Nice Work
Yesterday’s Art Show was an inspiration and affirmation of a decade long attempt to make the fine arts program at camp truly significant. For many years we were too easily satisfied with the arts and crafts “trinkets” made by the girls. Crafts can mean almost anything and as I would see the girls driving out of camp clutching home made birdhouses and candlesticks, pride was not the first thing that came into my heart.
The simple expressions of creativity were delightful, but only in a way that was somewhat condescending. These were not creations that would be treasured by anyone other than a mother! Reason enough to do the projects, but I really wanted camp art to be good art. Our Lord is the Master Creator and we should create beautiful art when given the chance. So we buckled down and worked on building up a great arts program.
The Art Show made me very proud. Proud of the campers who created an absolutely stunning assembly of GREAT crafts projects, photographs, paintings, drawings, calligraphy, glass fusion, glass beads, metal jewelry, fabric arts, and ceramics. Almost every person in camp visited the Art Show and we all came away wishing we could purchase particular items. It was that good! I can’t wait for you to see what your girls have made!
We also had our big Riflery and Archery Tournaments, also wonderful exhibitions of remarkable talent. Marksmanship at this level is an inspiration.
Today we are enjoying the big Horse Show (about 200 campers are watching from the shade of the trees that line the show ring) and we will present a new trophy that will be in my mother’s honor. Libby is coming to the show and will LOVE seeing the girls ride and be very proud to present the trophy to the champion!
I will share a plane letter I wrote to the Program Staff and read to them last night… it is an example of what the girls are writing each other and from my heart. Kind of breaking the rules to read it before leaving camp (much less share with a bunch of strangers), but after writing you every day for months on end the restraint is gone. Read it if you like:
Dear Friends,
There was a day in Jesus’ life when He went to Martha’s house and Martha scurried about doing a ton of work that NEEDED to be done while Mary just sat and enjoyed hanging out with Jesus. This situation always struck me as unfair… life is full of stuff that needs to be done and camp is defined by this reality.
You have been our Martha and I am glad to count myself one of your number.
I too play a support role and enjoy the camaraderie that arises from the work. I liked tossing chairs to set up church in the pavilion 30 years ago and I like stacking benches on the side of the stage today. I liked sweeping the dining hall 30 years ago and I like sweeping and mopping the dining hall today. I like it all: carrying trunks, setting up sound systems, building fires, cleaning cobwebs, sorting lost and found, emptying trash cans, plunging toilets, chasing bats, and catching snakes.
These small tasks add up to make camp “shine”. The reward is not in the applause of the crowd but the cumulative effect on the crowd. Camp is better for these things and nobody has done them better.
You are my “soul mates” on staff. I relate to your camp experience in a way that I will never relate to a cabin counselor. I respect the way you laugh when you work, how the Pavilion benches are put out quickly and are perfectly spaced, how you walk patrol like a soldier, and how you make campers happy.
You represent the very best that Greystone has to offer these girls. They see Christ in your work, your joy draws them in does not fail to impress.
It is a privilege to serve with you and I am proud of the work we have accomplished in this, our 97th summer.
Thank you sounds trite, but those are the simple words that come to mind. Thank you very much… we made a good bunch of Martha’s this summer!
