As the campers were dismissed by cabin groups from the Pavilion after the Banquet Skit last night, they broke through big banners (one for each cabin) and ran through a final “royal reception” of cheering staff members. The unrestrained joy and exhuberance of that moment was beautiful. Really Beautiful!
It provided a bookend moment with Opening Day two weeks ago. The girls were uncertain how to respond to such a shocking display of support and love at that point of the summer. They walked through the cheering crowd with quizzical smiles on their lips and wide eyes that could not quite process everything that was going on. They suspected that they liked it here, but they didn’t want to show it! The campers were holding back… withholding judgement as they decided if they would fully engage in camp life.
Your campers adjusted well. They engaged in camp life without reservation. They brought a youthful exhuberance and unrestrained joy to an old camp… a very old camp.
Greystone is ninety eight years old. Some of the traditions have remained largely in tact (Vespers, Council Fire) others (most, in fact) have changed with the times… but the camper experience remains the same. Girls in 1920 grew up in the same wonderful ways as the girls of 2017. The evening programs today would have delighted the girls of 1920 in the same way. The classes would have astounded, the counselors inspired, the food enjoyed… and on closing day the parent and child reunions would have been just as joyous. Circumstances change with time but the experience remains the same. What a remarkable thing that is!
We are grateful for your support and encouragement. Words do not express how much we appreciate that you appreciate the simple message of camp. Many people don’t “get it”, and those people would never spend the money on such a thing. You took a gamble that all the hype was worth it and we hope that you now agree that your daughter experienced something wonderful this summer.
May God richly bless you and your family and keep you safely in the years to come.
With Love,
Jimboy