CLUBS

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One of the many lessons we learned from our Covid summers was the positive impact clubs have in Main Camp. We substituted a class period in the afternoon with an optional “Club time” where campers could do whatever looks fun… go once, go every day, or not go at all and enjoy free time with their friends. This was an innovation worthy of the name! These changes not only expanded our program, but they met the expectations of the campers (who want to try out a new skill but not be required to do it three times a week). We not only kept clubs in the schedule, we dramatically expanded the options! Today, they go live. Campers (and counselors) can try out the following TTS clubs (meeting new friends who share their interests):

Adult Coloring
ADV Canoeing
ADV Cheer
ADV Competitive Swim
ADV Glass Beads
ADV Painting
Aerial Yoga
Archery Club
Baking Club
Ceramics Levels
Conditioning Club
Creative Writing/Storytelling
Dance Club
Film Club
Groomba
High ADV Climbing
Horse Girl Club
Menagerie
Mountain Biking Club
Natural Dying
Paddleboarding
Patches and Embroidery
Pickleball Club
Pontoon Club
Pool Fun and Fitness/Synchro
Reading Club
Riflery Club
Soccer Club
Spanish
Sun and Sisters
Walk and Pilates with Kayla
Walk with Molly and Shelton
Wander and Ponder
Weightlifting

We work hard to expand and adapt the program at camp every summer. We build new program areas, this year featuring: (the Putt Cove Paddle Board Center). We renovate popular program areas (Riflery, Waterpark, High Ropes, High Adventure, Mountain Biking) and repurpose facilities to get the highest and best use out of the spaces (Art Barn). We adjust the daily schedule when camper surveys show a need. We debate every option and try out crazy ideas in an attempt to better meet our mission: To Delight and Inspire for the Glory of God. Clubs will provide some wonderful moments throughout the summer and might prove to be the best part of the camp experience for some girls.

Camp is a place that celebrates childhood, so it should come as no surprise that we are silly a lot of the time. Every camper (regardless of age) enjoys the see-saws, swings, tetherballs, 9-square in the air, ping pong, skeeball, and pickleball. All of us (counselors included) delight in rolling down the Pageant Court, splashing in mud puddles, and telling jokes. We enter EP Lip Syncs and “theme” meals with enthusiasm. Together we are FAR MORE childlike than we are apart.

This creative fun was in full view last night during the older girls’ Lip Sync EP. The two days of practice paid off… it was a great show! The largest Senior group in our history brought the house down with a performance that brought the entire Pavilion to their feet in a standing ovation- it was a show worthy of the moment and we were blown away!

After the EP ended, the program staff danced and sang as they swept the Pavilion with the post-show music blasting from our new sound system. Campers joined the effort, and the work was done in less than 3 minutes but the party continued for another twenty minutes. Most of the girls got crackers and went to their cabins but many quietly sat by the lake in Adirondack chairs, watching the fireflies rise and enjoying the music in the background. The sky was filled with stars when we blew Call to Quarters and settled in for the night.

We spend a lot of time describing moments in camp because such moments are absolutely precious to the girls. They love the silly things, they love the quiet things, the things planned and unplanned. They love it all. The girls are raucously loud in the Dining Hall and the Seniors get to their feet, shouting the words and dancing with gusto anytime “When a Greystone Girl Goes Walking” is played. It delights my heart to see them enjoying camp so much!

Breakfast pancakes, sausage
Joke Ike Pike and Mustard go ice fishing
Lunch Sloppy Joes, Blondies
Dinner Poppy Seed Chicken, squash casserole
EP Super fun, themed, outside runaround EP… I’m sworn to secrecy
Weather Sunny, warm (83), hazy, and nice.
Sleep Late Friday in the morning tomorrow. Sleep till 8:30, get to-go breakfast bags and eat in our cabins. Campers love it!