Jun 25, 2013 by Jimboy

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A Good Start

How important is a good start for a good ending?

In the case of camp, a good start is essential for it affirms the high expectations of opening day. For almost a year, and sometimes more than a year because of the wait list, campers have built up this experience. They dream of every detail of their camp experience… and many of those details will only be fully realized after our community gels (a process that takes about a week). This first day of classes gives us a chance to knock the expectations ball deep into the outfield, we should be able to provide a few home run moments over the course of the day.

At camp, classes are one of the building blocks of the perfect summer. What we do all day matters… teenagers demand excellence in their activities: if a class does not deliver a solid experience on the first day, campers respond accordingly. They drop that class without a moment’s hesitation! The first days of camp are spent dropping some classes and replacing them with other classes. Competition for campers is a part of what our Departments do… counselors are keen for their class to be the one class that EVERY camper wants to take. The pride of an abundance of campers is evident in many counselors today.

A few observations from the opening day class sign ups and the pressure they bring to the counselors today:

  • Cake Decorating… this is a new class that is offered for older girls (who have aged out of cooking class). We knew it woud be popular so we set it up to handle 23 campers per class… it averages about that number (a huge home run for a first year class and also a huge challenge for the counselors to deliver on that high expectation).
  • Track… I was shocked to see that track is now hugely popular (especially in the first period class). Running? Last year was a very successful year for track class, the sign ups yesterday just build on that momentum and surprise me to no end.
  • Synchronized Swimming… a Greystone tradition that has become one of the most popular class to take for older girls. It is a HUGE workout in a fabulous facility with a critical mass of “cool people“… it is THE place to be.
  • Diving… most campers do not come to camp with this skill, they learn it correctly while here and often join diving teams when they go home. Our first Division One scholarship has not yet occurred, but I hope to see it in the next 10 years… this is a skill that will pay dividends for a lifetime.
  • Riflery… HUGELY popular at camp, will the girls like the new air rifles which replaced the .22’s due to ammo shortages (more on that later)? I bet they do. The June Campers LOVED them, shooting better than we have ever had June Campers shoot. Main Campers will really tell the tale, we have enough ammo to allow girls to choose between the .22 or the air rifle… I bet they choose the air rifles!
  • Metal Jewelry… a class that I am VERY proud of, a class that provides sterling silver jewelry that is cherished as a personal treasure for generations. Nice knowing that these rings, necklaces, bracelets, and key chains will be handed down to children and grand children 20 to 50 years from now. Major skills taught by a major artist with quality effect. It is good.
  • Glass Beads… Unique to Greystone, our 20 lamp stations are a wonder to behold. The girls learn how to melt glass rods and turn them into glass beads. Color, shape, texture… all are a part of the art. These too are treasures and the skill can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

The list goes on. We offer about 60 classes, each one of them is excellent and each one must inspire their campers today and tomorrow (with an every other day schedule, tomorrow is a “first day” as well).

After today and tomorrow the girls will be MUCH more settled. They will feel affirmed in their activity schedules, they will feel the love of their cabin counselors, they will feel the warmth of their fellow campers (in the cabin, at the dining room table, in the pavilion, and in the classes). It is an important process. I am confident of the outcome!

Weather today: 83 degree high, scattered clouds, chance of rain. Duplicate this forecast about 5 weeks… this is standard camp weather around here and we love it.

Breakfast was our traditional home made buttermilk biscuits, fried ham, fried apples, grits… YUM. We also serve an AMAZING fruit and berry bar, complete with Greek Yogurt, home made Granola, and steel cut oatmeal.

Lunch today is Poppy Seed Chicken (a hearty and sweet shredded chicken dish that is a favorite of the campers) Dinner is Laura’s Pork Chops (thick cut pork chops pan fried then slow roasted till tender… served with a rich gravy and roasted potatoes and carrots)… and KEY LIME PIE! Our Pastry Chef (yup, we got one) is putting all baked goods “over the top” this year. Greystone bread has always been famous… how to make it better? I don’t know but Mallory does! Your girls are eating well.

EP (evening program) tonight will be the Tentalow Lip Synchs. Every Tentalow will have every camper and counselor on stage performing in front of a screaming audience of fans. It is an amazing group bonding experience. Cabin girls go tomorrow.

Sorry for the lengthy update. Got carried away.

Jimboy

PS The Joke from Breakfast Club today: A blonde woman (at camp we use “Converse Girl”… Laura went to Converse, thus the “complement”) is watching the news with her husband. The news anchor says “Now from the International news: There was a terrible accident in Rio de Jenerio today. Five Brazilian parachutists died when their parachutes did not open, plunging to their deaths at an air show witnessed by a large crowd.” The woman burst into tears and was inconsolable. Her husband tried to comfort her but even so it took a long time for her to gain control again. Later he asked her why she reacted so strongly and she replied… “It’s just so tragic… so many people!” then she asked: “HONEY, HOW MANY IS A BRAZILIAN?”