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.
Tag: fun
2015 Explorers & Play Days!
Block out an Explorer weekend or play day for this coming summer…Our 85th Summer Anniversary!!!
We love giving tours, but to really feel the magic of camp, we encourage your future camper to stay with us! Either for the day or even two days and enjoy all that Pine Forest has to offer: the activities, the food, and especially the people!
EXPLORERS – Come up for the weekend for two fun-filled days and one night at camp! If your child is entering 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade and is not yet ready for camp, we encourage you to visit while camp is in session and try our Explorer Camp! Click here to register.
July 18,19
July 25,26
OR..
PLAY DAY – Come Play! Visit us, eat lunch, spend the day and enjoy some activities…Stay a while! (No overnight). Register here!
July 11
August 2
For more information on tours, Explorers and play days contact Lisa Fayne: – 301.340.7373
THANKS!
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!
The Importance of Socks: And a few other things…
In somewhat of a list format. In no particular order of importance. An ongoing list…
– Clean socks and maintaining pairs. Mesh sock bag, clothes pins, endless bags of cheap socks. Whatever you gotta do. Socks matter! To me, at least.
– Try something new. Not easy, but worth it. An activity, a food, a friend. It doesn’t matter. Try it. It’s safe to try at camp.
– GaGa is a sport…
– Battery Ball.
– You can be ‘camp good’ at something. You know what I’m talking about.
– To this day, when traveling with a friend, I always assume I can just use someone else’s toothpaste. Not true. If you’re traveling with a friend from camp, you’re likely out of luck…And toothpaste.
– Music. Summer songs for me included: Too Sexy, Under The Bridge, I’ll Be Missing You (Puff Daddy Version), Can’t Touch This, Informer, Summer Girls, Waterfalls, Two Princes, This Is How We Do it, American Pie —— I’m not saying these songs represent my taste in music. I’m just saying that, when I hear them…I know the lyrics. Like, ALL the lyrics.
– If someone has a guitar at a campfire, you can’t NOT sing The Weight.
– Finding the perfect s’mores stick is a talent unto itself. Not to mention the actual s’more.
– No matter how old you get, no matter where life takes you, when you’re with your camp friends it’s as if no time has passed. Those same silly jokes are just as funny. If not, funnier.
I’m seated on the ground, in the navy shirt, holding the sign. Likely in between scratching bugbites. One of my many summers in Bunk Banana over my tenure as a camper at PFC.
PFC 365!
Keep the summer alive, all year long!
1) Keep in touch with camp friends! Call, text, email!
2) Login to Mom & Dad’s ‘MY PFC’ account and look at pics from this past summer!
3) Come to the 2014 reunion! Nov. 2, 10a-12p @ The Funplex in Mt. Laurel, NJ.
4) Read the blog and check for PFC events in your area!
5) Watch videos on the PFC Vimeo page! https://vimeo.com/pineforestcamp
6) Wear your PFC gear! 5K, Hughie Black, PFC Official…it all works! Take a pic and tag us!
7) Follow PFC on Instagram – @pineforestcamp – Use #PFC2015
MUD RUN!
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?!
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
T.G.F.C.
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
From the City to the Mountains.
The office moves today. Five vans come down from Greeley today to pick up all of our gear for camp. Computers, files and forms, 10 months of planning to make this the best summer ever. But what really goes up are our hopes and dreams for a wonderful season. And all signs point to an amazing one; more new campers, lots of returning counselors and Interns, new staff who are going to be simply fantastic. All year long the office talks about camp but after today, we live it. So finish your homework, ace your finals, say good bye to humdrum and routine and get ready to join us for the best summer of your life.
By the way parents, after today, the number to call for the office is 570-685-7141. Office hours will be 9-5 pre-camp and 8am -8pm when camp is in session. And there will always be an emergency number to call before or after hours 24/7. Anytime. We are here for you.