Anticipation
Starting a journey is exciting… pulling out of the driveway for a road trip, boarding a plane for an exotic destination, or setting sail for an adventure on the high seas. At such moments our hearts swell with anticipation - endless possibilities and high expectations. That is what camp feels like today.
We have made our preparations (chosen our classes, know the names and locations of places, are comfortable in the dining hall, know the words to the songs, and are comfortably settled into our cabins). Now the journey begins! We raise the sail and feel the boat take off with a surge of momentum. FUN!
Last night everyone from Bungalow 3 to Cabin 12 performed on the big stage. It was a fun show… great choreography, fun costumes, and unexpected twists. Greystone Girls LOVE a show. It is part of what makes camp awesome!
I am, by nature, an introvert and typically avoid attention. In my youth, camp taught to confidently be seen. In my last year as a camper, I was elected team captain and appointed to the Honor Council. That next school year, riding the wave of camp confidence, I ran for student body president and was elected in a landslide. To this day, the lessons of camp are paying dividends. Campers do not think of me as an introvert; they think of me as “Jimboy” (a minor celebrity who is very approachable). Camp was foundational to building social skills that might not have developed so well otherwise.
Instilling confidence is one of the things that happens at camp. All are accepted and many are celebrated for their unique personality traits. When the basis of our relationships with each other is kindness and love, it is amazing how the little things that separate us in “the real world” just fall away. Without the crutch/distraction/impediment of a phone in our hand, we naturally make eye contact with each other. Hundreds of interactions in a day are marked by smiles and acceptance. The confidence that arises from these brief interactions lifts our spirits and fills our hearts with joy.
If you have never gone to camp, you will just have to imagine how wonderful this feels. My great-grandfather saw its impact on his daughter, Virginia. She and the other campers thrived under the love and support of so many friends and mentors. He left his career as a minister to impact the Kingdom of God through camp. The growth that happens here is powerful and it is profoundly good. We are grateful that camp still resonates.
The girls are entering into camp life with abandon and are already contributing to the community in significant ways. The singing in the dining room is shockingly loud (it can be heard literally a mile away, echoing up the green river valley), and post-EP play time is delightfully varied (crazy dance parties, quiet conversations on the canoe dock, ping-pong, tether ball, jimball, pickleball, skeeball, etc.). Campers make camp awesome! They sense their power for good and this power spurs them to try new things and assume leadership in various settings. It is wonderful to see!
Tonight’s EP is “Welcome to the Jungle”, a super active (super fun) EP that challenges cabins to work together as a team doing lots of fun activities all around camp. At the end of the program we gather at the Shepherds Gazebo for a final contest and big dance party. The girls LOVE it… a nice change from the less active shows we have enjoyed to this point. We will give the girls lots of time to clean up afterwards then enjoy a great night’s sleep.
- Putt Cove is spectacular! June Camp is the first session to enjoy our Putt Cove renovation. The Paddleboard center is getting a lot of attention on the lake. The girls love the wide steps that extend the full 40 foot length of the deck and go into the water for an easy transition from dock to board. The landscaping is wonderful. The setting is so very peaceful. Kayaking, Sailing, and Paddleboarding will all enjoy this space.
Thank you very much for providing this experience for your daughters. We know it is a big deal to spend so much money/time. To be away from the family. We saw your tears as you drove away on Monday morning- tears of happiness mixed with the deep emotions that only parents understand. Your girl is growing up and you sense that time is short. We think camp is one of those things that will prove to be worth the effort.
- Breakfast Club Joke parrot named Jesus, rotweiler named Jesus…
- The Weather is glorious, sunny, 77 degrees, chance of rain later in the day.
- Breakfast scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, hash browns
- Lunch BBQ Chicken, French Fries, Cookies
- Dinner Beef Stroganoff, green beans
