Age Limits At Camp

Occasionally a blog is helpful to answer a common question. One of the big ones is why we do not allow older girls at shorter sessions. Obviously, this is a reasonable question and will be on your mind when you contemplate a possible return to camp next summer.

Junior Camp cuts off at 4th grade (rising 5th graders), June at 7th (rising 8th graders), and August at 6th grade. Main Camp goes all the way to 11th grade (rising 12th graders)… a big difference! If we do camp for all age groups, why the limits at shorter sessions? It might appear to be unfair, it is certainly less affordable and harder to fit into busy summer plans. You wonder: Why can’t older girls come back to June Camp?

We understand your perspective and want you to know that this is not an arbitrary policy. Our age limits come from our experience (what worked and what didn’t work in years past) and our commitment to doing the best we can for the girls growth. Age limits directly impact the camper experience and each session’s limits have been set based on what works best in that particular setting. A little history is helpful here…

For about 50 years, Greystone offered only one session. Seven weeks, grades 1-11. In 1973 we added a three-week session that parents considered a “starter camp”. The session proved very popular and about 10 years later we added a 2 week camp for grades 1-7. While camp was doing well, it seldom filled until March or April. While campers loved camp, they did not re-enroll in massive numbers. It was a very good camp that was beloved by many but did not resonate as we knew it could. Something was off.

Believe it or not, a big part of the problem was the age composition of the camp community. At Main Camp, our oldest campers are rising 12th graders - SUPER COOL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS who ABSOLUTELY LOVE CAMP in EVERY DETAIL! They enter into the silly fun of camp life savoring every detail: nightly devotions, Breakfast Clubs, Morning Assemblies, Activities big and small…they love it all. They are stunningly good campers who have literally grown up at camp. Their leadership (that can only come with age) sets the tone for the rest of our community.

That commitment to and passion for Greystone develops consistently if given enough time. We have found that it works very well in a five week session but goes off the tracks with less time. For some reason, it doesn’t work. Camp is still really good, but it is not what the girls need (not what the girls want). June and August Camps used to have slightly older girls, but we reduced our grade limits by 1 grade a long time ago in an attempt to make camp better… and it worked. Re-enrollment rates rose, surveys improved, and the Wait Lists started.

Rising 8th graders are incredible (some of my favorite campers!), but they need a bigger challenge. They want more intense teaching, more challenging projects, and more intense friendships. They want Main Camp (even if they don’t know it!). They are just scratching the surface of a camper experience. To go deeper they need more time that is flavored by those amazing older campers. We strive to give each girl the best camp experience possible, and longer sessions are better for older girls. Main Camp gives them the deep, impactful, camp experience that they crave.

I might not be able to convince you that this policy is a good one. Many of you love camp and REALLY WANT to continue sending your girls to Greystone but Main Camp doesn’t work for you. To you who will graduate from June Camp and not make the jump to Main Camp, I assure you that there are wonderful shorter programs for high school girls. Programs that meet for 1 or 2 weeks and provide a wonderful experience (Young Life Camps, travel camps, adventure camps). There are great options out there that easily fit into busy schedules. We wish we could provide all session lengths for all girls, but it just isn’t possible at this time.

We passionately protect our community, but if the time comes that it no longer resonates we will certainly make a change. This setup is working now but might not in the future. One thing that 100 years teaches us is that things change. We welcome change when it is needed, but for now, we believe the age ranges are still the right fit for our current community.

Sorry for the long blog. I know we often use too many words, but it is because it’s hard to explain the nuance of complicated messages. Hopefully, this blog will answer some of your concerns… but as always, we welcome your questions and comments. Thank you for the support, it is appreciated.

• Breakfast Pancakes and sausage
• Lunch BLT’s (never get old… still requested more than any other single meal.
• Dinner Sloppy Joe’s (several campers put this in our suggestion box last week).
• EP Production Night (Dance, Drama, Music all combine for an amazing variety show.

The weather is perfect once again. Temperatures in the 70’s (rising to the 80’s tomorrow and for the rest of camp). No chance of rain.

Thank you for checking in.