each and every camper. 

For some parents we know that your hearts are beating a little faster,  that you might be fighting back tears of both excitement and nervousness, that you’re holding your camper a little tighter and doing your best to stay calm. We also know it’s so much easier said than done to try to play it cool (which we recommend you try)!

We want to tell you that we’re ready for your children, and that you’ve made the best choice in choosing Pine Forest. After 92 seasons and five generations you can count on us.

We’ve trained our counselors on everything from first aid to kindness. We’ve role-played difficult situations and every day camp situations. We’ve read and re-read your confidential forms and notes. We’ve meticulously arranged bunks, made welcome signs, and put the final touches on activity areas. Try to keep goodbyes short and sweet, and if you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts call or email us any time. We’re here for you children, but we’re here for you too!

Good luck in these final moments and know that the gifts of camp you’re giving are immeasurable. When your children step off their buses and cars, we’ll be waiting and ready to give them the best summer of their lives.

Dream big tonight campers! Our job is to make those dreams come true.

Bring on SUMMER 2024!

P.S. This will be the first of our camp blogs! Look for them here: Uncle Hughie and the News named after “Uncle” Hughie Black, our founder! Make sure to check back for all camp happenings!