July 12 2025

A big thunderstorm rolled over camp yesterday afternoon during sixth period. Perry (our early warning lightning system) went off as the clouds gathered, and classes moved to sheltered places. This is a fairly routine exercise (NC has the second highest incidence of thunderstorms), and the campers enjoyed the blessings of another storm (cooler temperatures, a change of pace). The wind picked up, and it was clear that this one had a lot of lightning (many are just distant rumblings). We watched the display of power with awe. A bolt of lightning hit a pine tree at the softball field and the girls in the FORT (which is adjacent to the softball field) had a front row seat to the action and heard the sound of thunder when it happened close by. The camp sustained almost no damage (two breakers flipped and our front gate needs to be reset). We quickly calmed the girls down, explained (once again) why it is important to seek shelter in a building, and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. The girls happily ran back to their cabins, excited about their new camp story. I’m sure you will hear about it later!

It is good for the girls to know that these things happen in life…camp prepares for such things which makes camp a good place to experience them. In any other year, this would be a normal topic to bring up, but this year is different. Last week probably changed the way you hear such a story; how could it not? It is normal to have this response, and we come to grips with the feelings in our own time and way.

The Wall Street Journal featured an essay that you might have read, “The Tragedy in Texas Broke the Implicit Promise of Summer Camp”. I thought it a great perspective on what might be “the elephant in the room” these days.

Daily life at camp is magical, meaningful, inspirational, empowering, fun, funny, delightful, even in hard situations. We have never faced tragedy at Greystone, but we take the weight of that responsibility seriously. We mitigate risk, make plans, build in protections, and prepare all the time…it is the way we take care of and prepare each summer for our campers.

Thank you for sharing your girls and allowing them this experience. It is an honor to be a part of their lives.

Breakfast: Fruit, Yogurt, Pancakes, sausage

Weather: 83 degrees, UV 10, Partly Cloudy, chance of rain

Lunch: Pesto Pasta

Dinner: Flank Steak, Polenta

EP: Birthday Ball and Talent Show