May 25, 2026

Thank you for making Opening Day so great! You filled out your paperwork (I know how hard that can be), arrived on time (Margaret knows how hard that is), and showed outstanding Greystone Spirit on this crazy day. We appreciated your big smiles, and wonderful attitudes. You didn’t get grumpy when you got mud on your clean car. You painted your windows and showed your support in a thousand less obvious ways as you prepared your precious daughters for this week. They are obviously ready for camp!

My office gets a front-row view of almost every cabin group as they walk from the cabin photo spot (by the lake) toward the pool. I also see the groups returning from the pool as they walk toward their cabins along the lower road. Their attention is focused completely on each other as they get through those awkward first conversations with new friends. The counselors are in the middle of the group, leading by example (big smiles, high-fives, wide eyes, exaggerated hand gestures, and nonstop chatter). Even an introvert like me would feel at home!

This will go on for a couple of hours… cabin photos, health checks, a tour of the camp, a swim test… then lunch. A huge buffet featuring fresh-baked bread, camp-smoked turkey, ham, cheese, pasta salad, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, fruit salad, chips, and brownies to be eaten as a picnic with your cabin group. The girls spread out around camp on their cabin picnic blankets as they enjoyed the sunshine and continued the conversations into rest hour.

Normally, we will be quiet during rest hour, but who could be quiet on a day like this? Too many things to talk about! Everyone needs to know what to expect, and there will be lots of questions. In every group, some girls will know more than others (sisters or friends who came to camp and told them all the scoop), and they will help a lot! At some point, someone will want to talk about their dog, cat, bird, or fish… then it is on to stuffed animal names and siblings. Pretty soon, everyone is talking at once, and it is about then that the bugle blows for our first assembly!

Each cabin comes to the FORT in a group and runs through a double line of counselors, cheering and waving pom-poms. It is a magical moment. Margaret and I experienced this about twenty years ago at Christmas in New York City. We arrived at FAO Schwartz to kick off the magic with an early Christmas present at this iconic toy store. It opened at 9:00, and there was already a line of children and parents waiting. The doors swung wide promptly at 9, and there was a double line of employees cheering as we walked into the store. The joy and excitement of the dozens of children who felt like royalty in that moment brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful. We have done it ever since.

The assembly introduces the girls to the “bigwigs” of camp. Me, Laura, Cat, Sarah, EA, and the Group Leaders. We explain a few ground rules and make it clear how important it is to be nice at camp. Here, kindness is a currency, and smiles are always on display. We meet new people and make new friends every day. We are quick to ask forgiveness and always remember to say thank you. These little things make our camp special. A brief glimpse of heaven that is deeply appreciated by all.

Thank you for checking in. Don’t worry about a thing!

A few details:

Weather: Cloudy, 70% chance of rain (but not until tonight) Read yesterday’s blog about the rain… it is often a part of camp life.

Lunch: Turkey and Ham sandwiches, brownies

Dinner: Pasta with sauce, big salad bar, fresh bread, Candy Shoppe

EP: Counselor Talent Show

Taps: 9:00