The Dreaded Homesick Letter

Camp is the kind of experience that grows on the campers that live here. For the first week, we adjust to our new surroundings. The bugles and bells are not yet a part of our “comfort zone” and can sometimes be surprising (especially reveille at 7:30 in the morning!). The lack of computers and the abundance of people takes time… as does the quiet (most of us do not have quiet times built into our days… I might suggest you adjust your daily routine to include such moments!). All these things, and more, take us a few days before they are comfortable as an old shoe. Now is the adjustment time of camp and there might be some uncomfortable moments.

This is not to say camp is bad in any way. It is actually quite wonderful! There are SO MANY people who absolutely love camp and all of it’s details, we all get carried along in the wave of enthusiasm of the first days. There is a palpable feeling of happiness (in the dining hall, in the pavilion, in classes… it really feels great). Camp is fun, but it also takes time for some of us (campers and counselors alike) to get fully connected to our new circumstances.

Thus it is possible that you will get a sad letter. Prepare your heart to read such a letter with the confidence that such feelings are normal in the first week of camp. I mentioned quiet times as a wonderful but sometimes difficult aspect of the camp day. It is possible (perhaps likely) that you will get to share this good gift with your camper by way of their hand written letters home.

As the girls lie on their bunk for rest hour, they have time to think. Their thoughts will turn to you and those thoughts might make them a bit sad. Processing this feeling with a heart-felt letter that pours out poignant emotion in a run-on torrent is a great way to make themselves feel better, but it transfers the burden to your shoulders!

Such letters are precious. Margaret and I have gotten them from all of our children and we treasure them to this day. We knew to expect such letters and when they arrived, we did not worry very much. I wrote my parents the same kind of letters 40 years ago.

Adjusting to camp is a very positive life skill. It builds character, confidence, and gives a great sense of accomplishment. You will see the impact on closing day. We encourage the girls to adjust to camp in a healthy way, and we help them build those skills. Their counselors, the group leaders, and even other campers help in this process. It is a process founded in love and in building a positive attitude toward all of the hard things that life presents. Almost every camper builds these skills in a healthy way and we see such growth as a very normal and good aspect of their camp experience. Some (a very small number…) need speclal help.

If your camper is having a hard time and we think that her experience is not good, we immediately call you. We want to give you a “heads up” and seek your input and guidance. Your insights confirm our plans or put us on the right path to a successful adjustment to camp. You will be a part of the process if things are not working… but rest assured. It is rare that a camper truly has an unhealthy adjustment to camp. It is extreemly rare that a camper actually leaves camp due to homesickness. One or two in a summer is about average (out of 1,850 campers!!!). We are very good at this. You can trust us!

So… steel yourselves. If you are worried, email or call your girl’s group leader and we will get you a full report. But also feel free to trust us to take care of everything. We are on the same page as you: wanting to provide the best life experience possible. We want to make this a summer to remember, something that God uses for Glory! We are in this together and it is going to be an amazing ride.

Weather update: Today will be the hottest day of the summer so far (possibly of the entire summer). Projected high of 91 degrees is the highest temperature anticipated this year. The heat will not feel quite as hot due to a drop in humidity (yesterday the humidity was almost 100% making it feel hotter than it actually was). We will be loving the ice huts today and will serve a surprise ice pop treat after rest hour. The temperature will drop over the next couple of days (high projected for Saturday is 78 degrees!). Don’t feel sorry for us!

Thank you very much for reading and for caring. It is a Great Day at Greystone.