July 16 2025

We awoke to light rain (don’t even need a raincoat) and comfortable temperatures (78 degrees). This is nice, I thought to myself as I made my way to the office before Reveille, and it was a change from the effect I remembered from morning rains in the past. Such weather is usually a bit chilly, and sweatshirts or quarter zips are required. Will this become the new norm? Interesting. Unanswerable… who knows? If weather like this year is the new norm, bring it on! It is great!

I am inclined to see everything through rose colored glasses when assessing camp life, and I am not alone. A large percentage of our community feels the same way; they are the ones that I gravitate towards, and they lift my spirits. Those campers and counselors who adore every little thing about camp life are now in a last week frenzy to make memories. I passed a group of about ten smiling campers of varying ages beaming as they made their way back to the tentalows (all had homemade Thank You cards in their hands… no idea what was going on but clearly not a problem!). If only the real world were like this. I’m going to miss the girls when they leave, but I digress.

Today, campers will pass levels, read books (reading is a major activity at camp, thumbs up emoji), soak in long DMCs, nestle in bunks, play cards, harvest beans and blackberries, sing, skip, dance, walk arm in arm, roll down hills, and stomp in puddles. It is the golden time of summer, and we don’t want it to end. A beautiful example of the sweet spirit of camp occurred at Morning Assembly about an hour ago. Andrew began with an invitation for a camper to lead the whole camp in reciting our theme verse for 2025. About fifty hands flew up and he picked an eager girl in the front row who confidently stood in front of a HUGE audience and NAILED IT. A wonderful, heart warming moment for me (and will be for you too, I bet).

Another of thos iconic moments happened yesterday at dinner when Kendall (rising 8th grader) passed the La Fauvere level (expert) in fencing. Passing expert in any activity is a big deal that is celebrated with a camp wide announcement. This accomplishment was made more special for the fact that this has not been done in a very long time (seven years, I believe). I love the fact that fencing is still celebrated at Greystone… “The Parent Trap” demands that we have a good fencing program, it makes me feel like we are a legitimate camp!

Temperatures are expected to rise to a high of 83. Partly cloudy skies, a chance of afternoon showers, and cooler temperatures suit us fine. I think it is the high humidity and lack of wind that make it feel so pleasant… the climate is certainly delightful and worthy of note.

Tonight’s Senior Celebration will showcase our Senior group. Each of the 108 girls has a seat of honor and feels the moment’s significance. They have anticipated this night for many years and will savor every second. Their camp years are drawing to a close, and this is a moment to look back with nostalgia and look forward with joy.

Every girl will perform (sometimes with their cabinmates by their side), making this another long night marked by laughter and tears. The last portion of the evening will feature a presentation of the Senior Court (girls honored by their peers for embodying the Honor Code and Spirit of Greystone). Afterward, they will have a private party and special devotion. They are also given a piece of jewelry (artisan silver crosses crafted by our Metal Jewelry department head, Marilyn Bailey) and hand-written cards from their counselors. These cards are lovely beyond words and very time-consuming for the counselors. They artfully affirm character traits that shine brightly in these young ladies. Campers will treasure the crosses and cards for a lifetime.

Things might be sad or blah in the real world, but here in the Bubble, life is almost perfect. We anticipate every day with keen interest. There is a constant chatter of little voices in every building. It is hard to make announcements in the dining hall and call rolll in classes because of the ongoing conversations that are so important at the time. Girls are intensely focused on completing projects and advancing levels. Every EP is now put on by the campers who have worked on that performance most of the summer. The girls know that time is running short and are excited and nostalgic.

Thanks for making it all possible!