Tag: Best Summer Ever

What’s new in 2015!?

Posted on by PineForest

Here’s something to talk about this Memorial Day weekend. What’s new and awesome at PFC this summer!

– Most bunks will have new sinks, new vanities and…fans!

– Pool makeover – Expect some colorful umbrellas, beach chairs and landscaping at both the girls’ & boys’ pool. Ya Mon!

– New stage at Netsy Playhouse!

– Boys’ camp game deck for our knock-hockey fanatics! Score!

– Sports Broadcasting Clinic! Who’s the next Howard Cosell? or better yet, Zach Gelb!?

– New movie theater seating in Greeley Theater!

– An additional LAUNDRY RUN! WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?! #GAMECHANGER!

– New paving & landscaping around camp! A facelift, if you will…!

– Kelli Moshen is back! Hip-Hop Boot Camp!

– Night at the Ballpark (RailRiders AAA Baseball) for all upper campers!

– Surf Bikes at the lake! THEY’RE BACK! Bigger and better.

– Another wood-burning pizza oven! That makes two! We love Pizza.

– TOP Baseball. No extra charge. Available to all players interested. Gonna be a home-run!

– All-camp Survivor Day!

– Special Krav Maga Clinic!

These are just some of the things we’re working on in the Pine Forest Camp Laboratories…

Happy 90th Birthday, Appalachian Trail Conservancy!

Posted on 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.

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Wilt Chamberlain: PFC Alum…Sort of.

Posted on 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.

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The Best Internship Around: Camp Counselor

Posted on 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.

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A True Counselor Hunt!

Posted on by PineForest

What makes PFC great? The people. No question. We take pride in hiring the best counselors around to make each and every summer at Pine Forest exceptional! Former campers, athletes, coaches, teachers, bio-engineers…You name it. We search far and wide to find great people.

Last week, one of our directors, Lee, went overseas to Manchester, London and Krakow (Poland!!) to search for a few sensational international specialist counselors for activities including: Ropes, Aquatics, Waterfront, Outdoor Rec., and much more! There’s nothing like meeting applicants in person.

Here are some new faces to look forward to seeing this summer at PFC!

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What a weekend!

Posted on by PineForest

Wow! With two extraordinary new campers events in the books, we’re ready for summer 2015! Campers from far and wide came to meet one another, bowl, tumble, bounce, climb, eat and most importantly, get super excited about the upcoming summer! Always great to meet some new friends before the summer even starts!

We’ll mark this past weekend down in the ‘win’ column. We are so lucky to have so many nice new families!

But wait, there’s more… FAMILY SKI DAY! Saturday February 7th – For more info, call us. 267-639-2488

And then, NEW CAMPER WEEKEND: June 6-7

PFC doesn’t stop!

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We love our new campers!

Posted on by PineForest

Beginning tomorrow, PFC kicks-off a whirlwind weekend filled with new camper events!

A great opportunity for new campers to meet one another, eat some pizza and get excited for the 2015 summer!

Saturday Jan. 11th – Playdrome in Devon: 1 – 3pm

Sunday Jan. 12th – The Field House at Chelsea Piers: 1:30p – 3:30p

Any questions? Call us. 267-639-2488

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!!!!

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What a Thrill: An Alumni’s Perspective!

Posted on by PineForest

I went to PFC in the late 80‘s/early 90’s.  I started as a high senior 9 and continued on for the next 5 years into the counselor years.  Some of the best years of my life thus far.  I stopped only because it was time to get an internship “in the real world.”  It was not my choice, that’s for sure.

Fast forward many years, I am now a Mom of two childen at PFC…a13 year old girl, who will start her fifth summer as a high senior 9 and a 10 year old boy going into his second summer as an Inter 5.  I was an Inter 5 counselor and some of my then campers now have kids at camp as well!  How old that makes us all feel goes without saying!

When we started our family camp search, we researched a few camps.  I told myself what was right for me may not be right for my children.  PIne Forest was all I wanted for them but I tried to be fair and open.  It was my daughter who knew right away that Pine Forest was for her.  Perhaps her 2nd generation status wooed her a bit, but she said she just got “a feeling” the second she saw PFC.  She’s so my kid.

As I tell my children, PFC was my happy place for many years in my youth but it’s now theirs.  I try not to bombard them with memories and stories and resist the urge to point out pictures of me on the Hughie and dining hall walls.  They’re building their own memories now and the time is all theirs.  But as I’ve learned, PFC is still a place in all of our hearts.  The same incredible Black family still owns and runs it, 5 generations, 85 years strong.  A lot of course has changed with the times, but so much has remained the same.  Just how we would want it to be.

Sometimes you don’t know how much something means to you until you come back again and see it through the eyes of your children.  I encourage you to give camp a call, check out their website, schedule a meeting with one of the team and consider giving your child the gift of PFC, just as your parents did.  Give yourself the thrill of a lifetime, getting to watch your child walk the same hills, play on the same fields and sit in the same Netsy benches for Friday night services as you did!  It really is a rare and special gift, not only for your children, but for yourself!

– Hillary Lane Slovin

A Day in the Life: Pine Forest Camp (Video)

Posted on by PineForest

See what it’s like to be a Pine Forest Camper! All of this footage was shot in one day at camp this past summer.

THANKS!

Posted on by PineForest

As we embark on our 85th summer, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for the 4 generations of campers and counselors who have been a part of Pine Forest Camp.

From the tree tops of Lauri Field to the shores of Lake Greeley, from Juniors to mighty Hi-Seniors, from great –grandparents to great –grandchildren, thank you all.

Every camp tells a story. Whether you went to PFC for one summer or ten, you have written Pine Forest’s story and it is filled with fun, friendship and love.

Keep the memories alive and the friendships strong, not just in summer but in every season of the year and of your life. Wherever you are, Pine Forest is with you. And after all of these years and all of those generations, that is a lot to be thankful for.

Happy 85th! Happy Thanksgiving!

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