Our Currency
”At Greystone, Kindness is a Currency.” This is how a Greystone mom described camp to a friend, and I think it is a perfect way of encapsulating the essence of our community. It is how we celebrate the “secret” of Greystone and we hope that it is the character trait that will mark a Greystone Girl for the rest of her life. We expect our counselors to lead by example and you (as parents) know how hard that is. Twenty-four hours a day, these young women are the primary focus of attention for hundreds of children. It is exhilarating! It is also exhausting.
As we finish our first week of camp, perhaps you will be led to an act of kindness to encourage these young women who are serving your family. Knowing that you appreciate what they are doing will have an impact that is profound. At this point, these young women are finding themselves conflicted, loving the work yet exhausted by the work. It might be the first time they have ever worked this hard for so many days in a row. Hearing from you will provide them with a burst of energy just when they need it!
We have made encouraging our counselors easy with this online form. It only takes a minute and will be deeply appreciated by the staff. Please consider writing someone today… Bookmark the form and continue to write quick notes throughout the session when you feel led. It would be a wonderful way for you to support our community.
Yesterday we added a little spice with a super fun EP! The Jungle-themed EP was a big hit, with the girls divided into 4 teams (leopard, giraffe, zebra, snake). The games were funny and active, a mixture of gameshow-type things (family feud) and dodgeball. The girls REALLY got into it, and when we gathered by the lake to watch representatives from the four teams do a relay race through waterpark, the energy was through the roof. This morning, we announced the big news… First place went to Zebra! Hurray!
Tonight’s Opening Vespers EP will be the polar opposite of last night’s Jungle EP. Opening Vespers is a calm and quiet EP that feels like it is from another era (sit in absolute silence, listen to the “linsey-woolsey” story, recite a verse with your cabin, watch the light of each person’s candle spread through the entire camp). We always marvel at the beauty of the moment. It in a solid hour of absolute silence… and the girls love it.
Opening Vespers is one of our favorite EPs, perhaps because it celebrates “important things” that are not noticed in this loud and glitzy world. This program has not changed much in 100 years, and the campers are glad for the connection. Telling the old story is always poignant for me personally because it directly connects with my ancestors. It is a wonderful thing to have a connection with such a good thing from generations who have passed.
The rundown:
- Sunshine again… beautiful blue sky days (we really haven’t noticed the haze everyone is talking about).
- Perfect temperature… high in the high 70’s
- Breakfast… Ham and Cheese bagles (a camper favorite)
- Joke… Stopping the “Coffin”
- Lunch… Shaved pork sandwiches, Cookie
- Dinner… Grilled Flank Steak, Polenta, Roasted Veggies
- EP… Opening Vespers
- Our first 3 Morning Assembly devotions are posted. They have been great; you’ll enjoy listening.