Joshua Pincus
Joshua Pincus was a camper for 8 summers and a CIT before serving on staff for another almost ten summers. Josh was the Waterfront Director for 5 summers and also served as Trip Director for a summer. Josh was a piece of the fabric of Birch Rock for almost 2 decades.
Contents
Life Before Birch Rock
In the early '80s there was a camper named Pittman Wallace who lived in Connecticut, just North of New York City. As a camp ambassador Pitt and his family did their best to recruit from the neighborhood. One such family was the Pincus'. Josh and his older brother Terence were off to camp.
Camper Years
Summer of 1986
When Josh arrived at camp in 1986 he was the youngest camper in camp and was a real spitfire. He had a tough Opening Day suffering from homesickness almost right away but the next morning a CIT named Mike Mattson sat next to him and just said hello. The two started chatting a bond was formed that would last all season and beyond. Josh spent most of the summer hanging out with Mike and at the end of the season he carved a thank you plaque for Mike in Woodshop. The piece of wood, an obvious scrap of old wood off the shop shelf, had a thank you note scratched into it. When Josh handed over the plaque in the Goodbye Line at the end of the summer, the two shed a tear with a warm goodbye hug. Josh's love for camp that season would turn into a major piece of his life over the next 20 years.
Summers of 1987-1993
Josh had many great experiences during his camper years. During his early summers he spent a lot of time with the lower camp gang just trying all the activities and exploring camp. He was an excellent swimmer, field guy and tennis player, but he also loved the boats and the campcraft stuff. He was another example of those all-around types of campers. Josh was well loved by the staff because he explored all the activities and therefore spent time with everyone.
During the summer of '88, Joshua came very close to being the camper to catch the Midnight Phantom in the act. He woke up and caught the Midnight Phantom with his flashlight he grabbed from the floor. The flashlight had been on Josh's trunk but now the trunk was gone and Josh in his tired state didn't even notice. The Midnight Phantom stood with Josh's trunk just outside the cabin and talked Josh back to sleep. Josh returned his flashlight to the floor and went back to bed. That night the Midnight Phantom had hit every cabin and yet Josh still had no idea who it was.
During one of his Upper Camper summers, Josh was the goalie for the BRC soccer team and played an awesome game. This was one of the last few Birch Rock vs Waganaki soccer games, a tradition that went on for many summers. Josh practiced the goalie position with Dave Jenkins a bunch leading up to the big game. Josh had a few epic deflections in that game.
His senior camper summer, Joshua swam his Whale which was certainly a proud moment in his camper life. He trained with his fellow senior campers, swimming triangle laps almost everyday.
CIT Year
Summer of 1994
Josh was a Counselor-in-Training with his long time camp friend CJ Nesher. The two went everywhere together that summer and for quite a few staff summers. Josh's talent all over the campus made him a highly useful CIT and the staff were fighting over who would get his support around campus. People were looking forward to seeing what this guy was going to do in his staff years.
Staff Years
Summers of 1995-1996
Josh taught soccer and swimming. He also spent one summer teaching the frisbee activity which included many rounds of frisbee golf with frisbees sailing all over campus. This was the first summer in a long time where everyone could truly enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee on the hill because Josh had taught a lot of campers how to throw a frisbee, a skill that seems to elude many children.
Summers of 1998-2003
After a few counselor years under his belt, Josh was ready to take charge of the waterfront, and he continued as the Waterfront Director for many summers. Josh also likely holds the record for the Waterfront Director responsible for the most long distance swims ever. Josh trained CITs to be lifeguards and campers to be skilled swimmers. Birch Rock would have him back on the waterfront anyday.
In 2001, Josh wanted a change and decided to give the trip leading thing a shot. It was a one summer thing. Although, I believe he enjoyed it, he really missed not being in house more often and returned to the waterfront in 2002 That year he built the lake side half of the counselor swim-tent with Ryno in the pre-season.
Plaque Work
The 1994 summer was Josh's first attempt at the plaques for the Lodge. He attempted to woodburn the letters after he carved them. The plaques were not exactly was Josh had hoped for and he swore he would do the plaques again some summer.
The 2002 plaques were Josh's second attempt at the plaques and he did a fabulous job. He was pleased but wanted to do them one more time.
During the 2003 season, the light in the woodshop was on almost every night. Josh spent many many hours working on the plaques and honestly the 2003 plaques are one of the best sets on the wall. Kudos to Josh for his hardwork!
Josh's Summers at the Rock
| Year | Cabin | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Hilton A | Camper | with Counselor ? |
| 1987 | Hilton B | Camper | with Counselor ? |
| 1988 | Cabin 1 | Camper | with Counselor Mike Mattson |
| 1989 | Camper | with Counselor ? | |
| 1990 | Eagle's Nest | Camper | with Counselor Dave Jenkins |
| 1991 | Camper | with Counselor ? | |
| 1992 | Camper | with Counselor ? | |
| 1993 | Cabin 8 | Senior Camper | with Counselor Mike Mattson |
| 1994 | Counselor-in-Training | with CIT Director Dave Jenkins | |
| 1995 | Cabin 1? | Junior Counselor | |
| 1996 | Cabin 4 | Counselor | |
| 1997 | skipped | foolish | ice cream truck summer? |
| 1998 | Waterfront Director | ||
| 1999 | Waterfront Director | ||
| 2000 | Eagle's Nest | Waterfront Director | with Counselor Jacobus Pietrse |
| 2001 | Trip Director | ||
| 2002 | Waterfront Director | ||
| 2003 | Waterfront Director |
Left to right: Brandon Murray, Josh Pincus, Dave Jenkins, and Ziggy Nesher
Josh in the early '90s, note the old lodge patio area
Josh had the prize cut this time, sorry Colin
Josh sent a hero piece he wrote when he was 8 to Mike Mattson. Mike has carried it in his wallet ever since.
