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: Summer Camp Mud Run
Wilt Chamberlain: PFC Alum…Sort of.
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.
A True Counselor Hunt!
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!
What a weekend!
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!
We love our new campers!
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!!!!
What a Thrill: An Alumni’s Perspective!
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)
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.
Camp T-Shirt Day!
Our Veteran: Uncle Marvin Black
On this Veteran’s Day we recognized with gratitude our own Pine Forest Camp Director, Marvin Black. Uncle Marvin, now 89, served in the US Navy in WWII and participated in the invasion of Okinawa in the South Pacific. He was a radioman on a landing craft that brought US Marines to the beaches during this crucial battle.
Many PFC counselors also served during WWII and in other conflicts. Uncle Marv remembers thinking of his parents and family back at Pine Forest Camp during the war. Although Uncle Marv said that he was homesick when he headed off to war, he took comfort in knowing that they were safe and sound back at camp in Greeley, Pa. He returned after the war to a hero’s welcome at camp and in his hometown of Upper Darby, Pa. Yesterday, Uncle Marvin and many other veterans were celebrated in a Veteran’s Day Parade. Uncle Marvin served our country with courage and valor and will forever be a bright, shining star in our proud Pine Forest Camp legacy. We salute you Uncle Marv!
PFC FALL HAPPENINGS, OPEN HOUSES AND MORE!
For more information contact us at the camp office! 267-639-2488
Mark your calendars!
NOVEMBER
Camp Reunion/Get Together
Sunday, November 9, 2014 11:00AM-1:00PM
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant
128 S. Federal Hwy
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Open House – Armonk, NY
Sunday, November 16, 2014 5:00PM-7:00PM
Armonk, NY
Call the office for more information!
DECEMBER
Open House
Sunday, December 7, 2014 5:00PM-7:00PM
North Potomac, MD
Call the office for more information!
JANUARY
Bowling in Philadelphia – New and Prospective Camper Party!
Saturday, January 10, 2015 1:00PM-3:00PM
The Playdrome in Devon
300 West Lancaster Ave.
Devon, PA 19333
Chelsea Piers Fun – New and Prospective Camper Party!
Sunday, January 11, 2015 1:30PM-3:30PM
The Field House at Chelsea Piers: Pier 62
New York, NY
FEBRUARY
Greeley, PA
JUNE
New Camper Weekend at Camp!
Saturday, June 6 – Sunday, June 7, Greeley, PA
Call the office for more information!