When Back-to-School Doesn't Feel Like it Should

The school season is kicking off for the year, and let me guess – it’s not looking the way you thought it would. Whether you are virtually learning from home, going into school only a few days a week, or back in school for a full 5 days, things have definitely changed. Nothing about this school year looks like it did last school year.

What’s a Greystone girl (or Greystone mom) to do?

I think if any group of people can be ready for this school year and the challenges ahead, it is our Greystone community. The skills we’ve been teaching at camp for years are going to pay off BIG time.

You campers know how to do this and have experience trying out these skills every summer at camp…for example:

• Dealing with unknown situations: like meeting a cabin full of girls you may not know.
• Rolling with the unexpected: when we have a rainstorm during an outside EP.
• Trying something new even when you may not like it: how about that Greystone bite of eggs benedict?
• Seeing the good even when things don’t go your way: such as finding out your team didn’t win Challenge Day.
• Meeting new people in different types of situations: that first time in your cabin, at your table, in a class…we’re used to it!

Campers at Greystone have experience doing so many of the things that you are going to face this school year. It makes the camp experience invaluable right now! While so many parts of your fall may not be as you expected, remember that you are prepared and ready for this…you’ve been training for the start of this school year almost every summer for years!

As you are getting ready for school, remember these things you’ve learned at camp:

1. Remember whose you are. As we tell you in Morning Assembly and nightly devotions almost every single day, you are a child of God, dearly loved and cared for…even and especially during these weird times.
2. Remember who loves you. You have supportive families, great camp friends, and even your camp director family who loves you dearly. This big net of support is out there thinking of you and praying for you.
3. Remember that you’re a pro. While this school year is new, you’ve experienced many of the same feelings or situations (in different ways) at camp. If you’re nervous or lonely or unsure, remember that you’ve probably already done/seen/experienced whatever you’re facing sometime before when you were at camp.
4. Remember to see the donut and not the hole. It’s easy to focus on what you’re missing out on right now, but why not name what you do have? I bet you could come up with 10+ things that are so very good in your life right now.

We’re cheering you on from Tuxedo, no matter what your school situation may look like right now. If you need extra love or support, or even just a friend to talk to, your Greystone family is here. Get in touch with one of us – we would love to be that friend for you.

You’ve got this!!!

And P.S., don’t forget to celebrate Greystone-style sometime at the start of this school year. We love a good theme event, so why not kick off your back to school with a fun family theme night, a late-night weekend movie, or a special Sunday sugary cereal breakfast – celebrate your success of starting this crazy year!