June 24, 2026

Camp is now two days old. Yesterday we started our class schedule and accomplished a lot! It was clear from my office above the tennis hut that Tennis, Zumba, Fishing and Landsports were really engaged but it wasn’t until dinner that I realized that this was true everywhere. At dinner, the cast of both Junior and Senior plays was announced. Every part was auditioned for and everyone was given a part on the first day! Both camper and counselor alike were very excited to hear of those honors announced in front of the entire Dining Hall after dinner. We dismissed to Shoppe with big smiles and keen anticipation for the Tentalow Lip Syncs.

We took our seats on the Pagent Court early, and some of us quickly realized that we should have brought sweatshirts. The temperature dropped from a perfect 72 degrees to a chilly (for me) 65. I didn’t leave my seat, neither did any of the campers, because the acts are fast (each one is about 1 minute long) and it isn’t worth missing anything just to get warm. I shivered a bit, but loved every minute of the show. The girls were spectacular as always. Not because the dances were so great (though they were awesome), but because of the joy and delight that radiated from their eyes during and after each performance. There is something magical about getting on stage in front of an adoring audience. It brings cabins together and is celebrated by all. Tonight we will see the older Bungalow and Cabin girls perform; anticipation is very high for the show!

You ought to check out the morning assembly devotion that we will post almost every day. The devotions are short (5-7 minutes) and are really good. When was the last time you heard a truly inspiring and insightful 5 minute talk? For me, it ONLY happens at camp. An audience like this (10-17 year-olds) demands quality. It has to engage quickly, come to the point quickly, and wrap up quickly. Perfect for most Americans! Our attention span is just not that long. Most ministers never give 5 minute sermons (they only get one chance to teach every week, so they use as much time as they can). Here, the minister will have a chance to speak almost every day. It makes for some excellent devotions. Quality! I will link to the devotion every day in the overview at the bottom of the Blog. A new thing this year that I think is worth adding.

I read that Europe is experiencing a record heat wave, but at Greystone we are experiencing another day of perfection. Paris has nothing on us weather wise! It is wonderful day and we are enjoying it fully, for we know that this too shall pass. This week is unseasonably cool, next week it will be unseasonably warm, and we will love it all. Given a choice, I choose cool but hot is nice too. At camp we experience weather with an intimacy that is unmatched in the “real world”. Air Conditioning is not a thing around here. When it is hot or cold, we sweat or shiver. When a cloud passes over on a sunny day, we feel the cool of the shade wash over us like a wave, then feel it quickly warm as the sun hits us again. We savor the shade of the trees, the shelter of the porch, and the wind that whispers through the pines. We delight in rain falling on upturned faces as we walk with friends to our classes with our arms outstretched. We scamper with smiles when Perry goes off, gathering with friends in protected places as we wait for the lightning to pass. Weather is just as much a part of camp as anything. We love it all.

Weather Perfect 79 degrees, low humidity, a bit overcast, UV 11!
Great Morning Assembly Devotion
*Breakfast: Pancakes and sausage, HUGE fruit bar every morning, cereal, oatmeal.
Lunch Pesto Pasta (no pine nuts)
Dinner Pan Fried Chicken with Mushroom Rosotto
EP B4-C12 Lip Synchs
Taps at 9:40