Scenic view of trees at camp

Author: Karissa Pitaniello

Karissa Pitaniello Headshot

Karissa Pitaniello

Former Staff


2024 Orientation Recap!

by Karissa Pitaniello

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After months of searching for the most trustworthy, seriously fun college students across the US, we finally have them ALL on property! Orientation week is filled with acclimating the new staffers to the Pine Cove way (remember the first time you experienced “scraperhead?” Yeah, it takes a second to get used to!) and getting everyone […]

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Training Week 2024!

by Karissa Pitaniello

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As opening day approaches, each Pine Cove property is buzzing with excitement and activity! Our amazing summer staffers have been all over the campgrounds, gearing up for the season with our annual training week. This is when our staff dive into learning the ins and outs of their specific positions. Whether they’re lifeguards, wranglers, media […]

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Staff Favorites: CQ Words

by Karissa Pitaniello

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One of our favorite traditions at Pine Cove? Character Qualities! After spending a week or two with their campers, our counselors prayerfully consider God-given qualities they see in each of their campers. Then, the campers get to be encouraged with these qualities in front of their family and cabinmates! This also happens for each of […]

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Staff Profile: Hayden “Mr. Polar Behr” Weaver

by Karissa Pitaniello

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If you’ve been to one of our East Texas camps within the past few years, you’re sure to have heard “Mr. Polar Behr’s” well-known “WOOOOO” screams through the piney trees! An Arkansas native and Razorback diehard, Hayden Weaver sat down to tell us about himself as he steps into his new role as the Director […]

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Camp Store Preview!

by Karissa Pitaniello

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May is here, staffers are on property, and the first day of camp is happening so soon! Are you counting down the days, hours, minutes until you drive through the Pine Cove welcome gauntlet? Totally understandable. Until that seriously fun time comes, check out what’s new in the camp store this summer! Hoping to beat […]

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Camp Prayer Calendar

by Karissa Pitaniello

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Summer 2024 is almost HERE! As we dive into the most wonderful time of the year, we want to be as prayerful as we are excited! Join us in praying daily for campers, staffers, and families. Click to download a printable PDF here!

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What’s New Around Camp

by Karissa Pitaniello

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Since you saw Pine Cove last we’ve been busy. Seriously busy. New things have been installed and some spots have been given a face lift! Until the gates open, we’ve got plenty of progress photos to keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy! The Shores’ New Overflow Lodge, Mahalo: New Arena at the […]

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New 2024 Program Staffers

by Karissa Pitaniello

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Enjoy meeting two (let’s count ‘em!) of our new friends that will be leading at camp this summer! Get to know Anna and Lane as they let us in on what they’re most excited for this summer and some of their favorite things! Ladies first! Introducing the Spring’s new Administrative Director… Anna “Sike Baller” Brecht! […]

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Staff Favorites: Camp Food Hacks

by Karissa Pitaniello

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When you work at camp, you eat a lot of the same food over and over (10 weeks of fajita night? Sign us up!). This creates room to create some fun new ways to enjoy it! We rounded up our staffers’ favorite “food hacks” that they use to jazz up their camp meals… Bon Appétit! […]

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Leadership Weekend 2024

by Karissa Pitaniello

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We are weeks away from opening the gates for Summer 2024! Cabins are being spruced up, programs are being planned, and our leadership teams are ready to have their best summer yet! Each spring, our leadership teams retreat before the summer starts to unify their drive for the upcoming season and prepare for the weeks […]

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