Often, a third party opinion is helpful. I ALWAYS read reviews of hotels, houses, cars, schools, trucks, computers… anything that I am interested in: I read the review. We have put a place on our website to share comments (Greystone Matters ) and literally HUNDREDS of campers have contirbuted but only a couple of parents. While we get lots of letters, emails, phone calls, and personal visits from parents who say amazing things, we very seldom share them on the blog (it seems self serving and a little “braggy”). These two comments (coming less than 10 hours apart) just struck me as worth sharing. Read on if you like “reviews”.
From A First Year Parent of a June Camper: We have not had the chance to meet in person but I really wanted to write and thank you for amazing June Camp experience for our daughter Sophia. This was her first year ever at camp and at Greystone. In fact, we had never even set foot at camp before Opening Day. Our friends have sent their girls to Greystone for several years so we trusted them and decided to jump in when the opportunity came about. Sophia did not get accepted into June Camp until late March so it was quite the scramble to get her ready.
As the days grew closer I was excited but a little unsure how Sophia would be. She has only been away from home that long with family or very close friends. But just as God speaks to us everyday I heard a message loud and clear from Him the week before camp started when you wrote on your blog about the theme for the year – confidence. A peace fell over me because I knew this was the right time for Sophia to be at Greystone and God was going to work through her this summer. She is a very sweet and social girl, very well liked by her peers. So on the outside you would never guess that she struggles with inner confidence. We work so hard with her in school and on the soccer field to believe in herself, do her best, and not be too hard on herself when she doesn’t do something perfect. I was so proud of her on Opening Day as she sort of pushed us out of the door ready to tackle camp and all of its new experiences really not knowing more than 2-3 people! (This is why we did not get a chance to say hello to you during the reception…she was ready for us to leave and we did not want to delay the good bye!).
Her camp experience could not have been any more amazing. She tried new food, she made lots of new friends, she tried new activities, and really took in every moment of the entire camp experience. She is a different girl than we dropped off and I can literally see and feel a more confident young lady. In our post camp briefing I told her how proud I was of her for taking this whole experience “by the horns” and that if she can do that (most adults struggle with new environments and unfamiliar faces) she can do anything she sets her mind to. I cannot thank you and everyone at Greystone enough for this experience. I strongly believe this is a turning point for her as she enters the tween years and I could not be more thankful for the role models, values, experiences, and love that Greystone provides.
From a Long Time Main Camp Parent:
In Sandra’s excitement she left her toiletries behind. I didn’t notice until last night and since I was thankfully still in Hendersonville with at my Moms place, we drove over this afternoon to drop it off at camp. Even though I have been to Greystone many times through the years to drop off and pick up (Sandra is on year 8 and Catherine, year 6), it was the first time I saw Greystone “in action”!
Mom and I were only there a few minutes but we looked at each other in the car and just smiled. I teared up as I said, this is what the girls are talking about. We watched for a moment the girls on the tennis court and in the lake and heard the laughter. I mentioned to Mom how different it was from the hectic energy and excitement of opening and closing day. We were both overwhelmed! It was such a blessing to see these girls having the time of their lives and “in the moment” of Camp Greystone. There was a special peace from the whole experience. My girls talk about it often and how they feel “I’m where I should be” when they’re at camp. But for the first time in 8 years, I got to feel it too!! It was simply amazing and makes me so proud and happy to say I have Greystone Girls! I always knew I was sending my girls to a special place but today the Lord blessed me and let me feel it for myself.