Snappy Sync Firefly Hike

Saturday, June 3      8-10pm

Did you know west Tennessee has several species of synchronous fireflies? Come see the Snappy Syncs, Photuris frontalis, light up the wooded hillslopes at Pinecrest in an electrifying display. We’ll make our way to the Overlook as we listen to the owls and chuck-wills-widows. If we have a clear night we’ll see thousands of stars and take dark sky readings. Get hands-on and explore special wildlife areas that may yield more beautiful nocturnal wildlife finds.
We’ll hike as the sun sets, so bring a flashlight or headlamp (the best ones are low lumens plus a red or blue light filter). Loose long sleeves and a mosquito head net provide good protection without excessive bug spray that can harm the wildlife we want to see.
This event is open to all but limited to the first 25 people. Please no pets.
Pay what you can, suggested $10 donation to support our environmental education programs.
Arrive between 7:30-8, hike departs promptly at 8.
Register here: https://forms.gle/rE3JawUGWhSBNmXc7
Call 901-878-1247 for more information.

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!

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

Stargazers U-Night!

Please follow us for more events to come!

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

Family Hike with the Biologist

More TBD

Explore up and over the hills to the Overlook and back.  Looks for tracks and traces of local wildlife.  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

Trail Maintenance Mondays

Fall Dates TBD
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.

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

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.

Fall 2023 TBD

$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

Ghost River Trace Hike

Next Hike TBD       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!

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.

Fall 2023 TBD

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

Spring Celebration Field Trip Day

2024 TBD

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!
2024 TBD

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 1st – 12th 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!  Drawing at 4:30, winner must be present.

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

Natural Resources Career Exploration

2024 TBD     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.

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.

Blue Ghost Firefly Festival

2024 TBD

Don’t miss the very short window when you can see the Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata), first officially recognized in the Midsouth at Pinecrest just a few years ago!  These tiny fireflies seem to glow a beautiful long-lasting blue light along the edges of the forests and only appear as glowing adults for the first week of May. This event is an exciting family night out to discover the magical, glowing nocturnal world of the Midsouth.

Please arrive between 6-6:30 pm to settle in at the Chapel for a firefly presentation.

 We’ll begin with a firefly presentation in the Chapel before heading out for a variety of activities from firefly observations, a sunset hike, astronomy, sensory demonstrations, UV discoveries, a campfire and more!
Pay what you can. Suggested $10 donation per person.
Proceeds benefit Pinecrest’s environmental education programming.
Email Charity@camppinecrest.org with questions.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
-If using bug spray, please do not handle fireflies (mosquito headnets and long loose clothing are highly recommended in lieu of bug spray).
-Wear sturdy shoes or boots.  Sandals and shorts are not appropriate for the tall grass and uneven ground in the fields.
-Dim, red, or blue flashlights work best for observation in low-light conditions.
-This event is rain or shine, unless weather conditions are severe.
-Any last minute updates will be posted on Facebook.

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!

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

Tennessee Naturalist Program

Spring 2023 Closed.
Stay tuned for 2024!

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.

Snappy Syncs Firefly Hike

Sat. June 3     8-10 pm

Did you know west Tennessee has several species of synchronous fireflies?  Come see the Snappy Syncs, Photuris frontalis, light up the wooded hillslopes at Pinecrest in an electrifying display. We’ll make our way to the Overlook as we listen to the owls and chuck-wills-widows.  If we have a clear night we’ll see thousands of stars and take dark sky readings.  Get hands-on and explore special wildlife areas that may yield more beautiful nocturnal wildlife finds.

We’ll hike as the sun sets, so bring a flashlight or headlamp (the best ones are low lumens plus a red or blue light filter).  Loose long sleeves and a mosquito head net provide good protection without excessive bug spray that can harm the wildlife we want to see.

This event is open to all, please no pets.
Pay what you can, suggested $5 donation to support our environmental education programs.
Arrive between 7:30-8, hike departs promptly at 8.

Register here: https://forms.gle/rE3JawUGWhSBNmXc7
Call 901-878-1247 for more information.

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.
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