2021’s Hit Class: Greystone Traditions
A COVID summer forced us to make a few changes, but in true Greystone fashion, some of them were so good that we’re planning to keep them around! The Greystone Traditions class is one of those.
So how did it come to be? When time came to finalize the Junior Camp schedule, we needed one more class that all of our campers would enjoy. We started thinking about how many traditions the Junior Campers aren’t able to experience due to the shorter session length. What if we could find a way to teach them about these traditions and show them all the things they could look forward to during their future years at camp?
We knew the idea had merit, but it had to be led by the right person, who could make this activity a party and not a boring history class! That person was Katherine Mahon Robinson. We knew that Katherine would take the idea and run with it, and that she did! Read on for a little Q and A with Katherine herself to learn more about what made the Greystone Traditions class so popular.
First off, when were you a camper and on staff? What is your Greystone “history”?
I was a camper in the mid 80s and have been on Program Staff at both Junior and August Camp in recent years. I also have a daughter, Kate, who was a 12-year Greystone camper and was on staff last summer. Being there with her for August Camp was extra special.
What was your first thought when we asked you to teach a new class called Greystone Traditions?
Of all the people on the planet to teach the traditional Greystone songs, I am just not your girl. Not only can I not carry a tune, my singing voice is on par with screeching cats.
What was your second thought?
There are so many more traditions than singing at camp. I’ll just focus on those.
What did you want to teach the campers? What did you focus on?
As a former school teacher, I know the attention span for this age group is approximately 15 minutes, so changing things up was important. Even though I would only see the campers one time, I wanted it to be a really fun and unexpected class. Almost all of the Junior campers were brand new to Greystone, so I thought it was important for them to know where they were and how camp came to be.
I started with the history of camp from the very beginning. They absolutely loved the story and looking at pictures of camp back in the day. I thought it was important for the girls to know that Greystone has been in the same family for over 100 years - it really is what makes Greystone so special because traditions aren’t lost. Then we moved on to Odd and Even chants and cheers, and the importance of healthy competition. We rounded out the class with all the fun of Banquet including the Felix the Cat clap and “Hail, Greystone, Hail.” If time permitted, we learned more Greystone hits.
What was your first thought when we asked you to teach it again at August Camp?
Well…the class had gotten such rave reviews from Junior Camp, I was not surprised! Seriously, teaching on the Dining Hall porch was a non-negotiable. The Dining Hall has always been the heart of camp, and since we were serving meals in the Fort, I felt it was important for new girls to spend some time in this space. I was also nervous about my voice. I had just recovered from screeching, I mean singing, from Junior Camp.
What changes did you make for August Camp?
The age group was my biggest concern, as I didn’t know if the middle school audience would be as receptive, but they were amazing. I actually added a “tour” of the Dining Hall, which is really like a Greystone museum; there are so many great artifacts to see and share. The different windows into the Kitchen are all painted and tell a great Greystone story.
What do you think was the most interesting thing the campers learned?
I was shocked at how engaged they were with the history of camp, the family tree of camp directors, and how they are all connected. I used a lot of pictures from the wonderful 100 year book to illustrate how camp has changed but also stayed the same. Teaching the Banquet clap was great fun. I would demonstrate, and they would shake their heads in disbelief that they would never be able to learn it. Two minutes later and a little Felix the Cat magic, they had mastered it. If you know, you know.
What topic bombed?
“Hail, Greystone, Hail” is a hard song to teach to 8-year-olds, especially when I am tone deaf. And slow songs weren’t a huge hit either. “Hello Libby, Hello Virginia” was much more our speed. I actually taught the history of that song, which made it even more special.
What is your favorite Greystone tradition?
My favorite Greystone tradition is that we have so many great traditions. In a world that is constantly changing, Greystone feels very much the same as it did when I was a camper. It’s why they can’t keep me away. It’s a return to my youth, and the older I get, the more special that becomes.
What do you think was the camper’s biggest take away?
This class was such a wonderful opportunity for the cabin groups to sit together on the Dining Hall porch, look out over the Pageant Court, and reflect on the fact that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Many of these girls were a part of the only group of girls to ever miss a summer at Greystone. We talked about their place in history and how there will be Greystone Girls talking about this summer 100 years from now.
