Turner attended his very first overnight camp at Pine Cove, and I'm excited to share with you his experience and the opportunities they have for kids AND parents! I also have a $250 coupon at the end of this post to use for your child's first week. This post is sponsored but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What is Pine Cove?
Pine Cove is a Christian camp with locations in Texas, South Carolina and Georgia. Founded in 1968, Pine Cove serves more than 40,000 campers each summer and strives to be Christ-centered, other-focused, and seriously fun! I knew about Pine Cove in college when I attended Hardin-Simmons University and many of my friends were counselors. My husband, Alex, was a family camp counselor and was one of the big reasons I knew so much about Pine Cove.
Pine Cove is a Christian camp with locations in Texas, South Carolina and Georgia. Founded in 1968, Pine Cove serves more than 40,000 campers each summer and strives to be Christ-centered, other-focused, and seriously fun! I knew about Pine Cove in college when I attended Hardin-Simmons University and many of my friends were counselors. My husband, Alex, was a family camp counselor and was one of the big reasons I knew so much about Pine Cove.
What types of camps do they offer?
Pine Cove offers overnight camps for 1-2 weeks, day camps in select cities, and family camps. Ever heard of family camp? The whole family attends and every little detail of your week is taken care of by Pine Cove's fun-obsessed, Jesus-loving staff. From prepared meals, to engaging (and very intentional) activities, to the A+ accommodations that you won't want to leave. I think this would be an awesome way to grow your faith as a family while fortifying family bonds.
Pine Cove offers overnight camps for 1-2 weeks, day camps in select cities, and family camps. Ever heard of family camp? The whole family attends and every little detail of your week is taken care of by Pine Cove's fun-obsessed, Jesus-loving staff. From prepared meals, to engaging (and very intentional) activities, to the A+ accommodations that you won't want to leave. I think this would be an awesome way to grow your faith as a family while fortifying family bonds.
Where is it located?
The original camp was founded in Tyler, TX but they have additional locations in Columbus, TX (less than 2 hours from Austin), Westminster, South Carolina and their newest location in Georgia.
The original camp was founded in Tyler, TX but they have additional locations in Columbus, TX (less than 2 hours from Austin), Westminster, South Carolina and their newest location in Georgia.
What ages can attend?
Pine Cove offers overnight camps for kids entering 2nd through 12th grade. I really like the fact that they separate kids up by a few select grades.
Pine Cove offers overnight camps for kids entering 2nd through 12th grade. I really like the fact that they separate kids up by a few select grades.
In Central Texas (Columbus) they offer the following overnight camps:
Camp Silverado - Grades 2-5
Camp Outback - Grades 6-8
Camp Ridge - Grades 9-12
Check out a list of all the camps they have to offer here!
What do campers do all week?
Each day is jam packed with water activities, bible studies, and more! Here are a few of the activities Turner participated in.
Each day is jam packed with water activities, bible studies, and more! Here are a few of the activities Turner participated in.
- Horseback riding
- Fishing
- The blob
- Archery
- Dunking court
- Gaga Ball
- Water Zipline
- Hiking
- Pool with a slide and diving board
- Theme nights: Every night there is a fun theme and tons of activities surrounding it. I packed fun outfits for Turner to dress up for each theme, which I would have loved to have done as a kid. You know I go all out with costumes and Turner is no different!
What is the camper to counselor ratio?
It's usually 7-8 campers to 1 counselor. Campers stay in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned cabins. There were 4 bunk beds in Turner's cabin, and I brought sheets for his bed. If you have friend's kids you're sending your child with they can request to be in the same cabin.
It's usually 7-8 campers to 1 counselor. Campers stay in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned cabins. There were 4 bunk beds in Turner's cabin, and I brought sheets for his bed. If you have friend's kids you're sending your child with they can request to be in the same cabin.
The counselors and staff at Pine Cove have a simple goal: to help kids and families connect with Jesus. The staff is an energetic, genuine, and caring team of college students who are passionate about serving each child. Pine Cove completes an intensive search, interview process, and thorough training. I met Turner's counselor as soon as we entered his cabin and we chatted about where he attended college and what he was hoping to do after graduation. He was extremely kind and genuine. It can be hard leaving your child in the care of someone you've never met, but I had confidence in Pine Cove and the counselors they hand selected.
What does it cost?
Overnight camps range from $950 - $1,350, and family camps range from $3,880 - $4,600 based on the amount of family members and accommodations (kids under 2 are free). Pine Cove does offer financial assistance and scholarships for individual children and families. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to attend camp. Day camps cost $290-$310 per week, and are hosted at local churches with Pine Cove staff. You can search here for a day camp near you!
Overnight camps range from $950 - $1,350, and family camps range from $3,880 - $4,600 based on the amount of family members and accommodations (kids under 2 are free). Pine Cove does offer financial assistance and scholarships for individual children and families. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to attend camp. Day camps cost $290-$310 per week, and are hosted at local churches with Pine Cove staff. You can search here for a day camp near you!
Turner's Experience:
He absolutely LOVED it! I picked him up and he wouldn't stop talking about camp for the first hour on our drive home, and then he fell asleep. He raved about all the activities and enjoyed shopping at the camp store. I was able to keep up with Turner throughout the week through Pine Cove's camp app. Pictures were posted daily and I was able to send digital letters his counselor read to him. Turner even wrote me back saying he was having a great time! I was able to load money in to the app for him to shop at the camp store, which I learned the hard way to ration the daily amount I give him because this kid loves to shop and depleted $60 in 2 days 😂. He bought a baseball cap, chapstick, fanny pack, sunglasses, mini tooth-brush, coffee cup and other fun things. He raved about his counselor and made great friends with his bunkmates. He enjoyed the food and Pine Cove makes sure even the pickiest eaters have great meals throughout their stay. Check out their food menu here!
When I ask if he wants to go back next year his eyes get huge and he replies, "YES!", and he wants to go for two weeks next time. After camp Pine Cove gives parents an option to automatically enroll for next summer, and they draft out a monthly amount that goes towards next years camp tuition. I think this is a great way to break up the cost.
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