Upcoming Events

Little Explorers

Select Tuesdays, 10-11:30 am

Mini-adventures for you and your little one. Recommended ages 4-7, sibs welcome.
Stay after to play and picnic.

Tues. January 17 – Warm in Winter: Learn about winter adaptations of bugs, birds, and mammals. Look for animal tracks and signs in the woods, then create a bug hotel to take home.

Tues. Feb 14 – We Love Animals: Let’s find out about the cutest animals that live at Pinecrest, including the furry groundhog and birds that stay in “love” for life! We’ll find out what makes the different animals special, play a game to understand their behaviors, and create a fuzzy animal friend to take home.

Tues. Mar 14 – Millipedes and More: What is the difference between millipedes and centipedes? Where do they live? Who are their neighbors? Let’s dig in to find out about these creepy crawlies and how they help keep the forest clean and healthy. Create a cute bug hotel for your yard.

Tues. April 4 – Caring for the Earth: What can little ones do to help care for the Earth? We’ll introduce a few of the Leave No Trace Principles with active lessons for young learners and create a craft that gives back to Mother Nature.

Tues. May 16 – Monarchs in May: Monarchs are a special butterfly that migrates to Mexico and back! Learn about butterfly anatomy and their life cycle, go on a butterfly hunt, and meet the special plant that monarchs love while helping us water our garden. Create a butterfly craft and bring milkweed seeds home for your garden!

$8/child, one adult helper free. Ages 2 and under, free. $5 Additional non-participating guests.
Reservations required. Space is limited.
Call 901-878-1247 or email Charity@camppinecrest.org to RSVP

Tennessee Naturalist Program

Spring 2023 begins Feb 10

The mission of the Tennessee Naturalist Program is to teach Tennesseans about our natural world, inspire the desire to learn more, instill an appreciation of responsible environmental stewardship, and channel volunteer efforts toward education of the general public and conservation of Tennessee’s natural resources. Become a Certified Tennessee Naturalist through 40 hours of instruction and 40 hours of volunteer service. Limited space available.

Registration now open!

Learn more and register at www.tnnaturalist.org
Call 901-878-1247 or email charity@camppinecrest.org for details.

Trail Maintenance Mondays

Feb 13, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1
10am-2pm

We are smoothing trails, creating new trails, and clearing up and restoring old trails. We can supply some tools, or bring your own loppers, trimmers, rake, or shovel. Bring lunch and water!

Drop in and stay as long as you like.

Register Online: https://serve.volunteerodyssey.com/event/307279-Trail-Maintenance-Mondays

Stargazers U-Night!

Sat. Feb 4 2023 6-8 pm

Let’s gather in the fields for stargazing. We’ll start indoors with presentation to brush up on our astronomy knowledge, then head out to our dark sky fields to view deep space objects through the incredible telescopes of the Memphis Astronomical Society. BYO binoculars for added fun.

Meet at Chapel for indoor presentation at 6 pm.
Pay what you can, $5 per person suggested donation. Proceeds support our Dark Sky Project.
RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901—878-1247

Junior Journalers Nature Club

Select Tuesdays, 1-3pm

Perfect for the homeschool family. Bring your journal and pencil (or other favorite journaling supplies).
Each class includes nature journaling techniques, fun group activities, and inquisitive individual exploration.
Taught by Amaya Shreeve, mentee of John Muir Laws.

Feb 14: Feb-“bird”-ary – Journaling basics and bird discoveries
Mar 14: Aquatic Habitats – Watery landscapes and hidden life
Apr 4: Signs of Spring – Spring buds, flowers, and trees
May 16: Butterflies, Beetles, and Bugs – Insects galore

Pay what you can, suggested $10/Person
RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247

Field School for Homeschool

Select Wednesdays, 10am-Noon

Join us in the forests, fields, and creeks for environmental education classes with our Program Director. Each session will include a lesson, exploration, activities in the field, and field journaling for learning reinforcement.

BYO field journal and be ready for exploration. Recommended grades 3-5. Siblings welcome to join or play on the playground!

Weds. December 14: Exploring Evergreens – Explore the forest and learn about the variety of plants that keep their chlorophyll kicking. Journals will be filled with greenery and we’ll finish with a winter decoration craft.

Weds. January 25: Fire Building and Campfire Cooking – We’ll hike to the Overlook to learn techniques of fire building and match lighting, then practice our skills. Around the warm fire, we will put together a small lunch and dessert to enjoy while we journal and take in the scenic views into Mississippi.

Weds. February 22: Hearts and Parts – Discover the fascinating adaptations of animal hearts and anatomy through modeling, interactive comparisons, fun games, and compare/contrast journaling.

Weds. March 29: Herpetology at Pollywog Pond – Frogs and salamanders and so much fun! Come wearing clothes and shoes that can get into the habitat of these incredible animals. Witness amphibian metamorphosis in an ephemeral pool, one that dries up in summer and contains no fish predators. Journal our findings.

Weds. April 26: Geologic Forces – What is our region of Tennessee made of? How did these materials form and get here? We’ll explore the science of “Earth-making” and gain a mountain of knowledge! Journal sketches of these processes with a geologic timeline.

Weds. May 17: May Bees – The honey bee, the bumble bee, the carpenter bee… and so many more! Let’s look for a variety of these important pollinators and understand how important they really are! Maybe we’ll find some bee mimics, maybe we’ll discover the secrets of their aerodynamics. Take home a plant to boost your garden offerings and journal about our May bees!

$10/participant, one adult free per family, $5/additional adults. Registration required; space is limited.
RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org

Ghost River Trace Hike

Sat. Feb 112023 9am-Noon

This 5 mile hike explores long-abandoned pre-Civil War roads, or “traces”, to the Ghost River section of the Wolf River. Take a journey through time and you’ll encounter a wide variety of habitats, plant communities, huge old beeches and oaks, culminating with a view of the pristine upper Wolf River at the now mostly obscure site of Baugh Bridge, once a major crossing that connected West Tennessee and North Mississippi. Imagine the people who have come and gone through this old trace throughout years past and visit swamps accessible only by foot.

Footwear must cover toes and should at least cover ankles. Be prepared for mud and rough terrain.
5 miles considered moderate to strenuous.
Bring plenty of water and your own snacks.

Pay what you can, $5/person suggested donation
RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247

Play in the Pines
Fri., March 17 – Sat. March 18 6:00pm – 10:30am

Kids bring their favorite adults and spend the night at camp!

Find out about summer camp or just hang out. Enjoy a night hike, s’mores over the campfire, arts/crafts, games, and nature activities. Parents will appreciate the info session with Q&A on summer camp details.

$45/adult and $35/kid
Supper and breakfast plus private lodging and activities are included.

Register Here!

World Water Days Education Event
Weds March 22-Fri March 24 9:30am-12:30pm

4-7^th grades are invited to join this fun educational event to celebrate World Water Day. Students will visit stations to learn local hydrology, participate in stormwater demos, practice ecology research techniques, create an edible aquifer, walk to see the exposed layers of our aquifer, tour the University of Memphis’ Water on Wheels truck, and more! Bring lunches to picnic after the program.

$15/student
Click here to register: https://forms.gle/QrMiYHFJ5a2AYLpMA
Email Charity@camppinecrest.org for more information.

Family Hike with the Biologist: April Fool’s Edition

Sat. April 1 10-Noon

Explore up and over the hills to the Overlook and back. Find evidence of wildlife and how our local animals are able to “fool” and “trick” others in their survival adaptations. Approximately 1 mile. Wear appropriate footwear and bring water.

Pay what you can, $5 suggested donation per person.
RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247

Natural Resources Career Exploration

Weds. April 12 9:30-12:30

Students in grades 8-12 can experience STEAM-based careers in the outdoors. Each station will be led by a professional in forestry, hydrologic systems, stewardship ecology, environmental education, and wildlife biology and includes an activity for students to sample some of the exciting ways we protect and manage our important resources.

$15/student, $5/chaperones, teachers free.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program.
Register here: https://forms.gle/QrMiYHFJ5a2AYLpMA
Email Charity@camppinecrest.org with questions.

Spring Celebration Field Trip Day

Friday, April 14 10 am-Noon

Students in grades K-3 will enjoy a day-out at Pinecrest that combines learning and fun! Learn about plant parts by making a silly soup, play a game to learn tree ID, learn campfire safety and enjoy a s’more, get creative with hands-on art, and meet the baby goats!

$10/student, $5 chaperones, teachers free.
Bring a picnic lunch to stay and play.
Register here: https://forms.gle/QrMiYHFJ5a2AYLpMA
Email Charity@camppinecrest.org with questions.

Summer Camp Preview Day!

Sun. April 16 2-5 pm

Visit Pinecrest to see what summer camp is all about! Meet the staff, check out the cabins, play on the playground, try a camp craft, explore a trail, and roast a marshmallow. Our camps serve rising 1^st – 12^th graders. Been to camp before? Come say hi and enjoy a fun day at your favorite getaway. We’ll even open canteen for merch and treats.

Complete the scavenger hunt and you could win a Pinecrest shirt when you register for camp!

Free and open to anyone interested in camp.
Just show up, or RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org

Firefly Lightshow Popup Hike

2023 TBD 8-10 pm

You won’t believe your eyes! Walk through the forest and fields to observe a variety of firefly species lighting up the night including the breathtaking Snappy Syncs, a synchronous firefly at home in the Pinecrest woods.

Please arrive between 7:30-8pm and we will begin our hike towards the Overlook as the sun is setting. Enjoy a scenic view while we look for a few wildlife friends and listen for the owls, nightjars, and tree frogs. The hike will continue through the forest and out to the fields full of flashing and blinking colorful lights.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
-If using bug spray, please do not handle fireflies (mosquito headnets and long loose clothing are highly recommended).

-Wear sturdy hiking shoes, the hike is approximately 1 mile over rough, possibly muddy terrain and several elevation gains of 40-75 feet.

-Dim, red, or blue flashlights work best for observation in low-light conditions.

-Please be advised of speed limits in nearby towns when traveling to Pinecrest, hike departs promptly at 8:05pm.

-This event is rain or shine, unless weather conditions are severe.

-Any last minute updates will be posted on Facebook.

Suggested $5 per person donation.

Wilderness First Aid

TBD

Prepare for the unexpected in the outdoors and receive your certification in Wilderness First Aid. Through this two-day course, you’ll practice patient assessment and treatments, prevention and injury care, and environmental hazards with limited resources and longer emergency response times in a remote setting. Certification is through the Emergency Care and Safety Institute taught by Blues City Kayaks. Ages 12 and up. Students age 12-17 must be accompanied by parent/guardian.

Lunch each day is included. Saturday dinner optional.
Optional private or semi-private overnight accommodations and Saturday dinner.
Register online at https://pinecrest.campbrainregistration.org
Contact Charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247 to inquire about food, lodging, or with general questions.

Plenty in the Pines

Thursday, November 24, 2022 11:30-1:00

Here’s to plenty of gratitude and plenty of turkey! Join us for a homemade meal, then enjoy our bonfires, hayrides, and rocking chairs.

RSVP by November 10 amanda@camppinecrest.org or 901.878.1247

Adults $25, Kids ages 4-10 $15, Kids under 4 Free

Presbyterian Youth Connection Retreat

2023 TBD for Middle and High Schoolers $120/person

ARE YOU READY FOR A REVOLUTION?!

Jesus was not a pushover! Jesus did some REVOLUTIONARY things like eating with ‘sinners’ and ‘unworthy’ folks in a time when where and with whom you ate and visited was so important. Jesus called the whole social order into question and called us to turn the world up-side down (or, really, right-side up!). Let’s talk about it. And play about it. And hang out about it….

Your youth group is welcome. Bring an adult chaperone, and you’re in!

Email Lucy@camppinecrest.org to register.

Greeks in the Pines:
Rush and Sisterhood Retreats

Three meals, one night lodging, and swim time. Make your reservation today!

$50 per person/$45 for additional nights | Download Flyer

Special rate available for July and August

CampFood and Cocktails

2023 TBD 5-7:30pm

Our big fundraiser party! Join Pinecrest friends new and old while enjoying yummy foods, drinks, campfires, a silent auction, music, and more at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, 5530 Shady Grove Rd in Memphis.

Learn more about the event, ticketing, and volunteer opportunities at the CampFood and Cocktails page by clicking here!

Hootenanny

TBD 2022

Mark your calendars and tell your friends about November 20th, y’all! It’s a Hootenanny at Pinecrest! We will dance, drink, eat some s’mores, laugh all night long, and maybe even enjoy a warm breakfast for the morning after!

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Stay up to date with us and watch for more details on pricing, availability, and COVID protocols!

Cinnamon Roll Out and Merch Orders

Grab some swag and cinnamon rolls for holiday gifting!

Sweatshirts–

Cinnamon Rolls – Our famous rolls are made by our kitchen staff at Pinecrest, frozen, and packaged for gifting. Order by…. for Memphis pickup on Saturday, …….. We’ll set a midday pickup time at Shady Grove Presbyterian, or you can make an appointment to pickup at Pinecrest.
$15/pan, $14/pan for orders of 10 or more.

Contact us to order: amanda@camppinecrest.org or 901.878.1247

Christmas Camp

2023 TBD

27 magical hours at Pinecrest! We’ll sing, dance, play, make stuff, go hiking, have a bonfire and s’mores, drink hot chocolate… all the things AND your favorite summer camp counselors will be here, too! Bring a friend!
Open to Grades 3-8.
$125 includes dinner, breakfast, lunch and tons of fun.

Registration open now!
Visit pinecrest.campbrainregistration.com

Hunt for the Blue Ghost Firefly

Fri. May 6 7:30-9:30pm

Become a firefly scientist as we look for the unique Blue Ghost (Phausis reticulata). Observe this unique firefly, only recently noted to occur at Pinecrest. Wander through the fields and watch their ghostly blue lights hover in the tree-line. Experience the magic of all of the various fireflies that make Pinecrest their home.

Please Note:

Indoor info session will begin at 7.
Please do not apply bug spray. Wear long pants, sleeves, and (if available) a mosquito head net.
If you have a bug net, please bring it! A headlamp is also recommended.
Catch and release only. Fireflies populations are declining, and it is no longer acceptable to keep them in a jar through the night.

$5 suggested donation.
Please RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-847-1247

Open-Gate Days

TBD

Play on the playground, splash in the creek, explore the woods, try a scavenger hunt, shop our merch, and picnic in the sunshine. Check out our Amphibian Pond Party on Thursday in our event listings (RSVP).

Dogs on leash welcome. Please clean up after your pet. Please no dogs at educational programs.

If you feel sick, please remain home.

Suggested donation $5/person

Call 901-878-1247 or e-mail Charity@camppinecrest.org for more info.