Hot Daddy Hot

It’s here…

We awoke to a warm breeze. Ugh.

Normally the mountain temperatures drop into the low to mid 60’s, often cold enough to blanket the valley’s with a dense fog. Wisps of fog cling to the sides of the mountains, an effect that led the settlers to call the big mountains west of us “The Great Smokey’s”. Today is not normal summer heat… it’s ‘Hot Daddy, Hot’.

One of my friends emailed me last night asking what our plan for 101 temperatures was going to be. It brings up a very good point: how do we adjust to extraordinary weather at camp?

Weather is a big deal at camp. None of the buildings are air-conditioned (at least very few are air conditioned). When it is cold, the cabins are cold. When it is hot, the cabins are hot. When it rains, we get wet in our classes. These are the three variations on the weather that play out every day of the summer. While a high of 101 (if we reach it… my forecast shows the hottest day as Sunday at 99) is very hot, it is just another day. An opportunity to rise above our circumstance and look for the good! It is also an opportunity for us (as camp directors) to inject unexpected fun that meets the need. The record setting temperature for this day was set in 1935… Greystone was in session and my Great-Grandfather was running things. It is nice to think of the continuity!

We have installed misting stations on the roads that go through camp. Nothing like a refreshing walk through the mist to cool off. We are loading up on frozen treats to hand out at unexpected moments (a nice surprise is always appreciated). We have 12 water fountains spread throughout the camp (lovely stone water fountains conveniently located) and the classes will take frequent water breaks to have a drink and sit in the shade. The Health Hut has a Gator Aid station set up, we go through a ton of it every day and will no doubt drink more than normal. We have bought a lot of popsicles to hand out at surprise moments that seem appropriate… basically, camp goes on as normal but we add in a lot of water.

This current High pressure system will dominate our lives for a few days… it will certainly be memorable. These girls will always remember that they were at Greystone during the great heat wave of 2012!

Last nights EP was beyond spectacular: it combined a very specific game of “Hide and Seek” with a very complicated variation of “The Amazing Race”. Add in some water fights, then top it all off with a variation of a “Color Race”. It was really something! The pictures tell the story better than I can do it… my photographs ended as the sun went down (I started my uploads before the program ended)… so look at the other folders for the full story. The camp wide gathering at the track for a dance party at the end of the night was one of the coolest things we ever did! Some girls see Greystone in a whole different light now. The white t-shirts that the cabins decorated according to their cabin’s team idea will be treasured mementos of the summer. Good times.

I am writing this update from my house prior to reveille. Today is “Sleep Late Friday”, the best extra hour of sleep you will ever have. We let the girls sleep an hour longer then bring them breakfast in a bag to eat in their cabins. Morning Assembly will take place at the normal time and we are back on schedule! It is a huge morale boost for these girls (teen age campers; college age counselors… nuff said). This little boost will allow me to go down the hill to visit my friend “Jimmy Three Fingers” to make my annual purchase of fireworks.

I buy a truckload of fireworks, literally. When I enter the store, Jimmy’s eyes get wide with greed and I think he looks to heaven and says “Thank You”… baby will get that new pair of shoes indeed! This is in preparation for the big show on the 4th of July next week. It also gives me a chance to appreciate the cool mountain air (97 is cool compared to the 102 forecast in Greenville today). It also gives me a chance to listen to the radio and read about the Supreme Court rulings this week.

The “real world” has not even entered my mind for a month.

Now the facts:

Breakfast in Bed — sausage biscuits (freshly baked Huge biscuits), milk, cereal, juice.

Lunch — BLT’s!!! Thick cut bacon, South Carolina Tomatoes, Fresh Bread. YUM.

Dinner — Baked Potato Bar

EP — Opening Vespers. This is a lovely quiet program that takes place in the Pavilion. We hear the story of “The Keeper of the Flame” told by my mother. It is the same story my Great Grandfather told at this same program… a story of love and honor that has become known by campers as the “Linsey Woolsy” story (after the name of the fabric the young woman made for her wedding dress). We then recite our verses cabin by cabin, finishing the evening with the lighting of our candles and holding them high. It is a wonderful program, very simple, very touching. The girls love the fact that this program connects them with Greystone girls of years past and years yet to come. One of the really beautiful moments of the summer.

Thank you for reading. For praying. For sharing your girls!

Enjoy your day.

Jimboy