Advice from Our Older Campers

If you ask us, one of the best parts about Main Camp is seeing so many ages living and playing in a close community together. Where else will an 11th grader and a 3rd grader eat meals and learn to knit and have a huge dance party together?

Our high school campers are a huge blessing to all of us during the summer, and we look up to them so much. So this week we asked them for their best camp advice for fellow Greystone Girls of all ages, and man, they delivered! Scroll on through for their words of wisdom about friendships, being yourself at camp, and more. What advice do you have for younger campers? Let us know below!

Classes and Events:

• “If you’re interested in a class, take it whether or not you know someone else in it. It’s the perfect way to make new friends!” - Claiborne
• “I would definitely recommend the Landsports classes, but especially Ultimate Frisbee. My memories from Main Camp Ultimate Frisbee are some of my favorite memories of all time!I would also recommend Canoeing. I have no words for canoeing. Greystone canoeing introduced me to my now camp BFF. I could not be more thankful!” - Mary Charlotte
• “If you are walking to class and don’t know anyone around you, go up to someone and talk to them! It might be scary, but it’s so worth it. Also take a ton of pictures - they are so fun to look back on after camp!” - Abbie
• “Take at least 1 water class! Always try new classes, even if it’s something you have never tried because it will surprise you how much fun the classes you never thought you would take can be. Smile and say hi to new people!” - Sawyer
• “Don’t be afraid to take a class that might be out of your comfort zone! No one will judge you and you might end up loving it!” - Kate
• “If you have the slightest bit of hesitation to take a class, do it! You could potentially learn a new hobby, and/or meet some of your lifelong friends!” - Mary
• “I highly recommend Dog Camp if you love dogs! It’s personally my favorite class. It’s so much fun to walk, play and train them! I also recommend Waterpark!! It’s so fun to go down the slides and go paddle boarding!” - Parker
• Think about where your classes are in relation to each other. You don’t want from walk to Waterpark to Dog Camp and then back to Zumba! I also suggest that you always take a Greystone bite (and that’s coming from a picky eater)!” - Katie
• “Go to Morning Assembly! And really sing and praise the Lord with all you are worth. Morning Assemby is absolutely my favorite part of the entire year.” - Lillian

Camp Tips:

• “Be yourself always but most especially at camp because that is where you are going to find the most genuine, Christ-centered friendships that will last forever. Dance in the rain, wear costumes to classes, jump in the lake with your clothes on…you are at camp, so live your best life!” - Mary
• “Come back to camp every year that they can…. The best part of my entire year is camp. I start counting down the days until I get to come back to camp as soon as we load up the car on Closing Day. I would encourage them to take advantage of their years at camp, because you never know when that opportunity will be taken away… And the most important thing to do at camp is SMILE!” - Mary Charlotte
• “Make sure to eat lots of bread and honey.” - Millie
• “Make sure to hang out with your cabin, especially at the start. It’s so much fun when you get close to them!” - Mary Caroline
• “Eat as much food as you can because you’re going to miss it when you leave.” - Gill
• “Be yourself, take fun classes, or do classes you would have never thought of doing. You are at the most supportive, caring, and loving place. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new!!! Be really festive, dress in funny clothes, and make the most of every minute… Everyone will love you, and I know I said this before, but I cannot say it enough. Camp Greystone is a supportive and caring place where everyone just wants to see you succeed, grow, and love the Lord… You are at this special place with the most special people; enjoy it!” - Hannah
• “Be yourself! I think camp is the only place you can truly be you without anyone judging you. Everyone dances to the beat of their own drum and everyone loves each other for it!” - Anney

Friendships:

• “Always keep in touch with your camp friends. Snail mail is the best, but also stay connected online with them. Also, I love bringing a Go-Pro to camp and making a video when I get home!” - Dakota
• “Learn as many names as you can and always say hi! One of the best ways to make friends is to seek someone out and to show you care by learning their name.” Eliza
• “Try to bond with everyone in your cabin! Even if you already know some of the girls in your cabin, try to make friends with the ones who you don’t know because it makes it so much more fun if you are all friends. Also, keep up with your friends after camp is over! It may seem easier to just connect on social media, but it is so much fun to send letters and receive them!” - Caroline
• “Make new friends! Talk to your bunk mate, or the girl behind you in the ice hut, and cherish every moment you get with the most special friends. Take the class you’re thinking about trying. Try the food. Enjoy every second because it flies by!” - Lilly
• “Schedule Shoppe Dates! DMCs can happen anywhere, anytime.” - Zoe
• “Don’t be afraid to try something new! My favorite part of camp is the opportunity to try new things like food, or a new activity! Also, use every opportunity you get to meet new friends!” - Skylar
• “You should savor the meals and the friendships you make at them. I always went out of my way to say hi to my table mates at Morning Assembly, EP, and classes. These friendships are unique because they are often with people you had never met before.” - Kate
• “My advice for new campers is to not be afraid to say hello to new people. Making new friends can sometimes be scary for others at first, but at Greystone everyone is so welcoming and excited to make new friends. One of my favorite parts about camp is the friendships I have made. It’s always good to have a group of friends who are just as excited to grow closer to God as you are. I know we all say it but it’s true, I can call these girls anytime of day and they will pick up the phone. Sometimes when things aren’t going great the best thing you can do is call a camp friend and catch up with them.” - Anne Carlen

Packing:

• A water bottle is a must because “you can refill it around camp and dehydration is not fun!” - Laura Grace
• “Pack each specific clothing item in a specific box to keep things organized! And before camp, make a laminated guide with all of your addresses to write lots of letters.” - Ireland
• My advice to younger campers is to bring a journal! There are so many fun memories made at camp, and writing them down in a journal is a great way to make sure you won’t forget anything. My second piece of advice is to try something new! You never know what talents you might discover at camp. And finally, savor every moment. Your time as a camper is fleeting but filled with so many DMCs, hilarious jokes, and meaningful friendships” - Elise

Lots of Wisdom:

• “Just enjoy every moment and try to keep a good attitude, because camp goes by too fast!” - Edie
• “Make the most of everything! One thing you do at camp may not be your favorite but just have fun with your friends and enjoy every second in teh bubble because it flies by.” - Sallie
• “Follow the rules, play the camp game! Trust your counselors - they are always there for you. Don’t be afraid to take classes on your own, that’s how you meet new friends!” - Laura
• “Go all out for everything you do! You only get to be there for a short amount of time so you have to take advantage of every moment. Enjoy the time with your friends and go crazy!” - Mackenzie
• “I think the best part of being a camper is the ability to act like a child. As you grow up at home, more and more social pressures try and force you to mature faster, but at camp, you can stay young forever.” - Kate
• “Enjoy every moment you get at camp with whoever you are with! Use camp as an opportunity to let God grow you and embrace it! Don’t be afraid to try anything new and take in every second you’re there because it goes by fast! You won’t realize how much you love camp ’till you are headed home but know that camp is more than a place so bring the things you love about camp home with you!” - Mackinlay
• “I think the most important thing about camp to savor is just the simplicity of being in the bubble. It is so nice to be surrounded by such a wonderful place and all amazing scenery that sometimes we forget just how special it truly is. Not being able to go to camp this year made me realize all the small things I love and miss at camp, like hearing the bugle for flag in the morning and walking down in the wet grass and fog to our spots or holding Margaret’s hand as our counselor finishes devotion and prays us out.” - Anne Carlen