Week Two of Session Three Is in Full Swing!
Camp came alive at 7:30 a.m. as the morning bell rang following a restful weekend. Campers eagerly got out of bed, completed their daily cabin chores, and packed their backpacks with everything they would need for the day. By this point in the session, these morning routines have become second nature, highlighting just how responsible and independent our campers have become. Before long, the bell rang again at 8:15 a.m., calling everyone to the dining hall for a family-style breakfast.
This morning’s breakfast featured French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, sausage, cereal, and fresh fruit—plenty of delicious fuel to prepare everyone for another exciting day at Camp Pinnacle!
After breakfast, we returned to one of our favorite daily traditions: Lakeside, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Every morning, cabins gather at Wolfe Lake to start the day together as a community. Before announcements begin, one cabin from each cohort performs a creative roll call to let everyone know they have arrived safely. These performances are always filled with enthusiasm, teamwork, and plenty of laughter. It’s incredible to watch the creativity and camaraderie within each cabin grow stronger with every passing day.
Each morning, cabins also have the chance to win one of camp’s most coveted prizes—BOSS (Bag Of Some Stuff). After taking excellent care of BOSS, yesterday’s winners, Tuckasegee, proudly returned it for a new cabin to enjoy. Congratulations to Panthertown, who earned today’s BOSS through their outstanding roll call!
Lakeside is also an opportunity to recognize campers who consistently demonstrate Camp Pinnacle’s 5 R’s. Every camper has the opportunity to earn their camp hat by showing growth through these values, but some individuals go above and beyond each day. These campers are honored by placing their handprint on the CP 5R Staff, recognizing their exceptional leadership and positive influence within our community. Congratulations to one of our campers from Eagle Rock, whose kindness, responsibility, and positive attitude continue to inspire those around them.
As most campers headed off to another full day of scheduled activities, our first-year Wolfe Pack members were preparing for one of the biggest milestones of their program—their self-led backpacking trip. The Wolfe Pack program is designed to develop leadership skills in our high school campers, and this adventure allows them to put those skills into practice. By planning routes, making decisions, managing time, solving problems, and working together as a team, these campers gain valuable confidence and resilience while completing their three-day backpacking expedition. Although they lead the experience themselves, they are supported from a distance by one of our trip leaders, the Head of Wolfe Pack, and their two counselors.
The morning flew by, and before we knew it, the clocks struck 12:30 p.m.—time for lunch! Today’s buffet featured hot dogs and hamburgers served alongside macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw, giving everyone another chance to refuel before an action-packed afternoon.
The WolfePack wasn’t the only group heading off camp today. Our Otter and Bear cabins, the oldest camper cabins, also enjoyed exciting Explorer Trips. These one-day adventures give campers the opportunity to experience new activities beyond camp while spending quality time with our trip leaders and counselors. Campers could choose from mountain biking, kite flying, canoeing, mountain snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, disc golf, or testing their culinary talents during Top Chef. Everyone returned to camp just in time for dinner, tired but smiling after a day filled with adventure and unforgettable memories.
At 6:30 p.m., the dinner bell called everyone together once again for another family-style meal. Tonight’s menu included homemade meatballs with tomato sauce, spaghetti, broccoli, and warm garlic knots, followed by a delicious serving of classic tiramisu for dessert. Every meal at Camp Pinnacle—whether served family-style or buffet-style—is lovingly prepared by our incredible kitchen team. Their hard work helps keep everyone energized throughout the day, and we are so grateful for everything they do for our camp community.
This evening featured two exciting programs for our campers.
Our youngest campers—Squirrels, Chipmunks, Coyotes, and Honey Badgers—spent the evening playing one of camp’s favorite games: Cat Flags! Campers competed with their Pinnacle Cup color teams in a game similar to Capture the Flag, except instead of flags, they were searching for cats. Teams raced across the field to capture all three cats, earning valuable points toward the overall Pinnacle Cup standings. The field was filled with cheering, teamwork, and plenty of excitement from start to finish.
Meanwhile, our Otters, Bears, and Wolfe Pack cabins gathered for an evening of square dancing. This tradition is always a highlight for our oldest campers, bringing together friends from both Hillside and Village while learning new dance moves, sharing laughs, and creating lasting memories. The evening was full of energy, smiles, and new friendships, once again demonstrating the incredible sense of community that makes Camp Pinnacle so special.
As another beautiful evening settled over Camp Pinnacle, campers returned to their cabins for Evening Circle, where they reflected on the day’s adventures with their cabinmates before preparing for bed.
With another unforgettable day coming to a close, everyone drifted off to sleep wondering what exciting adventures tomorrow will bring!
