Ok, so…
USTA Tennis Tournament, U11 Boys Baseball, U15 Boys Hockey and TOP Cooks all before lunch.
Then…Superstar Golf, Kelli Moshen Dance, Boys Pool Taps Tournament…
Evening activity hasn’t even started yet.
What did you do today!?!?
Category: Uncategorized
Dueling Campfires!
There’s nothing like a campfire.
And last night there were two of them that filled the night with song and cheer.
The Junior boys visited Uncle Marvin Black, celebrating his 81st summer at Pine Forest. He told them stories that dated back to the beginning of camp and taught them a Native American rain chant and dance. Uncle Marv led the Juniors in a dance around the campfire while they sang “Wa Ta Ho!” (And believe it or not, you could feel a few drops of rain!) Then the campers went inside to see Uncle Marv’s his antique sports collection including tennis racquets dating back to wooden and metal ones from the 60’s and 70’s. Uncle Marv also showed the Juniors the original Pine Forest telephone. It has a crank handle and was a party line back in the day. It was the one and only telephone in camp for many years. No cell phones? The campers were amazed!
And over the trees you could hear the beautiful sounds of the all –girls’ campfire. The Hi –Seniors taught the younger girls all of the traditional Pine forest songs, the Alma Mater, “When Lights are Low…” and “High in the Mountains”. After the singing and storytelling, counselors talked about the importance of being a good friend, a considerate bunkmate, and an important part of the camp family. The message was to think about others and not just oneself. Every girl left with a special bracelet as a remembrance of that special night.
We’ll keep the spirit and the magic of those campfires alive forever.
Cedar Survives an Overnight Hike!
“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.” John Muir
They trudged through the woods, past pastures, hidden streams and wildflowers to a pine grove covered with pine needles. Along the way they encountered salamanders, chased frogs and saw deer. At the end of the trail stood the yurt, half tent , half hut where they would sleep for the night. Bunk Cedar out of camp, in the wild!
The outdoor rec staff taught them how to prepare dinner (shish kabob) and set up camp. They played games like “capture the flag” and “kick the can”. Around the campfire songs were sung and stories told, even a few old school campfire games like “Black Magic” (Zach deciphered the secret code) and “I’m going to Grandmother’s House” (Jack was the first to figure out the clue).
Nighttime fell, a beautiful star –filled sky above the pines and then Bunk Cedar boys were fast asleep. All was silent, the kind of quiet you don’t hear at home or even back in camp. If you listened carefully, you could hear the sound of a distant woodpecker and a few crickets. You could smell the smoke from the campfire and the sweet scent of pinecones.
Jarod woke up first and then all of the boys in Cedar were up at the crack of dawn. Soon they were hiking back to camp for an outdoor breakfast in the grove, featuring made-to- order omelets and chocolate chip pancakes.
Camp is many things, but there’s nothing like an overnight hike.
LAUNDRY!
It’s the first laundry day at camp, always a lot of fun (?!). OK, campers, sheets in one bag, white clothes in the other and colored items in the third. That’s right, all of our stuff goes in together. Group life! Now we carry those bunk bags to the designated pick up spot and like a spaceship coming from another planet, big laundry trucks appear, and roll into camp right on schedule. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. The real fun is getting the bags back in a few days…who’s socks are these? Hey Josh, you’re still using those Disney sheets from when you were a Junior? Whoa, my shorts shrunk! Laundry at camp, an adventure every week!
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness at Camp
July 4th at Pine Forest. It’s only mid-morning and it feels like a celebration. We awoke to a rain storm and the good news that we had “late sleep”! Awesome! One hour later the skies cleared and we walked into the dining room to find the entire place decorated with red, white and blue balloons! And the food too, red strawberries, blueberries and white whipped cream on our homemade crème brulee “French” (ok, we’ll call it “ American toast”, today!) And of course the traditional Krispy Kreme donuts.
As the boys finished breakfast a little spontaneous joy broke out when, Lucy, one of our kitchen staff started doing the Macarena line dance with Josh, head of the lake. Before we knew it about 100 boys campers, counselors and even Mickey and Barbara joined in the dance and we were all goovin’ to the music in our red white and blue garb.
But the best is yet to come! This afternoon, Circus time brings huge inflatable rides, the pools will be open, and we have an all-camp carnival with booths created by campers. (They’ve been working on them for days) They’ll be prizes, face painting and music.
After dinner it’s the highlight of the day, our all-camp talent show, followed by the best fireworks display in Pike County, Pa.!! All under the watchful eye of our own Greeley Volunteer Fire Company.
This must be what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they wanted us to pursue happiness. We are, and we’re grateful to live in a country where we can.
In Full Swing
It all started with coffee cake.
Gaga, dodgeball leagues, Jr. boys at yoga, mud pie at cooking, volleyball leagues and World Cup Soccer vied for today’s most talked about activities around camp.
Nafis took a few brave upper camp boys on a climbing trip to use their climbing and adventure skills at nearby Shickshinny rocks.
Homemade Rice Krispie treats for dessert.
And it’s only day three. Camp is buzzing.
We’re more than ‘OK’!
Our campers are more than “OK”, they’re great! Last night every counselor wrote an “I’m OK” card home introducing themselves and the bunk. And it’s a real card, hand-written by your child’s real Counselors! The penmanship might not always be the best but the happy sentiments are real. The first full day of camp was absolutely terrific. Activities are in full swing, there have been sign ups for the talent show and inter camp teams and the fun is at full throttle. We’ve been lucky to start off with magnificent weather. Camp is off with a bang, our campers have hit the ground running. Look for your counselor “I’m OK” card in the mail. Hey, by the way, we’re ok, how are things back in civilization?!
Kugel Makes a Comeback!
Just like your Bubbe used to make, our own Barbara Black made a delicious homemade kugel to go with tonight’s Bar B Que chicken, fresh( not canned) sweet potatoes, stir fried fresh vegetables and cranberry sauce ,strawberry spinach salad and apple Brown Betty. Wow! Are we on a cruise ship? A weekend at Grossingers? Or is this the best darn food, this side of the Delaware River?! Campers loved tonight’s dinner and tomorrow we crank up the wood burning pizza oven! Are we foodies or is this just the good life at camp?
Pine Forest Camp Sets Sail!
Last night campers all over the world went to bed at home with great hopes and big dreams for the summer. New friends, fun and adventure. And today their dreams will come true.
Step off those buses, out of your cars, off of the airplanes and step into your summer home. We can’t wait to welcome you.
Parents, relax. We’ll take over from here. Your children are in good hands, the best.
All of the planning and preparation is over and the first campers have arrived just hours ago.
Pine Forest’s 84th summer begins now.
So sing it as loud as you can, from Florida, to New York City to Europe and back to Bethesda, Maryland and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. It’s the Pine Forest Welcome song, “We welcome you to Pine forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here. We’ll set the air reverberating with a might cheer!”
Let the fun begin. Our ship sets sail now. All good things are yet to come.
Hiding Behind My Ray-Bans
Yes, that will be me tomorrow, hiding behind my Ray-Bans. Me, who promotes camp to other parents and me, who believes whole-heartedly in the unparalled benefits and fun of overnight camp. But, still, that’ll be me.
It doesn’t matter how much you know they’ll love it, it doesn’t matter that you know they’re about to make friends and memories that last a lifetime and it doesn’t matter that you know they’re about to have more fun than they ever thought possible. The bottom line is, letting your child go, allowing and empowering them to spread their wings without you is hard. Really hard. I think of this as the most selfless act we as parents have probably ever done to date. Putting our needs and wants second to what we know is best for our children…Something we do everyday, but this is the granddaddy act of them all.
I find all the comfort and solace I need knowing my children will be safe, loved and cared for by some of the most amazing people I know. My children will be making friends and living with other amazing children, who, like them, just want to have fun and take in all camp has to offer; pure unadulterated fun. The summer of 2014 at Pine Forest is going to be incredible so I truly can’t wait for my children to get started!
Mom and dads, good luck tomorrow! I like to keep the morning short and sweet. That’s my advice. And, of course, wear sunglasses.
xoxo,
Hillary
