Countdown to the 100th: the 1940s
Welcome back to our monthly Countdown to our 100th celebration as we take a special look at the 1940s. The 1940s may be my favorite decade of them all as SO MANY cool things happened during this decade. If you like history (even just a little bit), you’re going to love these cool camp facts, like how Greystone dealt with World War II, the polio epedimic, and more. Right when camp started seeing growth after the Great Depression, World War II began; I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be the Directors of Greystone during this time! But through it all, God blessed and continued to take care of Greystone through 1940s.
Ready to learn some really cool things about camp?!
Changes at camp in the 1940s during World War II:
During WWII, campers helped the war effort in the following ways:
- Parents were asked to send ration stamps with their campers.
- Dr. Sevier built a Victory Garden down by Lake Edith.
- Staff encouraged campers to not waste any food at meals.
- Girls participated in a local drive to pick beans during a labor shortage.
- Campers used $1311.35 of their Store money to buy war bonds to support the troops.
- Riflery bullets were often in short supply.
- Campers enrolled in a physical fitness class that included an obstacle course, marching drills, calisthenics, and rope climbing.
- Campers enjoyed a defense Evening Program, where girls were divided into four teams, such as Team Marines.
War Ends on Banquet Day
WWII finally ended in 1945 on Banquet Day. Campers were thrilled to hear that the war was officially over, but many commented that they were more excited to find out the Banquet theme!
Team Competition
Campers in the 1940s loved the Odd vs. Even competition, making for a fierce, but friendly, summer rivalry. Much like campers today, girls in the 1940s could earn points for cabin cleanliness, as cabins were inspected twice daily. Girls could also pick up trash as part of the White Wing, earning points by picking up the most trash around camp.
Unlike today, campers in the 1940s earned points for walking…Greystone’s swim docks moved a mile down the road from camp, and it was difficult to transport all campers by bus for the Watersports Day competition. Each camper that walked from camp to the docks received points for her team.
First Odd vs. Even Tie: 1940 Score: 1912 to 1912
Favorite 1940s Evening Programs
- Stunt Night
- Square Dance
- Odds vs. Evens Basketball Game
- Quiz Program and “Shadow Party”
- Dance Nights (all girl dances and boy-girl dances)
- Book Night
Did you know?
- In the 1940s, Greystone switched from having a live bugler play all of the bugles to having all bugles played on a 78-rpm record over the loudspeaker.
- Campers loved taking a Flower Arranging class during the summer.
- Greystone enacted a Polio Quarantine during the summers of 1944 and 1948. No one was allowed to enter or leave Greystone. Deliveries had to be left at the front gate.
- Camp celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1944. The Green and Gold awards booklet had a silver cover that summer to celebrate the Silver Anniversary.
- Director Virginia Hanna kept a 3” x 5” note card on all campers as her camp database system. She would update these cards with addresses and notes on the family.
- Tentalow row was known as the “Fifth Avenue of Greystone” during the 1940s.
- Many popular songs were written in the 1940s, including Greystone Is The Very Place For Sweet Young Girls to Go, Are You From Greystone?, My Ma Sent Me To Camp, and Mrs. Hanna’s Song.
“I will never forget turning thirteen at Greystone August 21, 1947 and getting permission from home to shave my legs. Big deal then! Had to wait until [age] sixteen to wear lipstick.” Nancy Wainer
Virginia Sevier Hanna Takes Over as Director
In October of 1944, Dr. Sevier passed away, and everyone within the Greystone community questioned what would happen to camp. In the 1940s, it was very unusual for a woman to work outside of the home, let alone own and run a business. However, Virginia had a great desire to follow in her father’s footsteps. Her husband Joe recommended that Virginia sell the business, but she was determined to do whatever was necessary to keep Greystone open. Virginia secured a short-term loan in 1945; thereafter, she operated Greystone debt-free. Virginia continued as Director until her passing in 1988.
