Photo Credit: Chip Chockley Photography
Saturday Hikes with the Biologist
Discover the treasures of the forest at Pinecrest. Meet at the lodge. Wear hiking shoes or boots and bring water and snacks or lunch depending on the hike. In the event of inclement weather, we will reschedule. $5/per person.
Saturday, March 6 (rescheduled from Feb. 27) and Apr. 10 10 am – Noon Family Hike 1.5 miles Look for tracks, scat, and more!
Saturday, May 15 10 am – 1 pm Perimeter Hike 3 miles Explore the various forest communities and animals that call Pinecrest home. Look for tracks, scat, and signs of spring.
RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247
Spring Break Beginners Hike
Monday, March 8 10 am – Noon
Get out in the Great Outdoors! Learn about what to expect in nature, great places to hike at Pinecrest and nearby, hiking tips and etiquette, and how to just relax and have fun. Plan for about 2 miles and wear comfortable outdoor shoes or boots. Questions on how to prepare? Contact us at the information below.
$5 suggested donation per person
RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247
Open Gate Days!
March 8, 9, 12, 16, 18, and 31 2021
Pinecrest offers 450 acres of hiking trails, fields for frolicking, creeks to splash in, a playground under the pines, and rocking chairs for relaxing. Pinecrest Open-Gate Days are for you to maintain your spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Our guests should continue to comply with social distancing and face cover guidelines from our local government and the CDC so that we may continue to offer an essential service safely.
Please maintain wide social distance and etiquette according to CDC recommendations. Do not congregate or form a crowd. Wear your mask when around others and when indoors. If you feel sick, please remain home.
All buildings except Lodge Restrooms are closed.
No childcare available.
Dogs on leash welcome. Please clean up after your pet. No pets allowed at group programs.
Call 901-878-1247 for more information.
E-mail Charity@camppinecrest.org for details on Scavenger Hunts and Hiking Directions to Overlook.
Stories Told by the Creek
Tues. March 9 10 am – Noon
Tues. March 16 10 am – Noon
Weds. March 31 10 am -Noon
RSVP: Charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247
Trail Maintenance Mondays
Mondays: Feb. 15, Mar. 15, April 12, May 10
10am-Noon
Social-distance volunteer opportunity. We are smoothing trails, creating new trails, and clearing up and restoring old trails. We will also begin privet removal.
Choose from lighter work which involves brushing back plant material, clearing small debris, raking new trails.
Or choose to help with heavier work involving clearing larger materials, shoveling fill dirt, and excavating small areas.
Bring water! We can supply some tools, or bring your own loppers, trimmers, rake, or shovel.
RSVP: charity@camppinecrest.org or call 901-878-1247
Little Explorers
Friday, March 12 Log Life
Life abounds in the logs of the deep forest. We’ll carefully roll and dissect logs to find out who lives in, on, around, and under these super important habitats.
Friday, April 9 Caring for the Earth
Learn about plants that are good for West Tennessee and plants that are not good. Kids will become little stewards as we help to remove invasive plants and plant natives. Each child will plant native seeds to take home for their garden.
Friday, May 7 May Bouquets for Your Favorite Lady.
Learn about wildflowers, why they are important, and how to carefully select and create a beautiful bouquet made of natural materials. Share your floral creation with favorite lady.
$6/child, one adult helper free. Siblings welcome. $6/additional attendees age 4 and up.
Call 901-878-1247 for details. Click image to register.
Camping 101
Thursday, April 1 (check-in between 3-6 pm)– Friday, April 2 (check-out by 10 am Good Friday)
Welcome all first-timers! Experience the fun of a good old-fashioned campout with our skilled staff. We’ll help you set up your site, show you how to prepare meals, and just have fun. We’ll also enjoy a hike, stargazing, and a campfire with s’mores and stories. Campers will receive a list of required gear and how to prepare.
$25 adults, $20 children. Includes dinner, s’mores, and breakfast.
Register online: https://pinecrest.campbrainregistration.com
Call 901-878-1247 for more information.
Wilderness First Aid Course – At Capacity, Waitlist Available
April 24-25 2021 8 am – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday
Prepare for the unexpected with this engaging, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, taught over two days. If you like to take short trips relatively close to medical resources, work at wilderness camps, enjoy weekend family outdoor activities, or recreate outdoors, this course is for you. COVID-19 guidelines in place for all in-person trainings as required by Landmark Learning and local governments.
Ages 16 and up Early Bird $240/person through March 28. $260/person after March 28, 2021
Hike and Journal
Spring Edition~ Weds. April 28 10 am – 12 pm (Register by April 26)
Geared for Adults and Homeschool Students 8th Grade and Up
What We’ll Do: We’ll guide a hike to various trails and enjoy a sampling of nature journaling exercises. Each day will include time for practicing various ways to observe, record, and interpret observations. A combination of words, pictures, and number representations will be explored using both group and individual activities. We will also practice activities for personal connection and reflection. Great for students of all ages to observe systems of nature, notice patterns and phenomenon, and simply develop a greater appreciation of the natural world paired with our place in it.
What to Bring: Journal (anything goes!), any preferred media or personal observation tools like binoculars, magnifiers, etc.
We’ll Supply: Pencils, colored pencils and additional media as needed, observation tools.
$10/person. Call 901-878-1247 for details. Click image to register.
Hunt for the Blue Ghost
Become a firefly scientist as we look for the unique Blue Ghost (Phausis reticulata). This unique firefly has not officially been recorded in the area, yet there have been several unofficial sightings. The Blue Ghost is only active as an adult for about one week in early May and we hope to make observations of this and other Lampyridae (firefly) species through collection, photography, and field notes that will then be shared to researchers.
• 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.
• Recommended ages 15 and up. Detailed research is our main goal. A short information session will begin our evening.
• 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.
Firefly Drive-In
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.
Tennessee Naturalist Program
TBD 2021 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Tennessee Naturalist Program participants must complete a training course of 40 hours instruction and 40 hours of volunteer service in approved activities to receive certification. Graduates join a corps of Tennessee Naturalist volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the appreciation, understanding, and beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. There will be several off-site dates plus one evening program TBD. This program includes 40 hours of instruction, student materials, and some lunches.
Fee: $250 Charity@camppinecrest.org or 901.878.1247
Play in the Pines
TBD, 2021 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
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
Plenty in the Pines
Thursday, November 26 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 19 amanda@camppinecrest.org or 901.878.1247
Christmas Camp
Sunday, December 20-21 3:00pm-3:00pm
24 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! It’s $110 which also gets you a pair of limited edition PINECREST PJ PANTS!
Register by December 10 to guarantee your size.
Registration opens in November.
Presbyterian Youth Connection Retreat
Feb. 2021 Dates 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 Lucygc@bellsouth.net to register.
