Pine Forest Camp has been operated by the same family since 1931, making it one of America’s oldest camps under continuous family operation. The original founders were Hughie and Selma Black, followed by their children, Marvin and Annette Black and Libby and Ted Halpern.

Hughie’s grandson, Mickey Black and his wife Barbara served as directors for 39 years and continue to be involved in daily camp operations. Today their daughter Anna Black Morin and her husband Eric Morin run the camp.

Mickey has held several leadership roles in organized camping, including President of the Association of Independent Camps. Mickey is also the proud founder of the PFC book club, among his many other camp interests. Barbara is an expert chef and passionate foodie. She personally oversees the kitchen and dining room. Her menus and food are second to none in the camping world.

Anna and Eric both grew up at camp and have held many camp leadership roles over the years. Anna and Eric met and were married at camp! Anna is a former teacher at the Horace Mann School in New York City and Eric is a former football player and coach and recently served as an Associate Dean of Student Life at the University of Pennsylvania. Anna and Eric’s children, Ruby and Hattie, 5^th generation, are current happy campers!

Lee Forest Black, Mickey and Barbara’s son, Anna’s brother and Eric’s brother-in-law, grew up at Pine Forest and served as director for many years. He passed away in 2021, but his spirit of warmth and care for each and every camper, his love of nature and his sense of humor continue to enrich every part of camp life.

There are about 400 campers, evenly divided up between boys and girls. “Divisions” are broken down every two grades, and each has about 50 children.

Overall, there is 1 staff member for every 2 children. Each cabin sleeps 3-4 counselors and 10-12 children. Specialists and support staff round out the supervision.

95% of the children stay for the full season which lasts 7 weeks. It goes by fast. However, there may be exceptions on a limited basis in certain age groups for half season. Also, half season is offered to our international campers. In addition, if you’re looking for a great half or 6-week season, check out our brother and sister camps, Lake Owego and Timber Tops, located just one mile away.

A camp is only as good as its counselors, so we make sure we hire only the best. Most staff members are child development professionals or students that we personally recruit from colleges and universities from across the country. The average age of our counselors is 21 years and about 90% come from the United States.

This isn’t the camp food your parents remember! With every meal at camp there are many healthy options, satisfying even the pickiest of eaters. You aren’t a pancakes for breakfast kind of person? How about yogurt? Greek yogurt? Cottage cheese? Avocado toast? Bagels and cream cheese? Fruit salad? Granola? Oatmeal? Cold cereal? The same number of options can be found at lunch and dinner, too. Camp food at Pine Forest is among the best camp food in the county; we really feel as though the kitchen is the heart of camp and the extension of home in the mountains! Our kitchens and canteen are peanut and tree nut free, and we include gluten-free, vegetarian, and kosher options at all meals. Other allergy needs are and can be met, of course! We have a team of professionals excited about providing delicious, safe, healthful meals for your children three times a day. Call us to discuss or read more on our Health & Wellness page.

Laundry is picked up once a week by an outside professional laundry service. Each camper’s laundry is bagged separately and returned folded in the same individual bag. We recommend that campers pack about ten days worth of clothing. Please refer to our packing list which is very helpful.

Doctors and nurses are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have one doctor and four nurses who live at the camp and work in our new, modern health center.

Here’s our official packing list! But as we always say, most importantly bring a big smile, a sense of adventure and a willingness to make new friends.

Aside from our all morning ‘open choice’ on Thursdays, all activities are offered separately to both girls and boys. Boys and girls each have their own morning and evening lineups! As campers grow in age, they’ll have more weekly CoEd evening activities.