Camp News Archives - Page 32 of 35

Sounds of Summer

Posted on May 18, 2015 by PineForest

Hi, From Camp!

There are lots of sounds that make me happy- great music, the songs of birds in the morning, the crackle of a campfire at night. But there’s one sound that we hear only once each year and it fills us with joy, excitement and anticipation.

Last week, Barbara and I went up to Greeley (the temperature was down into the 30s at night!) to open the doors for our first guests of the season. Not our regular PFC campers just yet! It was the Spence School from NYC, whose students and teachers arrived for a few days of team building and discovery at Pine Forest.

When we walked into the dining room for the first meal of the season (PFC Chef Dave Lang’s special BBQ chicken), we heard it. The sounds of children back at camp. Oh, what a happy sound! Laughter, cheers, applause. That’s what we look forward to and work towards all year long. They may not be our “true campers” who arrive on June 27th, but after a long winter, Pine Forest has come alive with the sound of children having fun. And that’s the best sound of all.

Come Meet Us This Summer!

Posted on May 15, 2015 by PineForest

Choosing the right camp for your child is not an easy task. That’s why Pine Forest offers several options to help ease the transition to sleepaway camp, by actually allowing your child to experience a taste of Pine Forest first-hand.

There are a few great ways to get to know us.

Our Explorer Weekend is the ultimate experience for future Pine Forest campers. The weekend is designed to provide all the fun and excitement that our campers love, while giving future campers an opportunity to start making connections that will help in their transition to a longer stay at camp. Explorer campers will experience a full camp schedule including boating at the lake, climbing our adventure course, creating a special project in arts and crafts, games with our athletic director, participating in evening programs, making s’mores at a campfire, and then sleeping in a real cabin – WOW!!

A Play Day has all the wonderful aspects of our Explorer Weekend without the sleepover.

The last way a future Pine Forest camper can experience camp is on a tour. On a tour, you will spend time with our directors and have an opportunity to meet campers and staff and, most importantly, feel the excitement and warmth of Pine Forest Camp.

Enrollment in our programs are limited, so check out your summer calendar and come meet us this summer in Greeley, PA!

Unsure if camp is right for your child? Check out this Parents Magazine blog post written by a Pine Forest parent!

Camp 101.

Posted on May 7, 2015 by PineForest

Things that every camper should and will learn this summer:

Sure it’s all about fun and friendship, becoming independent and learning to live together, but every camper will also return home with these skills. Every Pine Forest camper will come home knowing how to:

– Do the J-stroke

– Start a campfire

– Identify the North Star

– Make a hospital corner

– Build a raft

– Say Hello in Mandarin (we have a few campers coming from China!)

– Make a s’more

– Shoot a lay-up

– Use a compass

– Swim the backstroke

– Belay a rock climber

– Throw a pot

– Tie dye a T-shirt

– Hit a backhand

– Set a table

– Field a ground ball

– Raise the Flag

– Read a trail map

2015 Parent Newsletter!

Posted on April 15, 2015 by PineForest

Spotlight on: Andy!

Posted on April 7, 2015 by PineForest

Meet Andy Borowsky, Head of Boys Camp and new father to daughter, Beau!

Hometown: Newtown, PA
When I’m not at camp, I’m: An Elementary Teacher and Ice Hockey Coach
Years at PFC: 4
Favorite camp meal: Chicken Fingers
Favorite camp tradition: Boys Campfires
Favorite camp song: Any former Color Days song
Favorite evening activity: Tennis Ground Hockey
Favorite part of being Head of Boys Camp: Line ups!
What I’m looking forward to most in 2015 is: Being reunited with all of my camp friends and making new ones.
Describe PFC in 3 words: PINE FOREST CAMP (Ha!)
Fun fact about myself: My wife and I just had our first child!!!

Spotlight on: Amy!

Posted on March 26, 2015 by PineForest

Meet Amy Klimkowski, Head Counselor of Girls’ Camp!

Hometown: Chicago, IL

When I’m not at camp, I’m: A Teacher and Sales Associate for Burton Snowboards

Years at camp: This will be my 10th summer!!! Can’t believe I’ll be going on the tree this year!

Favorite camp meal: Tacos. I can’t get enough. My record is 5 in one lunch! Burp.

Favorite camp tradition: Anything to do with 4th of July. It used to be the only day I would get homesick at camp. Now, 10 years later, I couldn’t imagine spending it anywhere else. The talent show is a highlight of my summer every year. You all rock for getting up there!

Favorite camp song: “I’ve got a pair of combination underwear…”

Favorite evening activity: Capture the Flag or Beach Ball Bonanza

Best part about being a camper: I was never a camper at PFC but I did go to camp when I was a kid. My favorite part of camp was the lake! I couldn’t get enough of it. I spent all day, every day there. Is that a big surprise to you? :)

Favorite part of current role: This is my first year in this role at camp but so far I have been loving it! Having the opportunity to work on projects and continually plan for camp all year long is a dream come true. This summer is going to be AMAZING! Andy and I have some exciting things up our sleeves… Also, a key to the ice cream barn will be a GREAT perk! Shhhh… I’ll share!

Favorite Camp Memory: There have been so many …but hitting a home run over the fence in the Boys’ Camp Home Run Derby contest is an absolute highlight. #hitlikeagirl

What I’m looking most forward to in 2015: Every year, the best part of my summer is spending it with you and making the most of every moment at camp. Also, my sneaker game is going to be on point this summer. I’ve got some funky new kicks I can’t wait to break in! Describe PFC in 3 words: Bliss, Happiness, Home.

Fun fact about myself: I am fluent in American Sign Language and all of the students I teach are Deaf.

Happy 90th Birthday, Appalachian Trail Conservancy!

Posted on March 4, 2015 by PineForest

Today marks the 90th year anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, http://www.appalachiantrail.org/, the organization responsible for protecting the longest hiking trail in the world. The Appalachian Trail stretches 2,185 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. And it goes right through the Delaware Water Gap, not far from Pine Forest Camp. Many of our campers have hiked the Appalachian Trail, led by our intrepid leader Nafis. We have climbed its crests and camped in its valleys. Pine Forest campers salute the Conservancy and thank you for maintaining the beauty of our Appalachian Trail for all to enjoy.

Wilt Chamberlain: PFC Alum…Sort of.

Posted on March 2, 2015 by PineForest

53 years ago today, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single basketball game. Did you know that before Wilt was famous, he worked in the kitchen at PFC!? He was actually “asked to leave”, but later came back to visit after much fame and fortune.

Some remember that when Wilt rode a horse out on Route 6 (not allowed nowadays) his feet would drag on the ground! We’re guessing that if Wilt played in one of our counselor basketball games today, he’d likely score 100 points again.

Here he is signing autographs and posing with Uncle Marv & Mickey.

Vote for PFC!

Posted on February 21, 2015 by PineForest

We’re excited to announce that PFC is currently in the running for three awards!

Camplighter Awards
Category: Promotional Video
Link to vote: http://www.camplighterawards.com/pine-forest/

Philadelphia Family Magazine
Category: Best Overnight Camp
Link to vote: http://phillyfamily.com/profiles/pine-forest-camp/
“Favorite” PFC’s page for 1 point or write an endorsement for 2. Don’t be afraid to do both!

Main Line Parent Magazine
Category: Best Overnight Camp
Link to vote: http://mainlineparent.com/profiles/pine-forest-camp/
Favorite” PFC’s page for 1 point or write an endorsement for 2. Don’t be afraid to do both!

We’ve got this!

The Best Internship Around: Camp Counselor

Posted on February 12, 2015 by PineForest

Many people will tell you that the key to a successful future in the workplace is a solid internship related to your field of (potential) expertise. While that may be true for a lot of people and a lot of careers, a job as a camp counselor can give you the skills to succeed in not only the workplace, but in all aspects of your life. We’ve come up with three major things a summer camp job has the potential to provide, but like anything else, you get out what you put in.

Confidence

One of summer camp’s greatest qualities is its appreciation for individuality. The most notable counselors are the ones who sing the loudest, dress the craziest, and are willing to participate in any and all activities that his or her campers come up with. At camp, it’s hard to feel embarrassed. It is surprisingly easy to step out of your comfort zone and into the uninhibited summer camp lifestyle.

Selflessness

While being a camp counselor can give you a great deal of self-understanding and important life skills, the most successful counselors are those who are not at camp for themselves, but for the campers. Camp teaches you how to put the needs of your campers, or of any group, above your own. In order to deal with confrontations, homesickness, shower hour, and anything else that comes your way in the bunk, you have to know how to prioritize. As camp counselor, you are truly a surrogate parent for your campers and, while their problems may seem small to you, to them they are big and should be treated accordingly.

Leadership Ability

At camp, campers do not judge your ability to show them how to kick a soccer ball, make a friendship bracelet, or ride a zip line. We find that campers instantly idolize a counselor’s ability to do anything, giving you a solid platform to develop and transform your leadership skills from the get-go. You’ve been hired as a camp counselor and specialist in a specific activity; your accountability is already there. This gives you the time to focus on building your character, integrity, commitment, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness.

Category: Camp News