2006 - 2010 Era

Our era was one of change, tradition, and revolution — literally.

2006 kicked off with “What About the Change?” — and oh, did we feel it. A director change mid-summer, programming shifts (some better left behind… some still alive today), and the birth of Villages: Water, Branch, and Fire. For the first time, we weren’t just cabins, we were tribes , something that is still a huge part of camp today!

2007’s “Live Out Loud” theme brought the return of beloved staff, a whole lot of energy, and the unforgettable “Malecutta” senior staff boys. Beaver took the reins, and camp felt like a true throwback — loud, fun, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Fr. Hank even made a return and fit right in!

By 2008, we were ready to “Dive In” with Big Tuna’s first year as director. This was when we really sorted out what mattered — the “Big T” traditions. Camp names, activities, songs, and bonfire classics like Purple Stew and the Bear Hunt stuck around, while some “little t” traditions quietly faded (RIP flagpole spot and hounds & hares). But our devotion to faith? Deeper than ever.

2009 was the “We Are” summer — more Steubenville students on staff, more Big Tuna goodness, and camp culture in full swing.

And 2010? A true Revolution. The chapel was built, solidifying the spiritual heart of camp we’d prayed for and poured ourselves into.

And let’s not forget: not every cabin had air conditioning. Back then, AC was still a luxury — the lucky few had it, the rest of us were bonding through box fans, sticky mattresses, and wondering if sleep deprivation counted as “offering it up.” We earned our stripes in sweat.

We may not have had the “first cabins” stories, but we carried camp through a pivotal time of growth and set the stage for what it is today: over 3,300 campers every summer, hundreds on staff, and still the same life-changing faith, fun, and friendship.

Now it’s our turn to “Live Out Loud” again. Join us for North Texas Giving Day as we pay it forward — raising funds for ropes course upgrades, waterfront fun, staff formation, and ensuring 10 full weeks of camp for the next generation. Rally your co-counselors, text your cabin mates, call your old Village, and let’s prove that 2006–2010 was the best era of Pines staff.

Because we are The Pines. This is our Revolution.And just like we did in those sweaty, half-air-conditioned cabins — we’re about to blow the rest of the eras out of the water.

-Chelsea "Pumbaa" Mechler Amelang

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Here are the prizes for this year's competition:

MOST MONEY RAISED: A limited-edition t-shirt with a design specific to your era, sold in the camp store. All donations over $50 receive a complimentary t-shirt.

MOST DONOR PARTICIPATION: A limited-edition sticker with a design specific to that era. All gifts over $25 receive a sticker.

ALL: Anyone who donates above $19.88 gets a special NTXGD Pines sticker.

May the best era win!