The Case for Simplicity at Camp
Parents, you know as well as we do that the best things about camp are the simplest: laughing hard with a friend, a DMC (deep meaningful conversation) on the dock, tasting that Opening Day brownie, or finally mastering that skill in your favorite class.
These are the moments that we wait all year for! These are the moments that are rare to find outside of the Bubble. These are the moments we want to focus on this summer, and we’re asking you to help us focus on the simple goodness of camp this year.
Today, we’re diving into the case for keeping camp simple. What do we mean by that? Why does it matter? And how can you, as a camp parent, partner with us in this goal? But before we get into it, let’s give some context - why are we talking about this now?
Some Background:
We have seen an uptick in parent survey comments at the end of the summer suggesting that we address the pressure their girls have started to feel to wear a certain brand at camp or bring the right skincare. Parents are wondering: can we fix this, directing girls’ focus away from what they’re wearing or the products they have? We couldn’t agree with the heart behind this comment more!
Our deepest hope camp would be a place where our campers can leave the pressures of the world behind. We want them to come home talking about their friendships, their activities, their faith, and not the label on their bunkmate’s clothes. We have devoted significant time as a year-round team over the last few years to this topic and have considered all kinds of potential answers.
We cover this concern with our counselors, and we also talk to the girls directly about this on Opening Day, challenging them to choose what they want to focus on while they’re here. Let’s not spend our summer talking about our stuff when there are so many better things to give our attention to!
But the quest for simplicity at camp starts way before Opening Day, and that’s where you, as camp parents, can come alongside us. We’re asking you to keep simplicity in mind as you pack your daughter this summer and to consider talking to her about this topic before she arrives. Starting these conversations intentionally at home will set your daughter up well for the summer ahead.
What do we mean by simplicity?
Packing for camp brings up choices for you and your daughter to make together. You know she needs shorts, but which shorts will she bring? How many Sunday dresses does she actually need? Will she pack her whole skincare routine, or will a couple of steps suffice for a few weeks?
Our request to you this spring: when you’re faced with a packing decision, do your best to choose the simpler option. Leave the fancy workout brands at home. Camp is not the place for your daughter’s nicest jewelry or every hair accessory she owns. Cut back on the unnecessary extras whenever possible!
Important to know: we’re not asking you to buy a whole new wardrobe if your daughter doesn’t own “simple” clothes! Pack what you have and what you feel comfortable sending to camp, knowing that things are likely to get dirty and smelly. However, when you do have the option, or when the question comes up about packing that nicer pair of pajamas or the extra pair of shoes, we’d ask you to consider simplicity. This is going to make your life easier, your daughter’s camp experience better, and it will benefit our entire community!
Why does this matter?
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Simple is practical: Simple items fare better at camp! Regular t-shirts and shorts wash well in our laundry system. A basic water bottle is easier to wash than one with a lot of parts. Our cabin bathrooms have storage, but not enough shelf space for each camper to bring lots of products. Camp was made and designed for the essentials; packing with simplicity in mind equips your daughter up to thrive in our space and systems.
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Simple is easier: Can we get an “amen” from anyone who has tried to fit the entire packing list into just 2 large bags? The less extras your daughter brings to camp, the easier it will be to pack, the less she’ll have to keep up with while she’s here, and the simpler it will be for her counselor to help her pack before going home. Please save yourself and your daughter stress and send items that you’re not worried about losing or getting dirty!
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Simple unites our community: As much as we try to direct focus elsewhere, fancy brands and excess stuff can lead to comparison that distracts from our mission here at camp. We want to avoid anything that could lead a camper to feel “less-than,” and we never want a camper to think she has to have a certain brand or item in order to fit in here. Help us make this a summer where the first thing two girls notice about each other is their kindness and warmth, not what they’re wearing or carrying.
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Simple keeps the focus on what matters most: Trends have come and gone over our 106 years of Greystone, but the heart of this place and the experience of the campers here have remained the same. Parents over the course of our history have sent their daughters for the same reasons you do - for them to grow in their faith, to make new friends, to learn new skills, and to experience memories that will last them a lifetime. The less time girls spend talking about brands, the more time they have for the parts of camp that matter to you and to them deeply. Clearing the clutter and the distraction of these things we carry with us out in the world leaves space for all of the good stuff that only exists at camp.
So there you have it - just a few of the reasons why simplicity matters to us so much at Greystone. We hope you’ll keep this in mind as you’re packing and preparing for summer 2025!
We know the Lord has wonderful things in store for these girls, and we cannot wait for them to be here. Here’s to making this summer one where these girls can step away from the distractions and pressures of home life and relish every moment of the beautiful simplicity that we love here in the Bubble!