Pinecrest Camp

11/02/2024

Check out our new sign for The GEEC! So many partners came together to create this hub for our environmental learning programs, like George Moseley, who creates incredible custom wood products. George created these signs for our building; one large enough to see from the driveway!

We love it!

You can see more of George's work and maybe order the perfect holiday gift by visiting ByGeorge901.com.

10/30/2024

What a beautiful sunset evening last Sunday at CampFood and Cocktails. This year's fundraiser was one of our most successful yet!

Hearts were warmed, the cheery atmosphere was just the right amount of lively, and our Pinecrest family feels stronger than ever.

Big thanks to all who made it possible. Two bands played some classics; the Steve Berger Band and the Swamp Trompers. Satisfying foods provided by The Fry Guy, Gus' Chicken, Firehutch Catering, and our own kitchen director Lori. Blue Note brought samples of their delicious bourbon releases. Dozens of local businesses and artisans donated to our silent auction, which along with the wine pull, admissions, and cabin-naming sales brought in plentiful funding. Generous donors also provided support for the new Lodge roof renovations.

Jennifer Lovelace, Director of Leadership at St. Agnes Academy, read a wonderfully inspiring speech to deliver her heartfelt message of the impact of Pinecrest on her students. We recognize the ways that "God winks" when bringing us together.

Shady Grove Presbyterian deserves a big thank you. Our annual fundraiser has a beautiful location to celebrate together on the lawns at their centrally-located church.

Finally, thank you to our board members for working so hard on organizing the event! Many weeks of work and it's soo worth it!

If you couldn't make it to the event, but would like to donate to our new roof fund or our general operations, please visit our fundraiser link here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=89RAKA9TDV4LJ

10/26/2024

Our amazing volunteers are at it again!
Philip, Lorrie, and Michelle helped in preparing some fun new playground additions, like sealing wooden spools to become tables and bridges as well as lifting and placing beams on "the campfire". A forest friend was habitating under the beams that were in the forest, and Michelle helped relocate it to a safer location.
Thanks volunteers!

10/21/2024

We had a time last night!
Thanks to The Fry Guy and so many others who made CampFood and Cocktails a great success!

10/20/2024

CampFood and Cocktails means more!
More campers enjoying old-fashioned summer fun, more retreaters feeling their friendships grow, more students captivated by nature, more hikes, more future Naturalists, more young adults finding their leadership skills, more nights under the stars, more fireflies protected, more... Pinecrest!

We just can't help being so excited for tomorrow's big annual fundraiser, because we know what we can do with MORE of you there!

Our event comes is made possible with the help of many who have donated their time, space, food, music, and auction items. Please join us for the festivities at Shady Grove Presbyterian and be part of the "more" to come this year.

Get your tickets and learn more (we said it again!) here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-976587107327

10/19/2024

Weekend plans:
Pumpkins ✔
Get tickets for CampFood and Cocktails✔
Campfire✔
Church✔
Attend CampFood and Cocktails!✔
Enjoy music by Swamp Trompers and the Steve Berger Band✔
Sip this year's signature cocktail✔
Bid on an eco-tour with the Wolf River Conservancy and maybe those diamond earrings✔
Also bid on a Pinecrest S'more Fun Sleepover for the family and tickets to GPAC✔
Leave with a big smile and a full heart✔

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-976587107327

10/15/2024

This Sunday! Bid on a week of summer camp, registration for Christmas Camp, two tickets to Thanksgiving Lunch at Pinecrest, baskets of spirits, gift cards, jewelry, and more.

Support Pinecrest... your camp and a camp for all!

Get your tickets early and save.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-976587107327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

10/11/2024

Who doesn't love a silent auction? A sneak peak at our auction items include: Stoney River Steakhouse, Rock-n-Dough Pizza Co., Sweet Creations, and more!

Plus, we have a surprise delicious treat awaiting our guests.

Your tickets help raise funds to send more kids to camp!
Get yours today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-976587107327

10/08/2024

The silent auction at CampFood and Cocktails is always a treat. We celebrate some of our favorite locally-owned businesses like Sweet Creations and Our Daily Bread in the historic Cogbill's building in La Grange. Thank you to Tim and Cyndi Oliver for their generous donation.

Join our annual fundraiser on Sun. October 20 from 5-7pm at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church in Memphis. Tickets can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-976587107327?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

10/07/2024

As a host chapter of the Tennessee Naturalist Program, we also are pleased to host continuing education classes like the most recent one on spiders.

Our next session of TNP certification classes will be announced in the coming months.

10/04/2024

Join our upcoming preaching workshop. Call 901-878-1247 for info and details.

10/03/2024

10/02/2024

Space is open to the public for this special, exciting seasonal Tennessee Naturalist Program class! Join us this Saturday.

Scared of spiders? That's okay! Learn about their life cycle and gain a greater appreciation for their place in the "web" of life.

It's October, which means it's officially spooky season! What better time to learn about spiders than around Halloween? Join us for TN2: Spiders THIS Saturday, October 5. Register at the link below before these spots are taken! https://tnnaturalist.org/register/

09/24/2024

Let us tell you about this selfless and tireless group - Mariners in Mission - who swooped down to Pinecrest and did ALL the work: painting the back of the Lodge, making new curtains for the Central cabins, staining decks, electrical work in the Chapel, and so much more. Thank God for their ministry!

09/11/2024

Our 3rd grade students from Memphis Merit Academy learned about the importance of taking a break in nature. They enjoyed a nice, relaxing reflection time at the Lookout at Pinecrest Retreat Center.

Did you know taking a break in nature can:
🌱 reduce stress
🌱 improve mental health
🌱 improve sleep quality
🌱 improve focus
🌱 increase creativity
🌱 increase immune function
🌱 increase calmness and alertness
🌱make you happy!

09/08/2024

In 2023, the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance surveyed over 600 school teachers and administrators across the southeast as part of a multi-year, multi-agency Landscape Analysis. We thought the responses for this question fit the field trips at Pinecrest perfectly! Check out the survey here: https://www.southeastee.org/landscape

"When taking your students on field trips, what is your priority?"

Providing students with hands-on experience related to the subject matter - 94%
Doing something fun and enjoyable - 91%
Hearing from experts - 86%
Visiting natural resources/spaces not available on campus - 86%
Learning something not taught in class - 82%
Exposure to career opportunities - 78%
Opportunity to plan and carry out project-based learning - 77%
Getting students out of the classroom - 76%
Experiencing standards-based programming led by another educator - 70%

08/11/2024

We're so excited for this upcoming conference with this excellent keynote speaker! Teachers from any background should join us next month. Our program director is conference co-chair and will be presenting "Braiding Yucca," an activity for educators to use to engage with native plants while discussing Indigenous culture.

More information can be found on the conference at www.eeintennessee.org

11/03/2023

We're just too excited for Sunday! CampFood and Cocktails is our favorite time to connect with our supporters over campfires and yummy treats.

Speaking of treats... we'll have some cultural treats up for grabs at the silent auction like a family membership to Memphis Botanic Garden and two tickets to a season 29 show of your choice at the Germantown Performaing Arts Center. Big thank you to our donors!

And could we ask for a better weather forecast?
Tickets at the gate will be $75, or purchase online for great savings!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

10/31/2023

We hope everyone has a Happy Halloween tonight! Stay warm and light up the night. Parents and grown-ups, let's have ourselves a happy CampFood and Cocktails on Sunday.

Remember this is just for our 21+ supporters, and we'll be handing out our signature Caramel Apple cocktail with delicous Blue Note Bourbon as you arrive.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

10/31/2023

Another CampFood and Cocktails Sneak Peek! Beautiful local art on our auction table includes handmade pottery, whimsical art, and a colorful quilted accent pillow.

Do you have your tickets yet? The weather is looking great for Sunday... sunny and 72 degrees.

Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

10/29/2023

We're one week out from our CampFood and Cocktails fundraiser!

Here's a sneak peek of some of the specialty items available in our silent auction. A salt-and-honey pie by Marble and Pin, delicious Yoder's pumpkin butters and more, and Peachy's Pure maple syrups and creams.

Join us next Sunday from 4-6. Advance tickets $60, tickets at the gate $75.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

10/27/2023

CampFood and Cocktails~the annual Pinecrest fundraiser event of the year.

Guests will be transported to camp on the scenic grounds of Shady Grove Church. Fires will glow, marshmallows will roast, and guitars will strum. This casual event will include a tasty twist on traditional camp foods, a new signature cocktail, a silent auction, a wine pull, and a chance to sit fireside with friends and catch up.

All the money we raise will go to support our beloved retreat in the piney woods and ensure that it continues to “be a place set apart where people of all ages can come to listen for God.”

Event is 21+ because of alcohol service.

Dress: Casual and warm! We’ll be outside for the entire event
Bring: Your own lawn chair or blanket
Park: Shady Grove Presbyterian Church 5530 Shady Grove Rd
Keep in Mind: This event is ADULTS only

Get your tickets now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
$60 in advance, $75 at the gate.

10/15/2023

Loved having Joel at Pinecrest!

From Joel Winchip, Executive Director of PCCCA/Campfire Collective – On October 3, I had the opportunity to visit Pinecrest Camp and Retreat Center in Moscow, TN. This association member site is located on 450 acres just 35 minutes east of Memphis. Charity Siebert, Program Director, showed me around their facilities. They have a spectacular chapel which they describe as "an architectural wonder of soaring glass and wood nestled on the edge of a beautiful forest." It can hold 175 people. I encourage you to go to https://camppinecrest.org to learn more about Pinecrest (and see pictures of the chapel).

10/13/2023

Get your tickets now for our annual fundraiser, CampFood and Cocktails!

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campfood-and-cocktails-tickets-721602441327?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

10/12/2023

Introducing Doodle, the new corn snake ambassador of Pinecrest!

Doodle will make appearances at many of our education events, including his first public meet-and-greet at tomorrow's Open-Gate Day.

Come see this cutie and learn all about our incredible local reptile friends. We can't stress enough how every living thing in its natural environment creates a strong biodiversity ecosystem along with providing a sense of awe.

Check out our Open-Gate event on our events postings!