Pine Tree Camp feature close up: meet Celeste June 28, 2010

Described by her colleagues as the Pine Tree Camp “jack of all trades,” Celeste Chaloux has found home at Pine Tree Camp throughout most of her life. Celeste has had the opportunity to wear many hats through her experiences at camp. From camper, to kitchen staff, cabin counselor, and now the arts and crafts director, Celeste has touched the lives of campers and camp staff for over 30 years.

In the 1970’s, Celeste came to Pine Tree Camp unaware of the impact it would have on her life. During her first summer she realized that camp would become, “a very, very special place in her heart.”

Celeste was welcomed into the Pine Tree Camp family immediately. She began to form friendships with fellow campers, but also with the staff. Growing up, Celeste watched the Pine Tree Camp team work with campers with different disabilities, and she knew that one day she wanted to help do the same.

Once Celeste was older, she returned to Pine Tree Camp. In the 1980’s she began to work in the kitchen until she had enough experience where she could begin to work with campers directly. Eventually, Celeste began working as a cabin counselor, where she helped campers for over 10 years.

“You know, I just love it all, everything about camp, but I guess I would have to say the people,” Celeste commented when asked what she looks forward to the most each year.

This summer, Celeste celebrates her 14^th year as a Pine Tree Camp staff member. For the past five years, Celeste has been working as the arts and crafts director. Here, Celeste has the opportunity to teach and participate in projects she enjoys, while still interacting with campers on a personal level.

The arts and crafts program at Pine Tree Camp allows campers the opportunity to express their creativity regardless of their disability. Arts and crafts is open to each cabin at camp, and is offered during both the morning and afternoon activity sessions. Some of the more popular activities include beading and jewelry making, painting birdhouses, and making paperweights. However, the one project that camper’s always look forward to is the annual t-shirt tie-dyeing. Each camper receives a Pine Tree Camp white t-shirt at the start of their session. During their stay, campers will work with Celeste to tie-dye their cabin’s own colors on to their t-shirts. This tradition is one of many moments at Pine Tree Camp that Celeste looks forward to the most.   

As the arts and craft’s director, Celeste finds herself thinking about camp all year long.

“I am constantly trying to think of new and exciting projects the campers can work on while at camp,” Celeste commented.

This past year, she even started to receive emails from campers with requests. Offering as many choices as possible for campers is incredibly important. 

“I try to accommodate and honor all the requests from campers as best as I can.”

Currently, Celeste is in the process of organizing a basket weaving project to help fulfill a camper’s request. One of her biggest struggles as the arts and crafts director is finding the time to accommodate each request. Sometimes, if she is unable to schedule a project into the week’s arts and craft’s schedule, Celeste will offer to sit one-on-one with a camper during free time to work on their project together. It is here, where Celeste can get to know camper’s on a personal level, and continue to build friendships that will last a lifetime. One of the most gratifying aspects of her job, Celeste described, is when a camper feels that they are being heard. So when camper’s make a specific request for an art project, such as basket weaving, Celeste will plan ahead as best as she can, to make sure she is able offer each camper the experiences they hope for.

Celeste’s enthusiasm is contagious, and her passion for Pine Tree Camp is undeniable.

“My life at camp has now come full circle,” Celeste describes.

Last summer, Celeste’s son, Nate, joined the Pine Tree Camp family. This summer Nate is one of camp’s fulltime lifeguards. Celeste’s connection to Pine Tree Camp has held strong for over 30 years, and will continue, through her family, for years to come.

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Celeste’s story is inspiring, and Pine Tree Camp would love to hear from you too! Reconnect with Pine Tree Camp