June 8 2024

Our Opening Vespers was not just a success, it was a testament to the spirit of our camp. Having Catherine on stage was a highlight, and her prayer and introduction to the importance of the Bible Verses were not just excellent, they were a significant improvement that has now become a cherished tradition!

Thank you for being such faithful readers of the Blog all week. We appreciate your interest and your encouragement. At the same time, we think that it is OK to take the weekend off! Analytics show fewer visits to the Blog on Saturday; this makes complete sense. Saturdays should be fun, and camp blogs often become just another part of the work week, another task to complete on a busy day. Resting from work is good, more than that, it is healthy!

Parenting has become a bit too intense these days (in my opinion). When I went to camp, it was 7 weeks of separation with only one letter from me one time a week (often just one sentence long… “Camp’s fun, doing a lot of canoeing.”) This mandatory “meal ticket” written on Sundays was supplemented by one or two letters from my counselor (usually 4 sentences of scant detail). No photos, no emails, no phone calls. Lots happened every day and my parents would not know about any of it until I came home (and they knew that I would have forgotten many or even most of the moments by that time). Rather than causing anxiety, the absence of these details was soothing to my parents. They knew I was safe, growing, and having fun. They would learn the details that mattered to me in good time. Such parenting was easy, and it was good.

Things are different these days. We post thousands of photos daily yet still receive feedback that it is not enough. We understand and recognize that we can improve on the quantity and quality of photos… but we also know that these photos are for you and not important to the camper experience. Our mission to delight and inspire applies to parents too, so we put a priority on improving your experience of camp too… so the work continues and we appreciate your understanding as we often fall short of parent expectations in this highly connected world.

We scan letters home and receive many requests to increase the frequency of these letters (even daily letters from your camper would not be too much). Most would like to hear more (even daily) updates from cabin counselors, some would like updates from specific program staff, particularly those specialists who teach a skill that is important to hometown goals. While we appreciate the love and support that providing more communication implies, we also recognize that camp is a place to allow space to grow. The girls thrive with a little room to grow on their own.

They choose their own schedule, hang out with their own friends, and develop new friendships and interests in the process. The older campers tell us that camp is a place where they can be themselves and this statement resonates as true. For generations, this has been the way Greystone girls thrive, and it is an important priority as we look for areas to improve.

Camp is not just a safe place; it’s a place of managed risk, unbridled joy, and awesome adventure. It’s a place where unstructured play and wholesome living are celebrated. We cherish the simplicity as we appreciate what has made camp so influential in the lives of our campers over the generations: face-to-face conversations, great food, and overflowing kindness from all. We gratefully acknowledge God in all circumstances, thereby making the most of every day. It’s a GREAT setting that fosters lasting friendships and creates unforgettable memories.

So take a break… catch up on the photos later… it’s ok to skip some days! Going over the summer photos with your camper when she is home will lead to some amazing conversations as you connect directly with her camp experiences on her terms. That is how you will really understand camp. Warts and all… it is a good experience. I think it is the best experience a girl can have!

• Sunshine again… our perfect weather continues.
• Perfect temperatures… 80 degrees
• Breakfast… Truck Drivers Special (biscuits and sausage gravy)
• Joke… “Clearly”
• Lunch… Shaved pork sandwiches
• Dinner… Grilled Flank Steak, Polenta
• EP… Group Fun Night