Make some noise Pine Tree Camp June 23, 2010

It is opening day – and the old saying “the early bird gets the worm” takes on a new meaning. As dawn breaks, Pine Tree Camp staff are up and ready well before their alarm clocks start to scream. Counselors rev their engines with coffee, backpacks and lime green t-shirts as they get ready for campers to arrive. It is day #1 of the first adult session of summer!

Lindsey, unit leader of cabin #4 could barely sleep from anticipation. “I didn’t go to bed until past midnight! And then I even got up at 4:30 this morning because I am just so excited for my campers to arrive!”

9:00am hits, and counselors begin to gather at the bottom of the hill outside the Wellness Center, overlooking North Pond. As the sounds of gravel kicking up from the first car driving down the windy Pine Tree Camp road, the staff’s excitement is electrifying. Car headlights finally arrive in sight at the top of the hill. Immediately, the commotion below comes to a halt as the staff wait for their cue. As the first camper’s parents get their check-in directions from two staff members, over the megaphone the first of many welcoming announcements is made:

“Attention Pine Tree Camp:  give it up for Debbie from Cabin 4!!”

An uproar of cheers, claps, screams of joy, and camp chants fills the air throughout the campground. The first camper has arrived, which only means the rest are shortly behind. To kick off each camp session, upon arrival each camper will drive through a parade of cheering camp staff as they arrive. It is truly a remarkable scene. Friends reunite once again, many who have attended camp since they were young. Campers come up and hug the camp staff, excited to kick off the week’s activities.

The excitement holds solid well after the last camper has arrived, each camper getting their own Pine Tree Camp welcome.  The best way to kick off the summer is truly to start with the tradition of cheering for each camper as they arrive. It is one of many ways that Pine Tree Camp strives to enhance each camper’s experience by making each camper feel comfortable, well cared for and excited for their time at camp.

Contagious smiles from ear to ear come across each and every camper and staff can only mean Pine Tree Camp is now officially in session.

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What is your favorite part of opening day?