Tradition

The consideration for today: Tradition. This trait sometimes not valued highly in a culture that lifts up “new” and “young” above all else, but there is an amazing power to this overlooked strength. Four generations of one family dedicated to running the best camp possible… it gives a substance that is unique. This substance is sometimes visible: building over the top facilities that don’t make financial sense today but will enhance camp for generations, planting slow growing trees that will not mature for decades, and always knowing that no matter how many years you are gone, you will see a Miller when you check out Greystone. Sometimes the substance is not easily seen: owners who never consider selling camp, career moves are simply not possible. My mother, my sister, my brother, my children… none of the family would understand such a change. My time at camp is not about me, it is about making camp better suited for the next generation.

I think this is the best camp in the world, not just because of the many details that make for a long series of “perfect days”… but because the commitment of one family to one purpose for 91 years is powerful. This has worked ONLY because of our unbroken commitment to Christ for all of these years. Never has there been family disharmony because of the family business, never has there been a question about keeping camp open. The Holy Spirit has worked all things for good: summer after summer of protection and provision. The campers reap the benefits of His care every summer.

This is the best summer I have ever had, our staff feels the same way (they LOVE camp, love their girls), and it is obvious the campers feel it too. That camp is going strong after 91 years does not make us proud; it is humbling. This is not of man, we can’t boast.

Today is really nice, a new week has begun and the challenge that we face is to make the most of it. This week we are working on the “Mental” side of the “Great Day” in Breakfast Club… Saturday we considered the power of attitude (decide that you will enjoy the challenges that arise every day), today we considered the power of “Can”. Growth will require us to stretch outside of our comfort zone, to try things that we think may be “too hard”. If we are only doing easy things, we are not growing. Use this week to try hard things… always with the attitude of “I can do it”. Eventually we will succeed.

A cloudy day again, just 40% chance of rain but a nice soft rain started the class day, a rain that ended after about 30 minutes… great weather. Some classes will relax, but most will be pushing pretty hard. The girls know that they need to make the most of this week, it is the last full week of regular classes and there will be many goals that will be met as that energy level rises. The girls are very comfortable with each other, trust is established and the concerns of the world are far away. Some are counting the last days of camp with glee others are counting the days with gloom, but all are excited to be here. These Are Good Times!

Thank you so much for reading the updates and for supporting our camp. It is a wonderful gift to share these weeks with your daughters.