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

When I got home from camp, I…

(In no particular order)

– I ate bacon. Real bacon.

– Enjoyed the air conditioning.

– Took a long shower.

– Sat on the couch.

– Got bored.

Take me back to camp.

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The Candlelight Ceremony

Like a shooting star. Like a spark at a camp fire. Like the flicker of a candle. Pine Forest Camp’s 84th season  is almost over.

It’s a chilly night tonight. And as dusk fell, if you looked up at the tree tops  rustling  in the breeze, you could see a red or gold leaf fall to the ground, the first signs of Autumn. It’s time to go home.

We gather together one last time until we return for PFC’s 85th summer, sharing the warmth of friendship. This magical place seems so far from the rest of the world, like we’re in some faraway kingdom of goodness and happiness.

Arm in arm, we sing for the last time this year, “Friends, friends, friends  we will always be…”

Let it be so.

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Dribbler on the Roof!

A big day in sports: LeBron to Cleveland and Corey “The Dribbler” Rich to PFC.

Corey Rich brought his basketball dribbling expertise to Pine Forest, proving that hard work and practice really pays off. Corey has played basketball overseas, toured the country with his skills and has even appeared on the Letterman show! That’s cool!

Corey entertained our campers with interactive games, tips and drills and at one point dribbled six basketballs at once. It took ten campers to steal the ball from him!

Corey taught us that just because he isn’t the tallest, he never gave up on his dream of entertaining people through his love of basketball.

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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?!

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Kugel Makes a Comeback!

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?

Pine Forest Camp Sets Sail!

Last night campers all over the world went to bed at home with great hopes and big dreams for the summer. New  friends, fun and adventure.  And today their dreams will come true.

Step off those buses, out of your cars, off of the airplanes and step into your summer home. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Parents, relax. We’ll take over from here.    Your children are in good hands, the best.

All of the planning and preparation is over and the first campers have arrived just hours ago.

Pine Forest’s 84th summer  begins now.

So sing it as loud as you can, from Florida, to New York City to Europe and back to Bethesda, Maryland  and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. It’s the Pine Forest Welcome song, “We welcome you to Pine forest, we’re mighty glad you’re here. We’ll set the air reverberating with a might cheer!”

Let the fun begin. Our ship sets sail now. All good things are yet to come.

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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.

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Haircuts and sneakers. That’s how we roll.

It’s the week before camp and it’s time to get that short summer cut that you’ve been dreading. It doesn’t have to be a crew cut guys,  it’s got to last for seven weeks.  (Back in the 50’s a barber came to PFC!) And remember when 2 years ago Danny came to camp with a PFC logo shaved into his hair?! Crazy! But it got us all in the spirit. So don’t be shy, go for it. In the words of Huey Lewis  “It’s hip to be square!”

And look down. What have you got on your feet? You don’t need brand new sneakers but bring good athletic shoes for league games and maybe an old pair or some aqua shoes for a little “creek stomping!” up at nature.

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