"Important Things"
Council Fire is the subject of this Blog’s “granular” look at camp life. We had our first Fire last night so the subject is fresh on my “sleep late Friday” mind and I have been struck by how much our Council Fire means to the camp community. For you to understand camp it is important that you at least get a sense of why we value Council Fire.
As I said in yesterday’s blog, Council Fire provides a chance for us to look at “important things”. To look back on the time that has passed at camp and to look forward to the time that is coming. This community is unique to this moment. Never again will this particular mix of people and place exist… we would be wise to take advantage of the opportunities before they are gone forever. But this is not all…
Council Fire provides a moment of connection with previous generations of Greystone Girls. It connects daughters to mothers and grandmothers who once were campers and counselors at Greystone many years ago. It connects the campers to our directors who have passed. These men and women once poured themselves into the campers and counselors of previous generations and now are happy members of that “cloud of witnesses” who will one day greet us when we receive our greatest reward. And Council Fire connects our community to the current directors, who would otherwise be primarily seen in a more mundane/less focused manner. This moment of connection is subtle but well understood by all.
Council Fire provides me a forum to talk honestly with the girls about meaningful subjects in a setting that is appropriate to the moment. There is something powerful about walking silently to a beautiful place that is only used for one purpose. This is why we are currently renovating out Council Fire area (a project that was put on hold due to the financial strain of the pandemic). Social distancing keeps us from this official Council Fire Ring but the Apple Hill Meadow has proven to be an effective alternative space in the meantime. The setting is glorious… the lake glistens in the early evening sunlight, the trees rustle with the breeze, and the fire itself is very grand (easily twice as big as “normal”). The walk from the pagent court follows the lakeshore and it is common to see turtles, geese, King Fishers, and Herons along the way. Green Cove is close enough to provide entertainment while we wait for the program to begin or when our minds wander. For all these reasons I give the Meadow a 9 out of 10 for a Council Fire setting.
Last night I shared a story that came from a June camper who wrote me a letter that only arrived yesterday afternoon. This girl wrote me of the difficult year that she had endured. About her difficult stage of life (entering high school) and her dream of making the cheerleading squad that was unexpectely crushed in May. Her identity had been tied to her position in the squad and losing that position was devastating in a way that is only understood fully by those who have experienced such rejection at that sensitive time of life. She was NOT excited about camp. Did NOT want to come, but saw the benefit of getting away for a while. She showed up on opening day ready to escape the neighborhood but not ready to have a good time. Camp gradually changed her attitude. She slowly bought into the Honor Code, going out of her way to be kind to others, take ownership of her actions, and to see the good in all circumstances. She found her heart softening. She was drawn out of herself and pulled toward her camp friends and toward Jesus. She found herself loving camp more than ever, much to her surprise. When she returned home she found a new optimism for the upcoming school year. She no longer identified as a cheerleader, which allowed her MANY ways to choose how to change her upcoming school years with an intentional plan in mind. She was excited about the change, connected to The Lord and grateful for her time at camp. She wrote a LONG letter expressing this to me and I was deeply moved.
Her story resonated with the girls, many of whom have experienced similar disappointments in their lives. The girls should know that the simple lessons of camp translate to the “real world” in a powerful way. Council Fire is the most effective forum for this message. No other setting would be the same.
Council Fire also allows us a chance to honor girls who are exceptional members of our community. The Spirit of Greystone award is the highest honor given at camp and we recognized about 40 girls last night immediately after the story. These girls stand out for their Kindness, Positive Attitude, and Personal Responsibility… they glorify God and have fun in the way that we all aspire to… they are known by their counselors and peers as quiet leaders, the kind of leaders who are often overlooked. We celebrate these girls and are blessed to have them in our community.
We also gave out a lot of activity awards for positive attitudes and enthusiasm in classes. Most of the awards were given to individuals, but many cabins were recognized as a group. It is wonderful when an entire cabin is so good they shine as one!
My Goodness… once again stumbled into a TMWDNR situation. Sorry.
- Breakfast Sleep Late Friday bagels and cream cheese assorted flavors, fruit, cereal, milk, juice… served in the cabin!
- Lunch Smoked Turkey Sandwiches
- Dinner Pot Roast
- EP Rotating Group Night #2… there will be one more of these next week. Same EP mix as Tuesday, but each group goes to a different area.
- Weather A bit muggy (humidity is back to a more normal 90%… ugh), warm, breezy, rest hour showers.
