Scenic view of trees at camp

Tag: staff


Here Am I: Send Me

by Valerie Morby

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How the Springs Assembled its Inaugural Summer Team You can’t open a summer camp without a few invaluable ingredients. A large enough property, for one. The buildings that will feed, house, and entertain your campers, for another. But most importantly—especially if your constant refrain is “Our Staff Is Our Program”—you need the counselors, health assistants, […]

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More 2021 Camp Names We Love

by Valerie Morby

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When it comes to fun and creative staff camp names, sometimes more is more! So we’re bringing you even more new favorite camp names from this summer! From the silly (“Bucket Head”) to the delicious (“Spicy Thai Chili Wings”), we’ve definitely got something for everyone. Check them all out below, then be sure to let […]

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Staff Profile: Amanda “Super Soaker” Barnes

by Tiffany Gilliam

Amanda Barnes close up

Amanda Barnes has been with Pine Cove for decades. She is a mother, a wife, and a Pine Cove Outback Registrar, or “Reggie” to use the common nickname. She was recruited to Pine Cove as a college counselor in 1999, and has been an exceptional example of the kindness and commitment of Jesus at Pine […]

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Throwback Alumni: Katie “MapQuest” West

by Pine Cove

throwback talent show

Katie “MapQuest” (Massinger) West has been part of the Pine Cove family for as long as she can remember. Her Pine Cove story began before she was born and spans the 80s, 90s, 00s, and still continues! Let’s walk down memory lane with her through the decades and have a look at how camp has […]

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Staff Trips 2020 Recap

by Anna Birch

staff on top of a mountain

Every winter, camp teams get their staff together for a trip to reconnect at a fun location. These trips allow the group to relax and play together, as well as serve and have intentional time. This year, staff went to Colorado, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and even the Caribbean, among other places. Here is a quick […]

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Staff Favorites: Family Books

by Anna Birch

Man reading Bible

Reading together as a family is a great way to make memories, learn together, and start great conversations. We often say at camp that shared experience builds trust, and what better way to share an experience than to open a book together?  We asked our full-time staff to share books that they love to read […]

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Staff Profile: Jan “Sugar Pop” Robertson

by Jenny Sowers Rutland

Jan Robertson

We got the chance to talk with Jan Robertson and hear what it’s been like to join Pine Cove later than most, how it has changed her life, and all the fun and challenges that come with pioneering a new camp. Oh, and she kept us laughing with the story of her engagement to her […]

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Leadership Weekend 2018

by Chelsea Connor

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If you’ve ever dropped your kids off at camp, or if you’ve stayed at family camp, you know it takes a lot of staff to make camp happen with excellence every summer. Besides the directors, all those college students might look the same, but some do more behind-the-scenes work than others. Every camp has a […]

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Staff Profile: Jenny “Whistle Toe” Sowers

by Pine Cove

Jenny Sowers

Jenny “Whistle Toe” Sowers graduated from the University of Oklahoma (OU) in 2008 with a degree in language arts education. She served as a summer staffer at the Ranch, and then transitioned into working in registration, and finally came to the Woods in 2012 as the Women’s Director. Whistle Toe guides the girls staff at […]

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My Child’s First Time At Overnight Youth Camp

by Valerie Morby

Youth campers in the pool

Editor’s Note: The following post was written by Michelle Tanzola, a mom who sent her daughter to the overnight youth camp at Pine Cove for the first time this summer! Last year her daughter experienced Camp in the City for the first time. Read about that experience here. If the Olympics gave medals for summer camps, Pine […]

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