July 13 2025

“Thank you for the party”, said younger camper (perhaps 10?) in a hurry, excited about getting to the pagent court to take her front row seat and watch the Talent Show. The Dining Hall porch was crowded with campers and counselors shuffling out after dinner dismissed. I was surrounded by other well-dressed birthday girls on the decorated “lower porch” (the girls dress up for these things). The guests of honor were busy finishing their cake and ice cream, chatting, and gathering their party favors (cool blue caps with purple lettering). Everyone is talking, and I am at the center of a small group of campers who were particularly interested in knowing what life at camp in winter is like, so it took a moment to get my attention but she quietly waited her turn. “Thank you for the party.” Of course, thank you for coming”, I replied without a thought as she dashed off with a group of friends.

Another moment of old-fashioned good manners exchanged in a place that has seen thousands such perfunctory niceties this year. No big deal; but it is sweet and reflects a reality you will appreciate. You have raised very polite girls and the impact of their training is good. It makes everything better. You will be happy to know that they are surrounded by others who also know what to do. There is a “southern” obligation to be polite, and while many of us are raised in the rules but “polite society”, this is not the defining characteristic of life any longer. I don’t usually notice the absence; it’s just the way it is, but when experienced in large numbers, the effect is profound. We don’t give these simple obligations enough credit for the good they do. They point us to God. They encourage us to make the “extra effort” and generously treat each other with respect and kindness.

We don’t have to do much to provide a special moment for these birthday girls (Chick-fil-A and cake make a party memorable after three weeks at camp). But we like to go all out, which requires a fair bit of work… choosing the place (not my house this year, we have campers recuperating up there), making and ordering the decorations, cleaning the space, moving furniture, hanging the banner, laying the tablecloths, place settings, name cards, picking up “special” food (Chic-Fil-A), and ordering a special cake (we have a fantastic new bakery in town). Olivia started work on these party details three weeks ago, ordering and storing themed party supplies from Amazon. It took a group of four counselors and Olivia’s constant directing to put it all together; we never stopped fussing over the details. As the host, I take credit for all this hard work (though I’m sure Olivia received many thanks as well). About 10% of the very happy birthday girls stopped by to tell me how much they appreciated the party. It showed the spirit of Greystone in action.

Not a very exciting story and not a moment that struck me at the time but now, in the quiet of a pre-dawn moment of peace, it seems important. Today is our third Sunday of Main Camp, only one more to go. I am getting the first whiff of nostalgia for the passing of something beautiful. It is easy to take camp for granted as we float from bell to bugle on familiar routines of work, play, rest, and sleep, surrounded by people we enjoy in a place we love. Greystone is a good experience. A good vacation for the girls and a good job for the staff… but I don’t think most of the campers would consider it a “vacation” and I don’t think most of the staff would consider it a “job”. It is camp. We are just thankful it exists.

We will go to the FORT for church today (with temperatures in the upper 80s, it will be more comfortable there), have a big lunch, a long rest hour, a free afternoon, picnic dinner, a concert on the lawn, dance parties, fireflies, moonrise, and crackers before bed. How could we not be thankful?

Enjoy your Sunday and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for whatever circumstances you find yourself in. We will do the same.