Category: Pine Forest Camp

Week 1: Favorites by Division

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Overall, it’s been an active week filled with friendly competition and incredible evening activities! Basketball Leagues continue to be the highlight for many campers, while great camp food, especially Chinese, Grove Breakfast, and pizza, has been a major hit. When campers have free time, most are happiest relaxing with their friends in or around their bunks! Read on!

Junior Girls:

Favorite Activity: Cooking, ropes, gymnastics, soccer, Newcomb, basketball

Favorite Meal: Chinese, waffles, French toast

Favorite Spots: Marvin Hall, Lower horseshoe, Campfire, Hughie Hall, Canteen

Inter Girls:

Favorite Activity: Cooking, gymnastics, football, BBK, dance, gaga, soccer

Favorite Meal: Chinese, meatballs, pasta, pizza, Italian, chicken tenders

Favorite Spots: Campfire, bunk, Nets Playhouse, game deck, Hughie Hall

Senior Girls:

Favorite Activity: The seniors favorite activities this past week have been the mostest, statues, soccer, volleyball, tennis, and beach volleyball!

Favorite Meal: The seniors said their favorite meals this week were Chinese and pizza!

Favorite Spots: The seniors LOVE spending time together in their bunk, the game deck, and their bunk porch!

Hi-Senior Girls:

Favorite Activity: The high seniors have loved tennis, pickleball and cooking.

Their favorite evening activities have been name that tune and trash fashion!

Favorite Meal: The high seniors love Chinese!

Favorite Spots: The high senior girls love hanging together on their bunk porches and on Chadwin court!

Junior Boys:

Favorite Activity: basketball leagues

Favorite Meal: Chicken tenders and fries

Favorite Spot: Hal’s Game Deck

Inter Boys:

Favorite Activity: softball leagues (extra innings)

Favorite Meal: chicken tenders and fries

Favorite Spot: Boys’ camp

Senior Boys:

Favorite Activity: Basketball Leagues dominate the activity vote across nearly every bunk.

Favorite Meal:Grove Breakfast was the clear meal favorite, with Chinese and pizza close behind.

Favorite Spot: The bunk remains the unquestioned favorite place to relax between activities.

Hi-Senior Boys:

Favorite Activity: Basketball Leagues continue to be the favorite activity.

Favorite Meal: Chinese remains the most popular meal by a wide margin.

Favorite Spot: Campers split much of their free time between the Dining Hall and their bunks.

A Star-Spangled Day at Camp

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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! 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 fried 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!”

PFC BIG & LITTLE SISTERS 2026

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PFC BIG & LITTLE SISTERS 2026 🌲✨

It all started a few days ago with mysterious notes left on their beds! 💌 Our inter and junior girl campers received their very first letters from their anonymous camp big sisters — filled with fun clues and hints. Oh, the excitement of not knowing who your big sis could be! 👀🔍

Cue the comparing of notes and the non-stop, “Wait, do you think it’s HER?!” 💖

Our big and little sisters were finally revealed tonight! AND we got blue and gold PFC nail polish! 💙💛💅

But this is just the beginning! All summer long, bigs and littles will share special events and hobby time visits. The best is yet to come! 👯‍♀️

Welcome Home, Campers!

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Cue the confetti!

Our 95th Summer at Pine Forest Camp has officially begun!

FINALLY! We’re back! Together in Greeley, here in the place we’ve been dreaming of all year long. We are so ready for another unforgettable summer in the beautiful Pocono Mountains! It’s hard to adequately explain the feeling in the air today. The joy, the love, the excitement, the anticipation…It’s in the dining hall, in the bunks… Someone pinch us! We’ve been counting down for the past 10 months to get to this moment. And for some, it’s a dream that’s been years in the making (we’re looking at you, first-time campers!).

The morning began with families arriving by car, bringing hopes and dreams and joyful reunions down the winding road. Soon after, buses rolled into camp from Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, carrying campers from near and far (including Florida, Colorado, Arizona, California, and beyond!). Did it rain? It sure did. But ya know what?! It didn’t even matter! A little rain can’t bring us down today. The dining hall was filled with cheers and chants like we never left. And all buses arrived by 12:45PM in time for a camp pizza lunch – the stuff of dreams!

The afternoon was filled with icebreakers, bunk bonding, meeting new friends, reconnecting with old ones, divisional welcomes from our leadership team, and the ever-important health screenings and lice checks at the health center from a professional company, Lice Free Noggins (if you don’t get a call, your camper is lice-free)!

Tonight, the excitement continues with what we know will be a dining hall full of singing, dancing, and our favorite opening day dinner: Chinese food! Chicken, veggie fried rice, lo mein, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, fortune cookies, and a whole lot of happy campers. We’re heading to the official summer kick-off at Netsy Playhouse and then onto evening activities.

We made it. You made it. Camp is officially underway, and what a beautiful, joyful first day it’s been here in Greeley. Summer 2026 is off to an amazing start, and if today is any indication, it’s going to be our best summer yet!

What I’ll Be Reading This Summer at Camp

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Mickey’s blog on summer reading for grown-ups!

People often ask camp directors, “How do you sleep at night? Aren’t you worried about all of those children and counselors in your care?”

I’ve always slept well at camp, better than the rest of the year. First of all, it’s the cool mountain nights, the orchestral sound of crickets, and the sweet smell of pines that provide the perfect atmosphere for a good night’s sleep.

And I don’t worry. Quite the opposite, I know that I am surrounded by competent, dedicated, mature individuals who are well-trained, trustworthy, and prepared to take care of children. And having grown up in a family who have taken care of children for four generations, going to bed, waking up, and welcoming each day for 95 years gives me a certain kind of confidence that is at my core.

But I also like to read before I close my eyes. Each summer, in addition to our exciting book club books, I try to pick readings for my personal enjoyment that are befitting a camp setting. I usually choose books about nature or adventure. Here are two newly published books that I’ll have on my nightstand in my cabin this summer. You may want to read them too!

“The Fullness of Time” by Cathy Haynes — Marking the day by birdsong, blooms, shadows, and stars.

“This Vast Enterprise” by Craig Fehrman — A new history of Lewis and Clark.

Enjoy! And keep reading!

Fun Facts about Pine Forest Camp

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Spring is in the air! We can’t believe Summer 2026, camp’s 95th 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.

Hal’s Deck – Located in Boys’ Camp and named after Boys’ Head Counselor, Hal Schwartz, in celebration of his 20th summer at PFC.

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 94 years that have gone to camp for 10 years or more.  It’s a badge of honor for 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!

Eric Morin, 4th-Generation Director
Lisa Fayne, Assistant Director
Hal and Sarah Schwartz, Head of Boys & Girls Camp

ONE MORE SLEEP

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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!