June 9 2025
Today, at Breakfast Club, I asked what I thought would be a compelling question… one that I thought would result in hundreds of hands raised in response. Who wants to be known as a brave girl? About forty girls raised their hands, surprising me and prompting me to consider why such a small percentage of the girls responded.
It’s possible that they weren’t paying attention (we changed tables today, and this first meal with a new group is exciting as we try to figure out the common detail that Mary Gray used to combine the groups). It’s possible that they didn’t see the connection between courage and mental growth and were confused by the question. It could be almost anything, but one answer makes more sense than the others (in my opinion): they were being a little cautious while surrounded by their new friends.
Greystone is a safe place marked by smiles and kindness, but it still takes a little bit of time for girls to fully embrace “the Bubble.” This is one reason why a three-week session is so impactful. It gives each girl time to adjust, settle, and get comfortable enough to truly be herself (something we hear every year from girls at the end of the summer). This process can’t be rushed, and each time she meets a new friend or changes tables in the Dining Hall, she is building social skills that will benefit her throughout life.
We know these girls are already brave (we see it every day at camp!), and they will continue to grow their courage this session. Today, I pointed out that the bravest thing is to do what is right - to stand against injustice, to defend the weak, to say something when we see something that is wrong. We want to do it, but are often paralyzed when the moment comes. But we need not freeze up when such moments arise… we just need to practice building courage! We practice courage every day at camp by doing little things that make us uncomfortable and learning that we will be okay. We learn that fear does not need not define our actions, and we develop an instinctive response of courage in many situations. We become a light and represent Christ in a dark world that despises and rejects Him. Camp is a safe place to build those characteristics, and good campers make good citizens out in the world.
The nice weather continues… sunny skies, warm temperatures (82 degrees), low humidity (no chance of rain), and we are enjoying a full moon and bumper crop of fireflies. Such weather is going to make classes a delight all day long and enhance the Team Fires EP tonight. The girls love the team competition aspect of camp. The Odds (the odd-numbered cabins) and the Evens (the even-numbered cabins) engage in little competitions every day. Activities include picking up trash (each team has a trash can that is measured daily, and the team with the most trash wins team points), cabin inspections, class attendance, Flag attendance, and similar things (that make camp a better place). We will also have a big Challenge Day, where every activity in camp engages in good-natured competition between the teams (the winning team gets a lot of points). Team Fires is like a massive Pep Rally where the girls learn the traditional team cheers, engage in some fun games, are led by silly cheerleaders, and end up with s’mores as the sun goes down. It’s lots of fun; we’re ready to make some noise!
Thank you for reading the blog and sharing your wonderful girls.
The Update:
- Breakfast waffles and sausage
- Joke: “Ike, Pike, & Mustard and the Geni”
- Lunch Shaved pork sandwiches, pimento cheese, and Blondies
- Dinner Carne Asada tacos
- EP Team Fires
- Weather Sunny, 82, low humidity, almost full moon (full moon on Wednesday)
