June 20 2024
Tonight, we will celebrate our last night together with a Banquet, an event keenly anticipated by the campers from their first days at camp, often ranking it as their favorite event of the entire summer. It will be a wonderful ending to a wonderful session… beginning with a big reveal at Flag, a fun play in the Pavilion, then a delicious feast in the dining room. The counselors act out their version of a popular musical (typically something by Disney), dressed with delightfully innovative homemade costumes, sing and dance , then distribute the simple banquet favors to their campers. Before entering the banquet hall the cabin enjoys one last joyful last walk down the lower road, entering the Dining Hall together with big smiles and wide eyes. We serve a meal that they LOVE (chicken strips, mac and cheese, fruit, broccoli salad) in a place that has been lavishly decorated. Toasts, awards, presents… it is wonderful. The night culminates with the announcement of the team scores and a shockingly loud roar of exuberant campers. So much fun!
But first, we enjoy our last day. Perfect sunny weather, wonderful friends, fun classes, and giddy excitement. We have one more day to spend at camp, and we are nloving it! Our last hours will be marked by expressions of gratitude, joyous laughter, spirited games, and dance parties. It is going to be a Great Day!
Last night’s Council Fire theme was unselfishness. It is the secret of Greystone and provides a good template for shining in any community. I always tell the Meme Bird Story… it is very simple and conveys a truth in a way that the girls remember. They sat in absolute silence, relishing the beautiful Council Fire location. Hundreds of awards were handed out, and we finished by forming a giant circle around the flag pole, holding our candles high.
The girls keep their candles to tuck them away with other camp memorabilia just like Dr. Margaret did 40 years ago (she only came to June Camp but was deeply impacted by her experience). Margaret still has the crafts projects, class awards, and candles from her years as a camper. Even if you are not a pack rat, find a way to hold onto this “junk” that will be in your campers bags when she gets home. It might very well be treasured many years from now.
Thank you for your support and encouragement, for sharing your girls, and for reading the Blog.
We are grateful.
- Breakfast Corned Beef Hash, Grits
- Lunch Taco in a Bag (easiest, best, most requested, “crowd-pleasing” meal in the camp menu… do it the next time you have a crowd of children coming to dinner… you will thank me).
- Banquet Dinner Chicken Tenders, Mac-n-Cheese, Green Beans, Fresh Yeast Rolls, Chocolate Stacks
