The PineCast

This week, we're excited to share a conversation with Pine Island Camp parent and current PIC Board member Bianca Bell. Bianca's sons attended—and later worked at—Pine Island from 2018 to 2025. She is a pediatrician in Atlanta, Georgia with Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Georgia. Bianca earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and has more than 20 years of experience caring for children. In addition to her involvement with Pine Island, she also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Jesse Parker Williams Foundation.
In this episode, Bianca reflects on her career in pediatrics, the impact Pine Island has had on her sons and her family, and why she believes summer camp experiences are so important for children. We talk about what it's like to send your kids away to camp for the first time, how a six-week commitment really feels as a parent, and why—despite the nerves—it's all worth it. We wrap up with a fun lightning round to close things out.
We're thrilled to continue bringing thoughtful guest conversations to the podcast in the months ahead. Please enjoy this in-depth conversation with Bianca Bell.

It's been a bit since we've done a normal episode with offseason updates, trivia, staff and camper shoutouts, and event announcements. Tune in for a quick episode and catch up on what has been going on in the world of Pine Island Camp!
As mentioned in the episode, our upcoming events are:
Thursday, February 12th: Boston Gathering
Wednesday, February 25th: Chevy Chase, MD Gathering
Saturday, February 28th: Winter Campfire in NYC!
Head to our website to RSVP for any of these events if you're able to make it!
As always, send your trivia answers and listener mailbag questions into the podcast by emailing Alex at [email protected] or Hannah at [email protected], and be sure to subscribe to the PineCast. Remember: Gracious Living is our Goal, and Pine Island Always Wins! Akka Lakka!

This week, we're excited to share a conversation with Pine Island alum and current PIC Board member Matt Kennard. Matt attended Pine Island as a camper from 1994 to 1998 and now serves as CEO of BetterLesson, a professional development and coaching organization created by teachers, for teachers. BetterLesson partners with K–12 districts to use resources more strategically, support student-centered classrooms, prepare students for college and careers, and strengthen instructional leadership.
In this episode, Matt reflects on his years at Pine Island and the lasting influence of the camp community on his personal and professional path. We explore his career journey, how camp experiences translate into college and career readiness, and why formative summer experiences matter deeply for child development. The conversation also ranges into making major life changes, the role of ancient societies in shaping modern community, and the enduring importance of male friendships. We wrap up with a quick lightning round!
We're excited to bring more guest conversations to the podcast in the months ahead. For now, enjoy this thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with Matt Kennard.

In this episode, we update listeners on what we've been up to; we give a fun fact about a high-speed activity we used to have at PIC (unbelievably); we give the answer to our trivia question about Sacred Animals and deliver a new trivia question; and we deliver a season's greetings message! Oh, and can't forget: staff and camper shout-outs!

As always, send your trivia answers and listener mailbag questions into the podcast by emailing Alex at [email protected] or Hannah at [email protected], and be sure to subscribe to the PineCast. Remember: Gracious Living is our Goal, and Pine Island Always Wins! Akka Lakka!

Today on the podcast, we do something a little different. Instead of our usual format, Alex reads a letter that we sent out, from him, to the broader Pine Island community in the spirit of Thanksgiving. This is an important time to practice gratitude, and in this letter Alex expresses many things for which he is grateful this season. If there are things from the Pine Island universe that bring you feelings of gratitude, reach out and share them! Send them to Alex, [email protected], or Hannah, [email protected]. We'd be happy to share them on the next episode of the PineCast!