We can hear the Christmas carols in the distance and staff are starting to string up lights and put up decorations – Winterfest is almost here! Here’s everything you need to know to make sure your camper is totally ready for Winterfest weekend at Pine Cove (and you are too!). Questions about our health policies? We’ve got you covered here.

Drop off / Directions

Drop off campers at their camp on Friday between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. We will serve dinner to all campers on Friday night! Need directions? Find them here. Our staff can’t wait to welcome everyone and help them get moved into their cabins.

Pick Up

Pick up starts at 11:30 am on Sunday. If you have campers at more than one camp, just pick them up in the order you choose.

Update or Fill Out Forms

We need you to review your summer health forms or provide medical information for each brand new camper to make sure we can take the best care of them. Log in to your account to see these forms. These forms are due a week before Winterfest.

Packing List

Since it’s a short stay, this is a short list! You can probably fit everything into a large backpack. Since this is the South, make sure to check the weather before you pack. Some years we do Winterfest in shorts; other years we’re wearing puffy jackets and gloves!

• twin bedding and/or sleeping bag
• pillow
• towel
• toiletries
• pajamas or sleeping clothes
• weather-appropriate clothes that are easy to move in (and can come home a little dirty)
  • Clothes that can layer are helpful since the temperature can vary throughout the day
  • Please no butterfly-style athletic shorts, bike shorts, tight shirts, or skirts/athletic dresses 
  • Leggings are permitted only if the shirt being worn with them covers the camper’s “bottom”
• festive Christmas attire (optional, theme night at Springs)
• camo night attire (at Towers, Ranch, Timbers, Shores, Springs)
• close-toed shoes
• water bottle
• Bible
• journal/pen
• flashlight (optional)
• any prescription meds in their original packaging (see more info on medication below)

Want a printable version? See the packing list here.

Medication Things

To speed up drop-off, please make sure to update your camper’s medical profile with their current medical information, including medications.

Medication can bring up a lot of questions and we strongly encourage you to read our meds guide for all the details and answers to your questions.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Please leave all non-prescription medications (over-the-counter, vitamins, essential oils, supplements, etc) at home for the weekend, except for a daily allergy medication. Pine Cove stocks many over-the-counter medications that we can administer to campers as needed. You can read the list of what we stock at the bottom of our guide.
• All medication must be in original containers with proper dosing instructions. If you bring a preferred daily allergy medication, bring it in the original container.
• State law mandates that all medication be kept in the health center, so do not put meds in your camper’s luggage. Turn them into the nurse on arrival.
• By law, we cannot administer prescription meds that are expired, prescribed to other people, compounded or mixed at home, or broken in half.

Medication is given out at bedtime Friday night through Sunday breakfast. If you need a med to be given at a specific time, contact nursemanager@pinecove.com and they’ll set that up with you.

Any other questions? Email nursemanager@pinecove.com and they’ll get you answers.

Winterfest Shirt & Camp Store

Seriously fun (and very cozy) news: this year’s Winterfest shirt is now a SWEATSHIRT! This cotton/poly fleece-blend sweatshirt will be the perfect thing to keep you warm at Winterfest, during the Christmas holidays, and beyond. Order your winter shirt by logging into your camp account. Want one for yourself or want to have it before Winterfest? Grab one in our store and get it shipped to you!

Want to create your own camper pack for Winterfest? Order a bunk box – a custom box of Pine Cove goodies for your camper! Shop the Bunk Box page in our online store, put whatever you want for them in your cart, then use the code WF23BB for free “shipping” straight to your camper’s bunk. Make sure you put their name and camp in the special notes when you order. We’ll pack it all up and get it to them! Bunk box orders are available through midnight on 12/11.

You can add money to a camper account for the camp store by logging in and adding as much or as little as you want. Our recommendation is $30, but totally up to you! We do not accept cash in our stores, so put money in your camper’s account or bring a card. The store will be open for everyone on Friday at drop-off, on Saturday for campers and (again) for everyone Sunday during pick-up.

Friend Requests

Do you want to come with a friend? If the genders and grades fit, we can help make sure up to four friends are in the same cabin together. For more info on how to do this, see our guide to friend requests. It’s written for summer, but all the information is the same for Winterfest.

Friend requests must be completed (generated and accepted) by midnight on the Monday before Winterfest starts.

Camp for Even Longer

We’re so excited about the Winterfest experience, but don’t forget we also have even longer experiences in the summer, for both one and two weeks. Want to sign up? Log in and add a new session for summer, or call us at 877-474-6326.