We’re mighty glad you’re here!

Our 92nd summer begins NOW and it’s going to be the best one ever. Leave your worries at home. When you step off of that bus or out of your car, you’re going to be stepping into a summer of Pine Forest fun, “Up where the sky begins.”

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or how you get here. It doesn’t matter what happened all school year long. If your destination is Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania today -you are in for the summer of your life.

As we sing every year on opening day, “We welcome you to Pine Forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here!” And we are. Mighty glad.

TGFC: Thank Goodness for Camp

June is a crazy month.  With end of year school work piled on, recitals, playoffs and camp packing, even my lists have lists!  It really is the single most crazy month of year, at least for me and I am sure most of you can agree.  As I keep telling myself, this is all the “good stuff” so I try not to stress because it really is true.  How lucky we and our children are …to be wrapping up another successful school year and now they get to go to CAMP!!  Lucky ducks.

Last week, I had the good fortune to be up at camp for New Camper Weekend with my son who is about to start camp.  While there, my daughter, who has been already been at camp a few years, called me, stressed about her finals and things going on at home.  All I could say to her was “don’t worry, it’ll be over soon and you’ll be here at camp before you know it. Camp couldn’t look more beautiful and it’s waiting for you with open arms.”  She replied in four simple words,“I can’t wait, Mom.”  Her reply brought tears to my eyes.  It perfectly sums up why we do this.  Yes, to have our children learn independence, make new friends, try new things, etc.  But, my daughters words made me think even deeper.  

Camp provides an escape for our kids…a place to truly get away from it all, and, purely and simply, just relax.  In this modern age, I can’t imagine anything being more needed and important.  For 10 months out of the year, our kids run around like crazy, live on their phones, engulfed by social media and technology.  I am so thankful for Pine Forest and for the opportunity it provides to leave all that behind for 7 weeks.  PFC is my daughter’s happy place on earth.  I don’t know what she would do without it.  She has grown to need camp, to work all year to have camp and to cherish camp all year long.

I share this story with you because my hope is that every child who steps foot off the bus on June 24th can exhale like I know my daughter will.  I hope they truly feel that PFC is their home away from home and the place that they look forward to returning to and getting away from it all summer after summer.

T.G.F.C.

Hillary, PFC Mom

And What a Weekend It Was!

New Family Weekend is an amazing Pine Forest Camp tradition, when all first-time campers and their families are invited up to camp to spend their first weekend at PFC together! Families stay overnight in their own bunks before camp starts, and future campers participate in activities in their age group to get to know one another. It’s a sneak preview of the fun to come this summer.

Ziplining, canoeing, gaga, arts and crafts, basketball – you name it, we did it! And the weather was perfect! The day ended in the best way possible, around a campfire! There was a fantastic talent show that included dances, jokes and gymnastics. You’d never be able to tell that these campers just met that day! Mickey led everyone in a rousing 3-part round of his famous “Fish and Chips” song.  And we ended the campfire as we always do at PFC, arm-in-arm, singing  “Taps and Friends.” After the campfire, it was s’mores for all!

The next morning, families enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the Dining Hall, complete with lox, bagels and hot chocolate with whipped cream. Every new camper left that morning looking forward to the excitement yet to come (and with an exclusive, special edition new PFC long-sleeve shirt!)

We want to extend a special thank you to our outstanding staff for making New Family Weekend 2017 the best one ever! It really is all about the people! Being at PFC with new families each year reminds us that Pine Forest campers are awesome because Pine Forest families are awesome.

“WE WELCOME YOU TO PINE FOREST, WE’RE MIGHTY GLAD YOU’RE HERE!”

And now, the big show! We can’t wait to see our new campers again in 19 DAYS!

New Camper Weekend 2017!

It’s finally here! New Camper Weekend 2017! Did you know that each June we invite all new campers and their families to spend the whole weekend at camp a few short weeks before opening day? It’s a unique opportunity for campers and their families to connect with staff, meet future bunk mates and really start to feel at home in Greeley, PA. We don’t know any other camp that opens its doors the way we do, and we’re proud of it!

Attending New Camper Weekend? Here’s what you need to know!
Please arrive at camp between 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM on Saturday, June 3rd to experience your first camp lunch!  Introductions begin around 1:00 PM.  As a reminder, nights in the mountains can be quite chilly, so bring warm and comfortable clothing for the campfire and warm PJs, too! Don’t forget warm bedding or sleeping bags, and remember toiletries and towels as well. There will be free time to explore, so if you’d like to play, boat or swim as a family, bring tennis racquets, softball gloves, and bathing suits.

Stay tuned for live updates and photos from what will surely be a weekend of lifelong memories in the making! WELCOME NEW CAMPERS!

Fun Facts for New Families!

We can’t believe it’s spring and the 2017 camping season will be here before we know it!  We want you and your child to be as comfortable and as prepared as possible in the days leading up to camp.  We thought it would be fun and helpful to share some fun facts about us so everyone is “in the know.”

Pine Forest is full of tradition, rituals and special names.  Each one is so meaningful to both the campers and staff.

“Up Where the Sky Begins”  Pine Forest Camp slogan/philosophy

“When Lights Are Low” and “High In The Mountains”  PFC’s camp songs. among many others.

Blue and Gold– Camp colors.

Many of camp’s fields, courts and venues are named after camp’s founders Hughie and Selma Black, descendants as well as many old-timers.

“Hughie Hall”- Indoor venue that houses many camp activities, including basketball, broadcasting, yoga, fitness center and much more.

Libby courts”-  One of camps three sets of tennis courts.

Netsy Playhouse”–  Outdoor amphitheater where camps shows and services are held.

Marvin Hall”-  Outdoor gymnastics pavilion.

“Mitchell Field”–  Large field near entrance for sports and campfires.

“Barbie’s Bar-B-Que”/AKA “The Grove”–  Outdoor picnic area where campers are served a weekly cookout.

“Lauri Field”– Another large field at the top of camp that hosts various sports, including track and field.  Great for star-gazing too!

Lee’s Rink”- Hockey pavilion by Hughie Hall.

“Eric’s Fitness Center”– State-of-the-art fitness facility.

“Ruby’s Canteen”– Named after Uncle Hughie’s great-great granddaughter.  Various times a week, campers look forward to special treats.

“Chadwin Court- AKA “Main Court”-  Popular basketball court in the center of camp, with lights and stadium seating all around.  Named after long-time athletic director Steve “Chad” Chadwin.

Lake Greeley  The walk to our beautiful lake is always a special one.  Stroll down “Milligan’s Trail” and throw a stone to make a wish into “Lisa’s Heart-Shaped Pond.”

Blueberry Island– Camp’s private island by the lake where campers canoe to and explore.

The “Friendship” Tree – It used to be a sprawling spruce tree in the center of camp, but over the 87 years, it’s been reduced to more of a “beautiful” stump.  With a white bench all around, it’s the main meeting place for campers and counselors in the center of camp, perfect for brothers and sisters to meet after dinner.

Bunk Names  The boys bunks are names after tree and the girls bunks are named after flowers.

The Old-Timers Tree  This old tree proudly displays plaques of the names of all campers and staff throughout our 84 years that have gone to camp for 10 years or more.  It’s very exciting for old-timers to have their names permanently added for all time.  There are almost 400 names now on the tree!

Hopefully this list will help you and your child feel even more a part of our camp family as we countdown to welcome you this summer.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have and we can’t wait to see your campers in less than 100 days!

Camp Counselor: More Than an Internship

This guest blog post was written by all-star former counselor and year round Staff Coordinator, Elly Wallace.

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.

Interested in working at PFC? Check out our staff page!

New Day, New Summer, New Website!

87 (seasons) never looked so good!

It’s hard to capture the sounds of happy campers, the smell of fresh pines and the taste of s’mores on a starry night. But if you wander through the new PFC website it might just make you feel, for a moment, that you are “Up Where the Sky Begins.” It’s also chock full of information about camp and all that you need to know to get ready for summer.

And if you’re an alum, don’t forget to watch the “decades videos.” Pick your childhood decade and be transported back in time!

Happy summer!

This World is Pine Forest Camp

Imagine a world with no TVs, no cell phones and no internet access, where…

– “Mail” is simply on a piece of paper, hand written, with a pen.

– The only “gaming’ is on a field or a court.

– “Chatting” is done verbally: in a cabin, on a walk, over a meal or around a  campfire, the purest form of “FaceTime.”

– You can only “like” something or someone by giving a real compliment, a smile or a hug.

– A ‘wink’ is done with eye contact and a grin, and ‘laughing so hard you cry’ is not an emoji but rather the funniest late-night bunk conversation that will live on for decades.

– The biggest news of the day is whose birthday it is, what evening activity will be or what’s for dinner.

– You don’t need to have hundreds of “friends,” instead you strive for a quality handful of the best, truest friends you could ever imagine.

– A “snap” is simply a hand gesture.

– Silly costumes are homemade or brought up in trunks not created with apps or filters.

– The only “tweet” comes from birds and being one with nature.

– A “house party” is getting to hang out in your cabin with your favorite people, bunk mates.

– The latest songs and videos come out of a bunk skit, song or cheer rather than top 40 radio hits.

– And, the only photos you take during the day are ones that live in your mind, providing you with lifelong memories.

This world is Pine Forest Camp. It was this way for me as a camper at PFC, and it’s the same for my own children. Kids need camp, now more than ever. I am tremendously thankful that my children get to turn off, unplug and disconnect every summer. Where else in the world can that truly happen? And, although they may not always admit it, I know that my kids wouldn’t have it any other way.

What Your Child Will Get Out of Camp

In addition to mastering the zip line and perfecting the butterfly stroke, the intangible lessons of camp know no bounds. In fact, it’s these more abstract takeaways that make the biggest impact on our campers. When we talk to families about camp in their living rooms, when we walk touring families around our grounds, we tend to focus on schedules and special programs; the most important thing about camp, though, is its people, the community, and the gifts we take from it.

We often say that camp teaches you to be the best version of yourself, but that doesn’t always come easily. Nothing great does! It takes work to practice living away from your parents! It takes work to live with people from different neighborhoods or even countries who might have different views! It’s not easy to have face-to-face conversations instead of sending a text or email in camp’s tech-free zone!

So, what will your child get out of camp? We hope team-sport skills are perfected and yoga is given a real chance, but it’s so much bigger that. Your child will come home more confident for having stood up for a friend, happier for having spontaneously burst into song and cheer, more comfortable in his or her skin for having navigated both big and small tasks independently. Oh, and your child will have a group of friends and community for life that are sacred, that are all his or her own, that they can always come back to and rely upon.

Camp takes a sense of adventure and grit and stick-to-it-ness and empathy and goofiness and a zest for life that we all wish for our kids! Those are the true gifts of camp, and what gifts could be more important?

Recap: New Camper Events!

Our weekend full of new camper parties was awesome! In the Philadelphia area, we had 15 first-time Pine Forest campers gather together to bowl and meet new friends. At Chelsea Piers in NYC the following day, we met 30 (!) first-time campers! Everyone had a blast jumping, bouncing and climbing with their future bunkmates.

Thanks to all new camp families, and our amazing staff and campers who made the weekend such a success! And new campers, be sure to stay in touch with one another! Camp is officially less than 5 months away (but who’s counting?)!

PS: You can check out more photos from our events on Instagram and Facebook! Follow @PineForestCamp for daily updates from your summer home.