June 16, 2026
The cheerleading squad is never very big. Just a small group of upbeat, smiling, cheerful people whose enthusiasm pulls a large group into the game. They do not care what the score is, what mistakes the team makes, or anything else that the fans might grumble about. They keep up the upbeat drumbeat of catchy phrases (that’s alright, that’s ok, we’re gonna beat them anyway!). It is annoyingly effective… fans are pulled back into a positive attitude by their leadership. The team benefits, and the fans enjoy the game more. Every team is better with the encouragement of a great cheerleading squad.
Greystone has a few fanatics who act as cheerleaders each summer. They subscribe to our blog, Instagram, daily devotions, morning assembly, Sunday sermons, and click on their account to thumb through the daily photos (long after their camper has left camp). They value what we do so highly that they do all this work, soaking in the content with delight. They always give positive feedback, always encourage, always appreciate. We are deeply grateful for the support.
Fanatics are not something that are appointed or manufactured in some way; they arise organically. I am not asking you to be a fanatic for Greystone, but I think it is a great thing to become a fanatic about SOMETHING in your life. We live in a skeptical, pessimistic world that often scoffs at the cheerleaders of life. The fanatics work hard to maintain that spirit, but their influence affects the rest of us. So look for worthy “teams” (those who authentically reflect the love of God) and make the effort to cheer them on. You will enjoy your days more, and your enthusiasm will help in a thousand little ways.
Tonight, Greystone goes to the Theater! Musicals have always been a part of Greystone. Some of our earliest photos are of productions on the Pagent Court and girls loved putting on Gilbert and Sullivan plays every year. I understand why the play production is so popular because I was a “thespian” in the day. Hendersonville High had a fantastic Drama program led by a fantastic teacher. Mr. Orr LOVED everything about the theater, and he ran a great club. We competed in statewide drama competitions, never winning but often getting favorable reviews. Learning lines and songs, blocking movements, getting into character, and bringing the character to life with the nuance of movement and diction were all skills I developed. Additionally, I learned about wardrobe, props, sound, lighting, and promotion/marketing. It was the best educational experience of my life apart from camp, and I am so glad productions are still part of Greystone life.
Last night’s production EP came off without a hitch and made every performer feel like a star. The songs were cute and sung with confidence and flair. The dance numbers were innovative and ran smoothly like clockwork. The cheer class performed THE BEST cheerleading routines we have ever seen at Greystone. Many of the performances rotated two groups in each song (thus giving many campers the opportunity for a front-row spotlight position on the stage). The girls were so confident! They claimed their moves with that flair that makes non-dancers (like me) gasp with delight. The singing was loud and confident, matched with choreography and intricate solo numbers. The guitar girls played a mix of songs as one (remarkable for such a big group). We loved it all and can’t wait for tonight when the girls perform “Annie.”
About 10 years ago, one of our former June campers became a Broadway actress (she played Glenda in “Wicked”). Everyone knew she was special when she played the lead in the June Camp play two years in a row. We were blown away by each performance. She hit every note perfectly, spoke with delightful inflections, and effortlessly moved about the stage with grace and style… it was clear that she had a gift. So we look forward to the show this evening: perhaps we will experience that moment when a star is born!
- Weather: Cloudy, 80 degrees, no rain
- Breakfast: Hash Browns, Sausage Links, Eggs
- Joke: Jesus is Watching
- Lunch: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
- Dinner: Hot Dog Buffet