Upcoming Events

Cinnamon Roll Out and Merch Orders

Grab some swag and cinnamon rolls for holiday gifting!

Sweatshirts– these forest green sweatshirts are the SOFTEST! Order in sizes youth small-youth large or adult small to adult XXL. Order sweatshirts by Nov. 15. Have it mailed or pick up in person at Pinecrest or at Shady Grove Presbyterian December 10.

Cinnamon Rolls – Our famous rolls are made by our kitchen staff at Pinecrest, frozen, and packaged for gifting. Order by Dec 3 for Memphis pickup on Saturday, Dec 10. 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

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

Trail Maintenance Mondays

August 29, September 19, October 24, November 21, and December 12
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

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. November 15: Hoot and Hike – Learn about the owls and other birds of our area. Learn about the different kinds of bird nests, parts of a bird, and go on a birdwatching hike. Practice your bird calls and DIY a bird sound craft.

Tues. December 6: 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.

$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

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. November 16: Mushroom STEM – Meet the fun guys of fungi! We’ll look for mushrooms fruiting in the woods to learn about the different types, their parts, and how they work. We’ll also measure, sketch, and journal our finds. Finally, we’ll grab some creek clay to make DIY take-home mushrooms. *This is not an edible foraging class.

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.

$8/participant, one adult free per family, $5/additional guests. Registration required; space is limited.
RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org

Ghost River Trace Hike

Sat. November 19 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

Stargazers U-Night!

Sat. December 3 6-8:30 pm

Let’s gather in the fields for stargazing. We’ll start indoors with presentation on Light Pollution and the Dark Sky Project at Pinecrest, 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

Christmas Camp

Sunday, Dec. 18-Monday Dec. 19 2:00pm-5:00pm

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.

Registration open now!
Visit pinecrest.campbrainregistration.com

Firefly Drive-In

2023 TBD 7-9:30 pm
The lightning bug display at Pinecrest is spectacular! Our chemical-free fields and forest edges host thousands of fireflies and a variety of species, each with their own flash pattern. Take a hayride and hop off out in the fields to frolic with the fireflies!

Families can also learn about how they can help encourage fireflies at their own home, visit with a local entomologist to discover the many species in our area, do a little stargazing with our astronomer friends, and enjoy a s’more around the campfire.

BYO: Lawn chairs, picnic, bug spray. We strongly suggest wearing long sleeves, pants, and a mosquito head net.
Keep fireflies safe by washing hands after applying bug spray and always release fireflies soon after you catch them.

$10 per car, truck, minivan.
Register online at https://pinecrest.campbrainregistration.com or pay cash at the gate.

Cabin rentals available! Call 901-878-1247 to make a reservation.

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.

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.

Play in the Pines
2023 TBD 6:00pm – 10:30am

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

Find out about summer camp or just hang out. Night hike, s’mores over the campfire, arts/crafts, and hunts. Supper and breakfast as well as lodging and program are included.

$40/adult and $30/kid

Register Here!

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!

–

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

Tennessee Naturalist Program

Spring 2022 Session FULL

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.

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

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

Summer Camp Preview Day!

Sun. April 10 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.

Door Prize: Complete the Scavenger Hunt and you’ll be entered to win Play in the Pines admission for one adult and one child (K-8th grade)! See Play in the Pines event for more details.

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

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.