It’s the Fourth of JULY!

July 4^th is one of the best days at camp, so we woke up to pure excitement today! Our 10s came through each bunk decked out in red, white and blue and they paraded around camp with whistles and bullhorns in their decorated golf carts!

We walked into the dining room to find the entire place decorated with red, white and blue balloons and streamers. Even a few inflatable Uncle Sams joined the party! For breakfast, we had waffles with strawberries (red), whipped cream (white), and blueberries (blue) and fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts – a true PFC tradition!

We did lunch the only way we know how to on the 4^th: a cookout in the grove, complete with foot-long hot dogs!

This afternoon, we had an awesome carnival come to camp! It was complete with an inflatable obstacle course for the pool, massive inflatable waterslides and even a dunk tank! Campers loved dunking their counselors.

The highlight of the day takes place after dinner when we have our all-camp talent show at Netsy Playhouse followed by the best fireworks display in Pike County over Mitchell Field. We always hear from alumni that July 4^th reminds them of their cherished time in Greeley. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy birthday America!

There is no more beautiful sound than the human voice in song and today,
the mountains were ringing with the sounds of the A Cappella group
“Backtrack”. Five fabulous voices combined to bring campers the joy of
music at Nesty Playhouse. New songs, old songs and some camper
participation, too. Will there be our own PFC A Cappella group to perform
on Visiting Day?  We’re working on it! Thank you, Backtrack, for a fabulous
performance!

Brian Klugman is a Hollywood movie star and director. Dion Dawkins is a 2^nd round NFL draft pick soon to be a star for the  Buffalo Bills. Both came to camp to talk to campers and answer questions about the big wide world of sports and arts!

Brian held a Q & A  at Netsy Playhouse where he first stepped foot on the stage as a Junior camper.  Now he’s written movies, directed and starred in them and appeared on TV.  In fact you may recognize him for his recurring role in “Frasier” and  “Bones”. And the best part is that he’s a PFC old-timer with his name proudly displayed on our 10 year tree (He was here for 11 years!).

Thanks to our own PFC alum and professional sports broadcaster, Zach Gelb, Dion Dawkins visited us to conduct some camper football drills on Mitchell Field. He signed autographs and answered lots of questions from campers about the life of a big time football player!  We’ve got a lot of Eagles, Giants, Jets and Dolphins fans here, but we all agreed to root for Dion and the Bills this season!

Last night’s all girls campfire was really something special.

The campfire was started by igniting a log saved from the end of last summer marked 2016. Every summer is special but we link ourselves to those who have come before us at PFC for the last 87 summers.

Every camper received a bracelet with four strands of color; Green for Gratitude, Blue for Inspire, Gold for Respect, Purple for Love and all tied in a knot for Support.

G.I.R. L. S.

Our great division leaders told stories, led songs and talked about how we all may have different ideas and come from different backgrounds but at camp how we all support each other as one family.

The campfire ended with a rousing chorus of “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Taps” and “Friends” and s’mores!

It’s new. It’s crazy. It’s fun.

Campers are loving the new American ninja Warrior course.  First, you jump side to side on tilted “islands”, then cross a log, pull yourself up a ramp with rope, leap between swinging rings, climb across a wall using special grab links and run to hit the buzzer at the end. On go the flashing lights as your bunkmates cheer!  You need agility and strength (and a sense of humor).

It’s the all-new PFC American Ninja Warrior course!

Back from the wilderness!

Bunk Fern survived the first overnight hike of the summer! Crunched together in their round yurt campers slept pretty well last night.  There was a chill in the air as they awoke on a  beautiful morning to the  sound of woodpeckers and songbirds. They rolled up their sleeping bags and headed back to camp for an outdoor breakfast in the grove. Made to order omelets awaited them.  Does it get any better than that? Not much.

The secret is out!

Yesterday Seniors and Hi-Seniors got the names of their “little sisters” . Now it’s up to them to provide clues as to who they are. Is that a note under my pillow? A bracelet in my cubby? Who made my bed for me? Soon there will be the big reveal, when older campers identify themselves to their little sisters at the all-girls Big Sister/Little sister campfire.

There’s excitement and mystery in the air throughout girls camp!

Basketball leagues have begun.

The NBA just had the draft and so did PFC. Last night, High Seniors divided into teams and began the first games of the 2017 league program. Intramural leagues were started at Pine Forest back in the 1960’s by Stan Ward, coach of Brown University and taken to a new and exciting level by our own award-winning  Athletic Director  Steve Chadwin. Every division is divided into equal teams and there’s all-out competition until at the end of the summer one team in each division is crowned champion.  It’s fun, it’s high energy, and the winners get their names inscribed forever in Hughie Hall. (Named after Hughie Black, our own basketball star.)

It’s Hoops time in Hughie Hall!

Maybe it’s the new smell of pine trees or the first bird you hear, but when you wake up at camp it’s awesome. Look to your left, look to your right and there are camp friends right next to you. Can life get any better?! Okay, the bad news is you still have to brush your teeth, but this is gonna be a day like no other. You’re at camp! You’ve made it through your first night, the clouds part, the sun shines, the worries disappear, the fun starts.

Oh, what a beautiful morning!