FRIENDLY PINES CAMP FRIENDLY PINES CAMP NEWSLETTER
HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO OUR CAMP FAMILIES!
We can hardly believe it’s 2025! We hope your holiday season and time after camp has gone well We’ve kept busy here at Friendly Pines, getting ready for next summer by opening enrollment back in October, starting to hire new counselors and re-hire returning counselors, and fixing up some buildings and areas around camp, to name a few things!
We’re so excited to already be about 70% full for next summer. You can read about what sessions had availability at the time of this newsletter being sent out later on
We hope that everyone has a relaxing and wonderful New Year, and we can’t wait to welcome both new and returning campers this year for our 85th season!
Yours & s’mores, The Folks at Friendly Pines Camp
We’re Hiring: Join our 2025 Staff!
ENROLLMENT UPDATE CANCELLATIONS
Enrollment for the summer of 2025 was officially opened as of October 1st.
As of the writing of this newsletter, we are about 70% full overall There is still plenty of availability all summer long, but spaces are filling up quickly You can see our upto-date availability on our website at friendlypinescom/dates-and-rates
Once a session is filled, we accept waitlisters There is no fee or penalty to join the waitlist, and there's always the chance of a space opening up, so it doesn't hurt to sign up!
For those that need it, we thought it best to take a moment to reiterate our cancellation policy. There are four cancellation deadlines:
FIRST CANCELLATION DEADLINE IS December 31st, 2024. If you cancel on or before December 31st, 2024, there will be a $100 cancellation fee per camper. 1.
SECOND CANCELLATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28th, 2025 If you cancel between January 1st- February 28, 2025 your initial deposit becomes nonrefundable (per camper) 2.
THIRD CANCELLATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 30th, 2025. If you cancel between March 1st- April 30th, BOTH deposits (initial and secondary) become non-refundable 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Round Ups are informal Information nights where you can meet the directors, have your questions answered, and win prizes! Our Open House is a great time to come and see camp in person; join us for camp tours & enjoy a free included lunch!
FOURTH CANCELLATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1st, 2025 If you cancel on or after May 1st, 2025 the entire tuition balance is due and becomes non-refundable 4
IN-PERSON ROUND-UP
Monday, March 24th | 7-8:30PM Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
You can RSVP for all our upcoming events (including private, individual camp tours) at the following link!:
https://calendly.com/friendly-pines-camp
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 17th | 11AM-2PM Friendly Pines Camp
Benefits of Camp
BLOG POST OBTAINED FROM THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION WEBSITE, ACACAMPS.ORG
Camp helps children grow by providing a supervised, positive environment that has safety as a primary commitment.
The camp experience enriches lives and changes the world.
Camp provides children with a community of caring adults who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value All of the outcomes self-identity, self-worth, selfesteem, leadership, and self-respect build personal competencies These personal competencies are reflected in the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character!
For years, campers' parents have reported that when their children return home from camp they are more caring, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible. These are the qualities that will help build a successful nation and a civil society
Camp professionals have enormous power in conveying simple teachable moments special moments of passing experiences touched by the human spirit. These fleeting moments of time build three significant ACA values that are reflected in the benefits campers derive from camp.
ACA values people. The moments that result in the camp experience repeatedly express the value of people. We demonstrate that value through respect, honesty, caring, and
sharing Through the camp experience, young people learn to understand the strength of mankind They also develop an appreciation for the qualities required to protect the fragile relationships needed to protect these relationships
ACA values the natural world We seek and appreciate what is real, genuine, and nonartificial In seeking those qualities in people as well as in the actual world, we foster understanding of the importance of human connections for survival and of the critical connections to our physical world. Campers realize the need to protect not only one another, but also the environment in which they live
Children are at less risk at camp where they have a sense of community, develop intergenerational relationships, and learn through first-hand experiences Trained, caring adult role models help children feel loved, capable, and included Camp helps children grow by providing a supervised, positive environment that has safety as a primary commitment
Our intent is to
preserve and share that legacy with the next generation
Finally, ACA values a sense of contribution
Our contributions are both obvious and subtle The benefits of our work are both immediate and slow to emerge Most significantly, although the experience itself is often fleeting, our impact on the human spirit lasts a lifetime. Children who attend camp develop connections with the world.
We never underestimate the simplest lesson or the briefest wink of time. It may be a star in someone's horizon for all eternity.
BENEFITS AND ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES OF THE CAMP EXPERIENCE
BLOG POST OBTAINED FROM THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION WEBSITE, ACACAMPS ORG
Community Living/Service Skills
Caring
Fairness
Citizenship
Trustworthiness
Social Skills Development
Leadership
Communication
Participation
Self-Respect & Character Building
Responsibility
Resourcefulness
Resilience
COOPER’S CORNER
Hi Everyone! It’s me, Cooper!
Hope all you kids are doing well I miss seeing you all here at camp! I have been very busy helping Friendly Pines’ Maintenance Team make improvements here at camp
Our maintenance team is so efficient, they have already done so much since summer camp wrapped up Currently, we are adding more built-in bunks to all our cabins, say goodbye to those annoying metal bunks Our team has also made the railings on all our top bunks taller I already feel so much better for all our campers who sleep on top bunks! Lastly, the outside of our buildings are getting a nice makeover as well with new paint and staining
Many of the trees here at camp needed to be trimmed up. I did my best to chew the small sticks, while the rest of the maintenance team took care of the actual wood chopping. Our team always does a great job making our camp fire-wise.
Well I better get back to work. Hurry up summer I miss you kiddos!!
Love, Cooper
STAFF APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
Know anyone looking for a summer job who would make a stellar counselor? Encourage them to apply to work at Friendly Pines for 2025...APPLICATIONS ARE NOW LIVE!
HOW OLD DO APPLICANTS HAVE TO BE TO APPLY?
We accept applicants that are at least 18 years old. (17-years-old if they've joined our CIT Program) Most of our counselors are college students between the ages of 1824 years old.
WHAT ARE THE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT?
We require staff to work a minimum of 8 weeks: May 19th - July 12th, 2025. (Some activities will have additional trainings and sessions, which will be paid pro-rata).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS & COMPENSATION?
Counselors can earn at least $5,632 in the summer! We require staff to work a minimum of 8 weeks: May 19th - July 12th, 2025 (Some activities will have additional trainings and sessions, which will be paid pro-rata)
FPC WORD SEARCH
Find the FPC traditions listed below in the word search! Words can be spelled backwords and diagonally, and traditions with spaces in between will be just one word in the puzzle.
BAKED OATMEAL
BIRTHDAY FAIRIES
CAMPFIREPALOOZA CARNIVAL
EARTHQUAKE CAKE
FRIENDSHIP SONG
HAMOCK SIESTA
LION HUNT
OVERNIGHTS
PIZZA SPAGHETTI
S'MORES
RENDEZVOUS
ROUND DANCE
TALENT SHOW
WRESTELMANIA
Solution can be found on the last page of this newsletter!
MEET THE YEAR ROUND STAFF
Adam Esposito, the Camp Director, has spent 9 summers at camp and is now preparing for the 2025 season, including hiring and interviewing staff Adam’s favorite part of camp life is the people the campers he’s watched grow, the staff he’s mentored, and his daily team He also loves the unique mix of office work and outdoor adventures For 2025, Adam looks forward to connecting with new and returning campers and staff and seeing camp come alive again!
Sayaka Pierson has been part of FPC for 7 years. As the Business Manager, she mainly handles registration and bookkeeping. Sayaka loves connecting with camp families in the lead-up to summer and enjoys getting to know campers in the Post Office once camp is in full swing. One of her favorite moments is arrival day seeing both new and returning campers full of excitement (and maybe a few nerves!) and finally putting faces to names she’s worked with all year
Eldon Orgill, FPC’s Program Director, has been with camp for 3 summers He helps Adam with staffing during the off-season and leads the Program Staff and counselors in the summer to ensure camp runs smoothly Eldon’s favorite part of camp is being outdoors and interacting with campers to create unforgettable memories. Eldon is most excited about building an awesome environment for campers and staff and joining in on camp activities whenever possible!
Valerie Esposito has spent 11 summers at FPC and is our New Family Coordinator She ensures every family’s questions are answered and they’re ready to send their campers to FPC Valerie loves working with families and helping campers get pumped for all the amazing memories they’ll make just like she has! She’s also excited to collaborate with Adam, Eldon, Sayaka, and the rest of the incredible FPC team to create unforgettable experiences for our campers.
Derek Hassler, the Maintenance Director, has been keeping FPC running smoothly for 7 years. He leads the team that fixes, maintains, and improves the camp’s properties. Derek loves the beautiful scenery, the rich traditions, and most of all the people who make FPC so special. This summer, he’s excited to be part of the camp’s progress and, of course, to cheer on his favorite team, the Diamondbacks!
Gary Beddow is a part of the amazing maintenance team and has spent 5 summers ensuring camp runs smoothly His work includes maintaining the facilities, keeping the camp in pristine condition, and addressing repairs to support camp activities Gary’s favorite part of his role is preparing the meadow and lake to be at their best For 2025, he’s most excited to see campers enjoying activities in a beautifully maintained environment!
David Wangerin has been an essential part of FPC for an incredible 25 years and is now a part of our maintenance team He’s always busy keeping things running smoothly, whether it’s fixing something around camp or making supply runs into town David loves seeing the staff come together as a team and is most excited about watching campers enjoy themselves and make lifelong memories
The Friendly Pines Camp Year-Round Staff is an incredible team, serving as the heart and soul of FPC. With dedication, passion, and expertise, we bring our best to every aspect of camp life. Families can trust us to provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where their children can thrive. Together, we work diligently to create unforgettable experiences for campers and staff alike. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Summer 2025 it’s going to be amazing!
