What's it Like to Have a Birthday at Camp?
Birthdays at camp are SO special!
If you’re lucky enough to celebrate a birthday at Greystone, you’ll have a party that day with your cabin (complete with a cookie cake and candles!), and the whole camp will sing to you. You’ll then get to be a special guest at the Birthday Ball that session - picture party favors, serendes, and a seat of honor at the Talent Show that night!
Birthdays have been a big deal at camp from the very first year, but what is it actually like to be at Greystone on your birthday? We’re continuing our series by talking to the people who know best - some of our Greystone birthday girls!
Read about their experiences below to get a peek at all the fun. Did you ever celebrate your birthday at Greystone? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Walker, Main Camper
When did you celebrate your birthday at camp?
I have celebrated my birthday at camp for 2 years now, and they are my best birthdays ever!
How did you feel about having a camp birthday before you came?
I had heard that camp birthdays were amazing, and I had been in previous cabins where my friends had a birthday, and it always looked amazing! I was a little nervous being away from my family for my birthday, but I knew I was going to be surrounded by my closest friends who would all love to celebrate me!
Tell us about having your birthday at camp!
Having a birthday at camp is so unique, and amazing. Your counselors and cabin mates will be so enthusiastic and at all of the meals that day you get to wear this massive birthday cake hat, and the whole camp sings to you! When you walk around throughout the day, everyone is so kind and wishes you happy birthday!
Was there anything that surprised you about having your birthday at camp?
Before my first time having my first day at camp, I did not realize how many people will tell you happy birthday and give you a hug! Everyone at Greystone is just so nice and people I didn’t even know told me happy birthday and gave me a hug, making the day even better!
Do you have any camp birthday stories to share?
Last summer, the summer of 2022, my birthday was my favorite day of camp! My birthday is July 12th, and that day we had a surprise do nothing day (which was amazing) and at lunch Jimboy announced Drew and Ellie were coming that night for a concert! I cried at lunch because I was so excited :)) Overall it was just the best day and my cabin, counselor, and everyone at camp made me feel so special and I loved celebrating with them!
Marley, June Camper
When did you celebrate your birthday at camp?
I celebrated my birthday day for the first time at June camp this past year.
How did you feel about having a camp birthday before you came?
I was a little nervous to be away from my parents during my birthday, but had always seen how Greystone went all out for birthdays during junior camp and was so excited!
Tell us about having your birthday at camp!
Well I woke up and my counselor gave me a birthday girl sash. We had a normal morning but, when we got to breakfast, our table had a balloon, party hats, a poster, and the best part, a big foam birthday hat! At lunch, your cabin gets the yummiest cookie cake and the whole camp sings happy birthday day to you! I loved most that everyone would say happy birthday to you even if they didn’t know you. (They could tell from the sash!)
Was there anything that surprised you about having your birthday at camp?
I was surprised when the whole camp sings to you, it can be a little embarrassing, but overall very fun!
What would you tell someone who knows they’ll be spending their birthday at camp next year?
If you are nervous about having your birthday at camp, don’t be! It is the best. You also get to go to the birthday ball. It is like a big birthday party. They decorate the dining hall and sing to you again. Also, you get front row seats to the camper talent show. You cabin will make you feel so loved in your birthday from telling you happy birthday right as Reveille blows in the morning and when taps blows at night.
Charlotte, Main Camper
When did you celebrate your birthday at camp?
I’ve celebrated my birthday for the past 3 years at Main Camp and will celebrate it this year again!
How did you feel about having a camp birthday before you came?
I was pretty worried about having my birthday at camp because I didn’t know what it was going to look like without my family and home friends being there. In the past, I’ve always spent my birthdays with my friends and family, and I wasn’t super excited for the change.
Tell us about having your birthday at camp!
Celebrating my birthday at camp is absolutely the best thing ever!! I always feel so celebrated and loved by the girls around me, and it is so special being with my friends I usually don’t see during the year on such a special day. The entire dining hall sings you happy birthday, and I can’t take the smile off my face!
Was there anything that surprised you about having your birthday at camp?
One thing that surprised me about having my birthday at camp was that everyone I passed during the day wished me a “happy birthday!” It didn’t matter if I was best friends with them or had never seen them before at camp, they all made an effort to celebrate me!
Do you have any camp birthday stories to share?
Last year, I got Covid before I came to camp and had to show up a few days late. Since my birthday is right at the beginning of the session, I had to miss my birthday, and I was devastated. I loved celebrating my birthday at camp, and it made me so sad that I was going to have to miss it.
But, while I was still at home with Covid, my whole cabin sent me a video singing happy birthday!! It made me cry! And when I eventually arrived at camp, I came in at lunch and surprised all my friends, and they treated me just as if it was my birthday! We got cookie cake, everyone sang happy birthday to me, and I felt so loved and welcomed!!
What would you tell someone who knows they’ll be spending their birthday at camp next year?
I know it can be super scary to be away from your family on your birthday, but a camp birthday is honestly so special!! You get to spend the day that’s dedicated to you at your favorite place with your favorite people, what more could you ask for!