Wednesday

Today will be the last of the overcast days this week. The sun comes out tomorrow and temperatures rise from the low 70’s today (kind of cool) to upper 70’s by the weekend (kind of perfect).

I mention weather first because that is the biggest, most obvious feeling of camp right now. This is a unique gift of camp: weather. Ours is a country that insulates from the climate in which we live. We sleep in climate controlled homes, drive in climate controlled vehicles, work in climate controlled offices, shop in climate controlled stores, and even exercise in climate controlled gyms. Many of our campers are NOT used to the impact of weather… they don’t know that they are learning this lesson (it happens in a deep un-noticed place), but I can see it on their faces. They look up and see a little blue sky peak out from a cloud filled sky and point. They feel the sun on their back and turn around as if to say “hi”. It is nice to appreciate things that are good but seldom noticed… a simple lesson of camp!

So at breakfast there were lots of sweat shirts and jackets. I let the girls know to expect the sun to come and go throughout the day, and to anticipate warming weather as the week goes on. They cheer at it all… for whatever the weather is, we enjoy it. Rain lets us play in mud puddles, wear rain boots, swim in warm water while cold drops sometimes hit our heads. Sun is always just around the corner and provides moments of delight throughout the day. Camp is a place where the weather is noticed… and it is delightful!

Began the day with a HEAPING platter of bacon, scrambled eggs, and that most Southern of traditions: Grits! If you don’t know grits, think “Polenta”. Grits are very easy to make, very easy to mess up… like a lot of great things. It takes skill to do them well, and Gervais has been making grits his entire life. I put some tobasco sauce on the whole plate of goodness and I was immediately transported to the happy place. Had to stop myself from eating the whole platter…

I am going to head up to the Fine Arts Center this morning to check out those classes for the first time this summer. I really love our arts programs at camp. We do some very extraordinary up there: it is real art being taught by real masters of their craft. Campers sometimes find a talent that was previously hidden. The light goes off and: WOW! The counselors sense the greatness, the campers sense the connection, and we all marvel that such a talent is in our camp. I am serious when I say that each summer I see artwork that is worthy of a gallery. Art that I would purchase without hesitation if I stumbled upon it in the “real world”. You will be impressed with what the girls bring home. You will want to put it in a safe place to enjoy a down the road… and some of you will proudly display it in a prime spot and it will inspire you every day.

These young girls are capable of amazing insight… I will share a little essay that a 10 year old wrote about camp for a school project (I get a lot of these sent to me by proud parents). A TEN YEAR OLD! Wow… it is titled The Bubble of Peace.

“The crystal clear lake water at Camp Greystone is as smooth as glass. In my white Adirondack chair, I spot storm colored geese honking as if at a party. On this cool summer morning, laughing girls slide off an extravagantly large slide into the murky, shimmering lake water, the surface now broken like the glass of a mirror. Oh! The brilliant music of the Pavilion echoing off the lake, sounding so exiting, I want to dance. The scent of freshly cut grass and blue, pink, purple, yellow, and red flowers is in the air. Their fragrance goes perfectly with the aroma of warm, buttery, rich slices of bread being prepared for the next meal. The fabulous taste of pancakes and sausage is still in my mouth from breakfast this pure morning. Cheerfulness stays in my mind and my heart as soon as I arrive and lingers long after I leave. When I am at Camp Greystone, a bubble of peace surrounds me.” Lucy, August Camper 2011

Jimboy