July 11 2025

Sleep Late Friday is here again, a welcome quiet start to another great day. The group night was the best one of the year, thanks to the perfect weather and the wholehearted participation of the staff and campers. Squeals, shouts, laughter, roaring cheers, and music filled the air during EP. No rain, thank the Lord, so we gathered by the lake in PJ’s to enjoy the fireworks show.

Dustin has been asking to do a show at Greystone every year since he did one for our 100th year celebration in 2019. Dustin is a successful entrepreneur who owns a thriving business, but shoots fireworks in his spare time! He is a kindred spirit, and I hate to let him down, but we only have fireworks on the Fourth, and Dustin is expensive and always shoots the big Hendersonville fireworks on that day. My certification snafu gave him an opening —a special show to enhance an existing program; he would even discount his fee. Deal. Corn Roast was our choice, but Group Night worked out great; the weather was sublime, and the show was spectacular. Better than Disney, I heard a counselor say with authority to a friend… and I agree. Chills from the first minute, I never stopped smiling. Worth every penny.

Today will be warmer than yesterday (90 degrees), partly cloudy in the afternoon, with a chance of rain. We will conclude the day with our second Council Fire of Main Camp, where we will discuss “important things” and recognize girls for their achievements in classes and throughout the wider camp community. The highest award given is the Spirit of Greystone, and each recipient of this highly selective group will likely be surprised to have been chosen. These girls are bright shining lights in our community. They are the very definition of unselfishness, so they don’t see themselves as special. Often overlooked outside the bubble, here they are our heroes. Their examples inspire the rest of us to work harder in upholding the honor code while having fun.

Two weeks from now, you will have your girl(s) back home It feels like a long time from now to the campers, but it feels different for you; two weeks that will pass in a flash (I’m carefully planning what jokes to tell… not enough time to do all the requests).

The next two weeks at Greystone will be huge. Momentum will grow in every aspect of camp life. Classes will be compelling (the staff know that they must make every day count). Evening Programs will mark moments that have been anticipated all summer, each one bringing predictable cheers and tears. And the many expressions of friendship will be poignant and much sought after (long DMC’s, plane letters, talks, and walks). Each day will be a gift.

As I get older my appreciation for the gift of time increases. I love being a camp director… You have no idea how gratifying it is to do it. To awaken early with the promise of another great day with your wonderful girls is a delight. Recreation is a gift… Margaret and I can’t wait to take a break and read some good books at the beach. Family is a gift (our five children are spread coast to coast, Margaret has a sister in Seattle, my brother is in Flat Rock, sister Katie is moving to Hiwassee Ga… so many places to go!). Food is a gift… Gervais has spoiled me all summer, but I’m looking forward to making Vacca Frida and going to restaurants again.

I don’t think I appreciated the gift of time until I got older, and I suppose that’s the way it is with most of us (don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone). Many of the campers and counselors will “get older” in their appreciation of time these next two weeks as they run to class and lie in enos with best friends they only have at camp. I hope this appreciation of time will accompany them when they leave this place, and that appreciation will lead them to God.

SLF Breakfast Buffet: Fruit, Yogurt, Bagles, Cereal, Sausage Links

Weather: 90 degrees, UV 10, Partly Cloudy, chance of rain

Lunch: Hamburgers and French Fries

Dinner: Chicken and Red Rice

EP: Council Fire