What I’ll Be Reading This Summer at Camp

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!

Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!

We’re already halfway through January and we’ve got a LOT to look forward to as we plan for our 95th season: Summer 2026. Take a look! 👀

♥️ February 1: Our new and prospective (!!) camper event at Chelsea Piers in NYC! Both and new future campers are welcome! Call or email for more info.

📱 570-685-7141
📧

🍀 March: We’ll be attending the American Camp Association Tri-State Conference. We can’t wait to pick up new ideas (And inflatables? 👀) to bring back to Greeley, PA.

🍃 April: We’ll be finishing up some big improvements we’ve been working on all year long! Our local team wakes up our cabins and we bring our favorite PFC leaders together to fine-tune our camp plans.

🌲 May 30-31: New Camper Weekend at CAMP in Greeley, PA! We can’t wait to spend the weekend enjoying everything PFC has to offer with our new campers and their families.

These are just the highlights! Follow along to see what we’re working on and where we’ll be this year — and, hey! PFC Alumni! We hope to see you at our 95th Summer Celebration Weekend: August 29-30, 2026 ☀️

The Things We Carry

Like the song says, “All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go.” Mountain Baggage, R&B Baggage, UPS, and FedEx.

Today we pack up, have our awards ceremonies, and tonight it’s the candlelighting. It feels like we just arrived, but we’re coming home with so much more than we can pack in a bag: New friends, new adventures, new confidence. There isn’t a duffle bag or shipping company big enough to handle it.

Those are the things we carry.

PFC COLOR DAYS 2025

Color Days 2025 has begun!And the teams are…
OLYMPUS GOLD vs. ATLANTIS BLUE
What was the surprise, or “break,” to start it all?

Just as it got dark, we heard faint music rumbling in boys’ and girls’ camps; then it got louder. Clouds and waves coasted through the loops and led us, running, to Mitchell Field. Boom! Fireworks! Our division leaders, lanterns in-hand, led us up Ted’s Trail. Lit by torches, we passed vignettes of the Color Days themes. Or so we thought!

Zeus and Poseidon led us onto Leslee Field which was transformed into a blue and gold wonderland. Olympus Gold vs Atlantis Blue! Bubbles filled the air, we took our seats, and BOOM! On a GIANT concert-sized LED screen played an epic Color Days video, featuring Color Days scenes from the past 94 years. Characters fueled by the power of the Gods and the strength of the ocean marched down the steps into a sea of campers. Chad took the stage, Color Days 2025 had BEGUN.

Color Days lasts for 3 full days of competition with games, skits and songs all culminating in “The Sing.” To follow every score, game, and exciting moment, we have a SPECIAL PAGE designed just for PFC’s Color Days. Keep checking it for the latest news!
 Reminder: Please no visitors at camp for any reason.Color Days is for current PFC campers-only!Let the fun and competition begin!

Visiting Day and the 10-Year Tree Ceremony

Excitement was in the air today as we welcomed family and friends for Visiting Day 2025! What an amazing day all-around! Parents gushed over all of the amazing artwork campers have been working on all summer, families swam in the pools, tackled the Wibits at the lake, and even enjoyed a snippet of this year’s production of Wicked at Netsy Playhouse! It was quite a day! 

The warmth we felt wasn’t even weather-related (although we couldn’t have asked for a better day!), it was the warmth from our camp families joining us “Up Where the Sky Begins!” And you know what makes the day even more special? So many parents who were once campers and counselors, reconnecting with old camp friends. Former campers and counselors who made the trip to Greeley to spend a few hours in their favorite place with their favorite people. Our special 10-Year Tree Ceremony, where we celebrate those who have officially spent 10 summers here at camp. Noticing a trend? PFC is simply irresistible! 

We already can’t wait for Visiting Day 2026! We hope to see you there! Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. Campers all had time to cool off in the pool when Visiting Day ended, and tonight boys’ camp will be busy making s’mores around the campfire while girls’ camp will participate in the much anticipated annual MTV Night! We have a few more precious weeks to soak up all this fun!

COLLEGE DAY 2025

College Day 2025 Opening Ceremonies came in like a wrecking ball! 🎶 The energy? Electric. The spirit? Off the charts.

After days of anticipation, Pine Forest Camp has officially split into four spirited teams for two epic days of competition!

This year’s college lineup is:

Pitt

Louisville

Tennessee

Iowa

From the moment the teams were revealed, camp exploded into a sea of colors, cheers, and camaraderie. Campers sprinted to their bunks to grab gear, paint faces, and prep their voices for non-stop cheering.

Last night’s Opening Ceremonies set the tone: loud, proud, and full of heart. The traditions we love—like Steeple Chase, Tug o’ War, and the legendary Rope Burn—lit up the night with excitement. Campers raced, pulled, and cheered each other on with everything they had. Whether you were jumping hurdles or rallying your team at the sidelines, there was only one word to describe it: EPIC.

College Day is more than just games. It’s teamwork. It’s legacy. It’s pushing yourself to go just a little further, run a little faster, cheer a little louder. It’s about making memories that will stick with you long after the team colors fade.

Let the games begin. 🏁 Let the tradition continue. And may the best college win!

Pura Vida!

🇨🇷 Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, our 11th graders are working hard to improve local communities in between rafting, surfing and so much more! They’re leaving an animal sanctuary, local school and National Forest better than they found it. Next, alongside our friends from Camp Timber Tops and Lake Owego Camp, they’ll be organizing a sports day camp for 150+ children. What can’t they do?! We couldn’t be more proud! Pura Vida! ☀️

The Things We Carry

Like the song says, “All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go.”

Mountain Baggage, R&B Baggage, UPS, and FedEx.

Today we pack up, have our awards ceremonies, and tonight it’s the candlelight. It feels like we just arrived.  But we’re coming home with so much more than we can pack in a bag; new friends, new adventures, new confidence. There isn’t a duffle bag or shipping company big enough to handle it.

Those are the things we carry.