Sometimes the best parts of camp are the ones that are least scripted. Take boys line-up this morning for example. Campers woke up to the sounds of Warren Zevon, James Taylor, and The Monkees! Announcements included basketball try-outs, the discovery of a new winged dinosaur in China, inspirational quotes by Chad about being a person of value, sports news about the NBA and golf, and a reminder about laundry. This was followed by strawberries and French toast for breakfast. Not a bad way to start the day!
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Keep Playing Tennis!
Yesterday was the USTA tennis tournament with campers from all over competing at PFC, but today there was a tennis moment that our campers loved. Just as the boys were finishing their lunch in the grove, they looked over at Mitchell courts, heard the pop of tennis balls being hit and the scuffle of feet and saw 3 generations of Black family men playing a very competitive game of tennis. Uncle Marv, now 90 years old, had a laser beam serve and a backhand that was unstoppable. His son, Mickey, and grandson, Lee, did their best to keep up with him but he was relentless. Even Tennis Director Craig Wallace was impressed. Campers watched the action and rooted for all 3 generations, but mostly for Marv. It was pretty cool. There are a lot of camps out there but not many with 3 generations of tennis-playing directors! As Uncle Marv, who has been a lifetime player, always says, “Keep playing Tennis”! Love-90.
To Blueberry Island and Back
For Huckleberry Finn, it was the Mississippi River. For Marty McFly, it was a time travel in the DeLorean, and to Luke Skywalker it was a Galaxy “far, far away”. But to Senior boys today, it was a canoe trip to the mysterious, enchanted Blueberry Island in the middle of Lake Greeley. Off they went, into the murky waters of the lake. They paddled past other campers on sailboats, kayaks, and water bikes until they vanished into the distance. Onward they paddled. The rocky coast soon loomed large. You could hear the bullfrogs as the lake waters lapped up against the rocky shores of the deserted island. You could smell the pine needles of the trees that bent low over the water’s edge. And then they saw them, in the brushes along the coast, the wild blueberry bushes that they sought. They reached into them, plucked a few, put them in a cup, and brought them back. Their cheers rang out “Blueberries for breakfast! We’ll put them in our pancakes!”
They returned to shore, tired but happy, blueberries in hand.
Take Me Out to the Field
Happy Tuesday! Though the theme of the night is baseball, our campers participated in a several exciting activities today in addition to their regular schedules. Our Inter girls went waterskiing, our boys had a canoe trip on the Delaware River, and our Superstar Golfers were off to Woodloch! We also competed in an 11 and under boys basketball game. Oh, and we had sushi at lunch. No big deal.
Tonight, bunk Iris is on their overnight and the rest of the girls are playing the classic game, “Name That Tune” in Lee’s Rink! Boys camp played Home Run Derby on Mitchell Field complete with Philadelphia soft pretzels. Can’t beat that! Campers cheered for their favorite counselors as they watched them try to hit baseballs as far as they could. The ultimate goal was to hit the balls over the fence. Our big winner was Caleb from bunk Cedar. Congrats, Cedar! Those who wanted to watch the MLB All-Star Game got to do so in the new Greeley Theater!
There is so much to look forward to tomorrow, starting with the USTA tournament which is hosted by PFC this year! We’re also hosting 15 and under girls basketball against Camp Timber Tops. Our international campers and many of our international counselors will be taking an all day trip to NYC! We’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Until then, lights out!
Just Another Magic Monday
Stop what you’re doing and check out our week in review! What was Mickey’s first job was at camp? The answer may surprise you.
Now that you’re caught up, our Hi-Senior 9s are going to see The Goonies at Bethel Woods tonight! Yes, right where Woodstock took place. Not a bad way to watch a classic. Our 10s are excited for their bowling night tonight and lower camp will be celebrating their 11 and under boys 4-0 soccer win and 2nd place in the Hughie Black tournament. Not too shabby, boys!
On an administrative note, we really appreciate the positive feedback that our bunk newsletters have been getting. We’re having a lot of fun with them, too! If you can’t get enough of your kids (who can, anyway?!), don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram! We will keep the updates coming.
Sun Day Sunday
The girls pool drew a big, enthusiastic crowd today as campers enjoyed another beautiful day at PFC. It was the perfect day for a scuba diving class! Yes, you heard right- the photos are already online! They’ll be back at the pool tonight for the co-ed luau party! Hi-Seniors frolicked on the beach on Lake Greeley and the fields were busy with soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. Bunk Banana returned from their overnight to a cookout breakfast and headed down to get cleaned up after a night in the wild. Speaking of campfires, Junior girls learned a campy Native American song from Uncle Marv, “Wah Ta Ho” at his special campfire last night. He also told them about Pine Forest’s history. Did you know that the girls Head Counselor’s office was an ice house and that the dining room was in the Guest House? He then told them a story about his track team that came from behind to win a race against a much more talented team, because Uncle Marv’s team never gave up. Our older female divisions played an intense game of capture the flag that spanned the entire camp. It was pink against black, but nobody’s really sure who won, but it sure was fun!
Fired Up
Before we delve into today, we have to give a shout out to bunk Cherry for doing an awesome job leading services last night. Our boys really enjoyed the Big Brother-Little Brother campfire that followed. We have another special campfire tonight: the Junior girls campfire at Uncle Marv’s cabin. This is a special tradition that brings together story telling, songs, and s’mores!
Today we hosted some great future campers for a Play Day, which is part of our Explorers Program. They had perfect weather and loved participating in camp activities! Our other Explorer sessions are filling up fast and we look forward to seeing so many new faces! But to get to the part that you have all been waiting for, we had some GREAT meals today! Grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch, and Chinese buns, noodles, and spicy salad for dinner. Did we mention the chocolate dipped bananas we had after dinner? Who said camp food was boring?
Oh, and if you’re looking for some light beach reading, WEEK 2 BUNK NEWSLETTERS ARE UP!
TGIF!
TGIF!
Today is Friday and camp is in full swing. A final cast list for “The Little Mermaid” was posted and guess what? Everybody made the show! There’s even a huge stage crew! Also today, we had an Intercamp lacrosse tournament and slack-lining at Outdoor Recreation. Lots of volleyball today for the high senior girls and high senior boys! Riding classes practiced jumping and also got in a few trail rides. And it was a beautiful day for waterskiing on Lake Wallenpaupack!
Not only was lunch our favorite chicken patty sandwiches, but Chef Nick served a variety of delicious gourmet pizzas from our wood burning pizza oven. Tonight after services, we’re looking forward to a dance performance that campers spent all week perfecting with Kelly Moshen, followed by dueling campfires; the first Big Brother-Little Brother campfire and an all-girls campfire.
So much to do, so much fun at camp. In the words of Sebastian from the Little Mermaid, “You’ve got your own style, now let it shine…”!
Ultimate Funk!
Another active day at Pine Forest Camp! It started with the debut of a breakfast quiche that turned out to be a big hit! We had guest baseball coaches and players here running a clinic, while Kelli Moshen led the last day of rehearsals for tomorrow’s dance performance to “Uptown Funk.” We also offered a high energy ultimate Frisbee clinic and demonstration led by several Philadelphia Spinners players! Meanwhile, on the waterfront, many of our campers participated in a four-camp swim meet and back at Lake Greeley, our junior boys were the first to test out our brand new, two person water bikes! They passed with flying colors. We sent yet another rock climbing trip out and our junior girls spent time dominating the newcomb court. Our 11th graders are having an amazing time in Costa Rica and post pictures whenever they have the opportunity!
We’re looking forward to a sunny, activity-filled weekend in Greeley!
Conquering Rick’s Rock!
Nafis, our intrepid outdoor adventure and trip leader took campers out to scale one of the most famous rock climbing areas on the east coast. “Rick’s Rock” is near the Delaware Water Gap on the eastern facing cliff of Catfish Mountain. Belay on! Our campers made it to the summit and were back in time for dinner!
Back at camp, Ari in arts and crafts showed campers how to make a hand-made doll called a Muneca Quitapenas, originally from Guatemala. You are supposed to put them under your pillow so they can ensure that you have peaceful slumber.
Also today, the new “Greeley Theater” was unveiled with real theater seats and a small performance area! Great for bunk skits, evening activities, and classic movies.
Senior boys flipped around in gymnastics and our wood burning pizza oven was cranking out delicious hand-crafted pizza. Bunk Hemlock headed out on their overnight tonight with a football and extra dessert in tow.
And if you were listening, Mickey was interviewed live on NPR radio’s national show, “On Point” about the joys of classic camping! Awesome!
