Tag: Dad Blog

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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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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Jess Chadwin: Hall of Famer!

Posted on by PineForest

Congratulations to our very own Program Director, Jess Chadwin, on her induction into the Germantown Academy Sports Hall of Fame!

Jess is the daughter of Sherrea (former Girls Head Counselor) & Steve ‘Chad’ Chadwin (current Athletic Director) and spent many many summers as a camper at Pine Forest. We’re so lucky & happy to have her as part of the PFC leadership team!

Way to go, Jess! YOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

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Stay Active, Campers!

Posted on by PineForest

Hi Camp Parents!

I can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion on Sunday!! It always reminds me about the power of camp in a child’s life even when we’re far from summer and Greeley, Pa.

If you haven’t read it, I  wanted to share the article “ A Brain Tonic for Children” by Gretchen Reynolds, that appeared in the New York Times recently.  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/how-exercise-can-boost-the-childs-brain/?_r=0

In September in “Pediatrics”,  researchers at the University of Illinois published findings that proved that organized physical activity in 8 and 9 year olds improved their mental skills.

Camp does many things. In addition to the fun of high energy activity, the friends that come with improving social skills, I believe that a well-organized and supervised camp experience like ours can develops a child’s good judgment, problem s-solving  skills and mental acuity.

The positive impact of camp can last for an instant, a season and for a lifetime.

– Mickey

We’re more than ‘OK’!

Posted on by PineForest

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?!

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Kugel Makes a Comeback!

Posted on by PineForest

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?

Hiding Behind My Ray-Bans

Posted on by PineForest

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

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T.G.F.C.

Posted on by PineForest

T.G.F.C.

Thank Goodness For Camp.

Let’s face it, June is a crazy month.  With end of year school work piled high, recitals, playoffs and camp packing, even my lists have lists! June really is the craziest month of the year, at least for me. I’m sure most of you can agree. As I keep telling myself, this is all “good stuff”, so I try not to stress because it really is true. How lucky we are, moms and dads, and our children, who are wrapping up another successful school year and going to CAMP!!

I had the good fortune to be up at PFC last weekend for New Camper Weekend. While there, my daughter called me, stressed about her finals, etc.  All I could say to her was “don’t worry, it’ll be over soon and you’ll be here before you know it. Camp couldn’t look more beautiful and it’s waiting for you.”  She replied in four simple words, “I can’t wait, Mom.”  It might sound corny but that reply brought tears to my eyes. Camp makes my daughter happy.

Camp provides a well-deserved, healthy escape for our kids…a place to re-invent, to unplug, to have fun. Pure unadulterated fun. In this day and age, I can’t imagine anything more necessary. For 10 months out of the year, our kids run around like crazy. They live on their iPhone, iPad, iTouch and all I want, is for them to go to camp. It gives my children joy and so too, me.

I am so thankful for PFC and for the opportunities it provides my children for 7 weeks.  PFC is my daughter’s happy place.  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 it every day. She never takes it for granted.

I share this story with you because my hope is that every child who steps foot off the bus on June 28th can exhale like I know my daughter will. Eventually, I’ll exhale too.

T.G.F.C.

Hillary Slovin