June 20 2025

Every year, we feel overwhelming gratitude for what we think is the best camp we have ever experienced. This is likely the impact of the Great Day Attitude on life. Perhaps we could feel this way about everything we do… Imagine if you felt you had just finished the best vacation ever after every vacation, or the best school year ever, or whatever experience you had just completed. Our collective attitude has a significant impact on our experience every year, and it inspires me to try to live every day with a smile that reflects a joyful and thankful heart. Unfortunately, things just are different outside “the bubble”.

Obviously, it was not a perfect summer… Early this morning we sent an email to the parents of our June Campers about a virus that impacted many cabins this year. We do not like being sick, but it is a part of life sometimes- this was one of those times. Camp is like a cruise ship when it comes to viruses spreading. Once a germ is “on board”, it is very difficult to control. This particular virus showed up at the beginning of the session with one camper. The good news is that the girls quickly recovered (within 2-3 days) and didn’t feel too bad as long as they rested and their symptoms were being treated. Dr. Margaret and the Nurses were amazing, caring for the girls with the professionalism, love, and attention they needed. We hear that many communities have had outbreaks this summer and are hopeful this wave has run its course. All in all, we don’t think the virus impacted camp in a negative way… best summer ever continues!

We know you will savor your reunion this morning. Nothing beats the joy of a family reunion after three weeks apart. The hugs, kisses, and teary-eyed wonder are wonderful. In many ways, closing day is one of the best parts of a camp experience. Camper and parent alike appreciate each other so much that it hurts. The emotion is so intense that it can’t be expressed. The stories will be told either in a torrent or in a flood… but they will undoubtedly be said because they are now cherished memories of beautiful moments to keep for a lifetime.

We hope that camp has been a transformative experience for your girls. We hope that they have grown in significant ways that will continue to enrich every aspect of their lives. We hope that their camp friendships will be a source of support and encouragement for years to come. We also hope that the positive habits they’ve developed at camp, such as kindness, honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity, will continue to be a part of their lives at home. We are confident that girls of such character will make a positive impact in the world.

Greystone Girls shine brightly in their homes, schools, churches, and communities. Thank you for allowing them this experience. Thank you for letting us share them for a few weeks. We miss them already.

And thank you for reading the blog. It has been a pleasure.