The 4th!
Happy 4th of July!
We love the 4th at Greystone. We love our country. This day is ALL ABOUT the USA! It begins with costumes and a decorated dining hall and ends with an old fashioned carnival and fireworks by the lake.
Todays Breakfast Club celebrated our country. We encouraged the girls to consider what a unique place this is… the sacrifices made in 1776 and the sacrifices that have maintained it through the years. I love this country. It is unique… not perfect by any standard, but it is certainly remarkable. I hope the girls found themselves appreciating what an amazing blessing it is to live here. It kind of choked me up at the moment… deep emotions are easily triggered at Main Camp.
We are all a bit subdued after the big Challenge Day yesterday. We were kind of wiped out by the very active morning, sunny skies, and hot temperatures. Yet the dining hall was rocking at breakfast (dancing and singing at the top of our voices various “American” themed songs). Morning Assembly was really quiet, the girls singing more quietly and not clapping as loudly. As I sit in my office it is evident that the volume level from classes is lower than normal. It is clear that the girls are reserving their energy for the “peak moments” that will mark this day. Mainly, the big Carnival and Fireworks Show that will mark the end of our holiday.
We are changing the whole Carnival experience in a way that the girls will love. The intent is to make it far more laid back… just like a real Carnival. We will open EVERYTHING at 6:00 (rather than first serving a picnic which is eaten in cabin groups). The Carnival has a giant “Food Court” with both “real” food (NC BBQ plates with slaw and corn bread, wood fired homemade pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, nacho’s, french fries hot from the fryer, corn on the cob, watermelon, popcorn… OK nacho’s and popcorn aren’t normall considered real food but at camp it is close enough). We also will be serving all the “Carnival Eats” that the girls love so much (Hawaii Ice, cookies with icing, Cotton Candy, and Funnel Cakes). We serve “unlimited seconds” of all “real food” and limit the girls to one of each of the “Carnival Eats”. Rides and food are all opened at the same time… making the entire night just feel very relaxed. We close the carnival with a dance contest at 8:00, then give the girla an hour to shower up and get ready for red white and blue popcycles by the lake while we watch the big fireworks show. What a party!
Last night’s Miss Greystone was a lot of fun. It was a longer EP, and we laughed a lot. It was nice just sitting together and watching the show… Georgia Lydon was crowned Miss Greystone (her theme of costume was the Frog and the Scorpion… very funny).
The sun is now shining and the girls are enjoying a perfect summer day at camp. We are having a blast.
- Breakfast was Waffles with Raspberries, Blue Berries, and Whipped Cream
- Lunch is Smoked Turkey sandwiches
Time is slipping by at an amazing pace. As I look at the camp calendar it is clear that it is going to be a very busy month. No prospect of a day off for two weeks… and I can’t imagine taking one. It is such a great place, so much joy and so much fun. Days fly by in a blur, marked by moments that warm the heart and delight the soul. The very definition of “the good life”.
Have a great holiday!
