Tag: Poconos

New for Summer 2017!

Posted on by PineForest

What’s new for 2017 at PFC?! If you are a new or returning camper and missed the reunion, here are just a few of the new things underway for 2017. It may only be Thanksgiving time, but it’s never too early to get excited!

1. New golf center!

2. New girls’ camp game deck!

3. New dock, sand and volleyball at the lake!

4. New bouldering center at the adventure wall!

5. New staff housing to bring the best leaders to you!

6. New “American Ninja Camper” obstacle course!

7. New trees! Beautiful NEW Norway Spruces and White Pines throughout camp – Hey, we’re Pine Forest, aren’t we?

8. New air conditioning and renovation of Greeley Theater: Our theater for movies and evening activities!

9. Our 11th Grade CAs are going back to Costa Rica for leadership training and community service!

10. New additions to Arts & Crafts including expanded ceramics, woodworking and new rocketry/model making center AKA The Launch Pad!

11. Camp cuisine! Menu additions thanks to our new full-time, gourmet dining room/kitchen manager and hot sauce connoisseur, Kristian! (He’s traveled the world to bring us the best food from around the globe).

7fe03d23-b135-4f50-8015-f5c4c8f4865d

Happy Earth Day!

Posted on by PineForest

Wake up to the sound of a morning dove, a woodpecker or two.
Walk out of your bunk, the grass is still wet with dew.

On the way to the lake, what’s that rustle that I hear?
An eagle taking flight, a chipmunk or a deer?

At the far end of the lake, there’s a beaver dam, it looks new!
Just past Blueberry  Island, we can see it from our canoe.

You can smell the pines wherever you go,
Feel the sun on your shoulders, the warm summer glow.

At night around the campfire, it’s that fresh mountain chill.
Look up in the sky, a shooting star! Now that’s a thrill.

From sunrise to sunset, nature puts it’s stamp.
Every day is Earth Day at Pine Forest Camp.

IMG_0111-2 (1)

Unplugged and Happy

Posted on by PineForest

Hey Parents,

Yesterday, there was an article in the New York Times Style Section about the benefits of disconnecting from electronics entitled “Hey Kids, Look At Me When We’re Talking” by Bruce Feiler.

In particular, it highlighted the positive impact of unplugging at overnight camp.  Here is the key paragraph:

“In 2012, Dr. Greenfield and her colleague Yalda T. Uhls performed a study of their own. They invited 51 preteens to spend five days at an overnight camp without television, computers or mobile phones. These students were compared to a control group that retained usual media practices. All participants took before and after tests that required them to infer emotional states from photographs and videos. After five days without screens, the children at the camp were significantly better at reading nonverbal emotional cues.”

Last week we heard from one of our Hi-Senior girls’ parents, who wrote:

“Last night I drove 3 9th graders into NYC for a concert. As the driver, I remained silent and there was an interesting conversation going on between the 3 girls. Two were from camp… and the 3rd, [was]  a non camp kid.”

The camp girls were extolling the virtues of unplugging for the summer. They said that it wasn’t easy, but they really appreciated not feeling the pressure to stay on top of social media all summer. After the first week, they really enjoyed the separation. Late night chats with friends without everyone being distracted by their screens are really unique in this day and age. There is great importance in authentic face-to-face communication.

Just 2 days ago, another camp parent sent us a picture of a t-shirt that said “There is no WIFI at camp, but the Connection is Awesome!”

Exactly!

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/fashion/hey-kids-look-at-me-when-were-talking.html?_r=0

Spotlight on: Andy!

Posted on by PineForest

Meet Andy Borowsky, Head of Boys Camp and new father to daughter, Beau!

Andy

Hometown: Newtown, PA
When I’m not at camp, I’m: An Elementary Teacher and Ice Hockey Coach
Years at PFC: 4
Favorite camp meal: Chicken Fingers
Favorite camp tradition: Boys Campfires
Favorite camp song: Any former Color Days song
Favorite evening activity: Tennis Ground Hockey
Favorite part of being Head of Boys Camp: Line ups!
What I’m looking forward to most in 2015 is: Being reunited with all of my camp friends and making new ones.
Describe PFC in 3 words: PINE FOREST CAMP (Ha!)
Fun fact about myself: My wife and I just had our first child!!!

Beau

A Reunion To Remember!

Posted on by PineForest

Wow! What an awesome 2014 reunion. Thanks to everyone who came out. With buses from Westchester, Livingston and Maryland PFC was well-represented from all over. Camp friends are the best friends!!!

IMG_0008 IMG_0014 IMG_0022 IMG_0023 IMG_0040 IMG_0045 IMG_9872 IMG_9874 IMG_9876 IMG_9878 IMG_9883 IMG_9884 IMG_9885 IMG_9886 IMG_9896 IMG_9899 IMG_9911 IMG_9920 IMG_9921 IMG_9924 IMG_9925 IMG_9939 IMG_9941 IMG_9946 IMG_9955 IMG_9959 IMG_9962 IMG_9963 IMG_9965 IMG_9966 IMG_9976 IMG_9977 IMG_9978 IMG_9979 IMG_9984 IMG_9998 IMG_9999

 

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