June 6, 2026

The first time I realized that I was “good” at anything was as a camper in sixth grade. I needed the confidence boost that such a realization brings, for I was switching schools in the fall. No more “Faith Christian Day School”… I was going to be a Wolverine at the BIG public school in town. I was really awkward, not a good athlete, not great at school, not the most popular boy in my class… kind of the vanilla student who just slips through the cracks. My plan was to keep my head down and avoid attracting any attention (no middle school boy wants the spotlight). Vanilla was just my flavor. That was that.

Then I went back to Falling Creek and signed up for canoeing. I didn’t yearn to canoe, it was just something to fill in a class period. In that class I met a boy from Lakeland, Florida, who was paired with me in a canoe. He was a “bow” and I was a “stern”. We learned to canoe together and were complimented on our excellent form on the second day of class. That was exactly what we needed to hear. We doubled our efforts and literally flew through the canoeing levels. We were invited to go on the whitewater trip to the Green River. We flipped the boat many times and learned with every mistake. We were invited to do another trip and then another. We found ourselves competing for our team in the gates competition on Challenge Day, gaining a respectable first place in our age group. Every day we went to canoeing at free period to practice the gates and play around on the lake. By the end of the month, we were good and we knew it. We walked with a previously unknown swagger that armored us against the trials of the year to come.

When school started, I ended up trying out for the football team (ok, not really a tryout as much as I went to football practice and was given a place on the team). I never would have done such a thing as a 6th grader, but I did after that pivotal summer. Football provided a needed tribe in middle school and a highlight of my highschool and college experiences. That summer at camp taught me that life is better when I worked hard and assumed a good attitude in every circumstance. Life was fun from then on.

This story is retold every year in every camp. I see it from my window as I write this sentence. A little camper tentatively raises her racket and perfectly hits a volley back to the counselor. Everyone cheers, and she beams with delight. As she runs to the back of the line, she is embraced by the entire group of campers. Everyone celebrates the win (looks like she has had trouble with her volley in previous classes), and she literally sprints to the net with her next feed. She now loves tennis… she is GOOD at it. She is transformed.

This is the power of aptitude. The bible says that God gives each of us “gifts” and that we are to stir up those gifts (make them shine). Things that we do particularly well, and that as we do what we are good at, we glorify God. Such gifts are celebrated at Greystone… we encourage the girls to try lots of new things (it’s how we find out if we have a gift in that thing). Our arts program has a team of local professionals who lead our staff in teaching amazing skills (sterling silver metalworking for jewelry, glass bead making, painting, ceramics, fabric arts, photography, printmaking, crafts, sewing, knitting, needlework). Landsports include not only the basics (kickball, frisbee, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and cross country) but also sports that are not as popular in some hometowns (field hockey and lacrosse). Performing arts are hugely popular and also a place for girls to shine for the first time (improv, drama, play production, backstage, dance, zumba, groove, cheer, choral, guitar). Swimming, diving, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and even water park become surprising sources of confidence as girls find themselves able to do something particularly well. And don’t forget cooking, gardening, flower arranging, animal care, riding, high ropes, mountain biking, climbing, and adventure.

The number of classes we offer is astounding (over 70… I don’t know how many exactly) and the campers love them all. Every counselor considers it a personal challenge to spark interest in their program area.

I cannot tell you how many girls leave camp each year with a passion for fishing, due to the interest Mike brings to this often-overlooked sport. Mike is a retired Marine Corps officer who lives nearby. He and his wife spend their summers at camp (Molly is a hostess) because they love Greystone so much. Their daughter was a camper, counselor, and Group Leader… one of their sons was on the men’s staff for multiple years. So Mike is often found refilling the fish feeders and working on the rods and reels long after the campers have left for another year. This passion is found in other areas as well… they have found their gift as teachers/coaches, and it brings them great joy to share their gifts with the world.

Camp is a surprisingly impactful place. We naturally expect the impact the girls will feel from a good cabin counselor or the best friend that they make in this environment, but the classes can be just as wonderful. Ask your girls about their classes, look at the projects they bring home (examine them for excellence and point it out when you see it), ask to see them do a Zumba dance, or hear them recite their line from the play. Look for the spark and encourage it to grow.

Today is another perfect day weather-wise… Another perfect day camp-wise. Opening Vespers had an impact. The candles were breathtaking. The most candles we have ever had in that program. The most we will ever have. That fact struck me in the moment, and I said the words to the girls as we silently looked around in wonder. The dark of night was banished by the golden light of 800+ candles held high. Remember this moment, girls, it will not happen again. They appreciate that this summer is special.

Our early-bird enrollment program changes mean that our longer sessions will be slightly smaller next year (all current campers at our longer sessions are guaranteed a spot in their current session, but are only admitted to other sessions as space allows). In this way, we will start to gain a little more control over enrollment numbers, allowing us to evenly distribute girls across all of our sessions. We kept our old policy as long as we could, and this year, it was clear that the time had come for a change.

It is the right decision, but it also makes me nostalgic. I started the early-bird program many years ago and have always loved seeing who God called to camp the next year. It led to many surprising oddities and forced numerous facility upgrades as we realized we had more girls to accommodate than we were expecting (what a problem to have!). Some sessions would have more campers enrolled than others…it was stressful in the unknown, but it was also very good. The change to our re-enrollment was needed and will make camp better, but I will always remember the old days fondly!

I think the girls grasp the importance of each person who is here this year and the unique moment that is formed when such a group gathers. I think they appreciate June Camp in a new way after seeing all those candles… at least it seems that way. Impressive at such a young age!

Weather 84, sunny with slightly cloudy sky.
Breakfast Truck Drivers Special (Biscuits and Gravy)
Breakfast Club “Pass the Bacon, PIG”
Lunch Chicken Tacos
Dinner Shepherds Pie
EP Rotating Group Night (break into three groups, each one does a special EP that is very awesome and completely different than the other areas. We will do three of these nights in total, giving everyone a chance to do each area.)