June 8, 2026

It is rare that we are given clearly negative feedback from parents, so when we do, our entire team pays attention. When we get multiple emails on one subject, we know it’s time for a Blog! We understand the concerns some of you have about our new photo system and appreciate the feedback. We recognize that this was a big change, and many did not appreciate how significant the shift would feel. A blog post that provides details might help you better understand what is going on with our photos, the “why” behind the disappointment, and what to expect going forward.

Feedback on photos this year has been mixed: some negative, some positive. At this point, it is about one-to-one both ways. Everyone has been loving and kind in their communication, even if they strongly disagree with the policy. Some think it was a huge mistake and that we did not appreciate how important photos are to our families. Some love the change and hope we never go back. Those who are passionate about this issue will appreciate hearing more. If this is not you, skip to the bottom (it is a long post!).

We are committed to posting 200-300 quality photos every day, and we hope to exceed this number on some days. Our hope is that many (or most) of these photos will have several campers in them, meaning we will have over 500 campers (or more) represented every day (but not always necessarily different campers). With this number, and just over 600 campers at June Camp, our hope was that you would receive a photo of your daughter every 2-3 days. Some of you have gotten this many photos (if not more!), but we recognize that some families have received fewer than that; we understand that this is disappointing. Parents not receiving photos for days on end was never our intent, and we know that we can do better. Keep reading for more on what to expect this week; we are hopeful that our numbers and cadence will increase as our photographer’s schedule shifts, and we add additional photo opportunities for the girls.

Please know - we take your concerns and feedback seriously! We’re a camp that strives to both exceed your expectations and to glorify God. To this end, we spend countless hours during the year poring over surveys and striving to make camp better for campers and parents. We care… so much! Photos are a service parents love, and the decision to change it was not easy, but we felt the change was important. Over the years, we were convicted that that our old photo model (thousands of photos every day, cameras in front of the girls at all times, girls feeling the pressure to look a certain way or be “on” while at camp) was not good. It was negatively impacting the camp experience and not in line with what we want girls to experience while they are at Greystone.

We see camp as one of the last places girls can get away from the pressure to look perfect. Greystone should be a place for your daughter to escape the pressures of the world in every way, including constant photography. Our sense was that we had taken the photography service too far and needed to change our model, even if it might upset parents (who consistently ask us to take more photos, not fewer). We wanted to positively impact the feeling in camp (photographers in a class make some girls shrink back and others rush forward… classes find campers straggling in late as they prioritize getting another photo instead of getting to the activity). We are already seeing the expected benefits, but we knew that it would be hard for parents.

We are very sorry for any disappointment with your experience so far, but please know that the June campers are thriving and that it has been an incredible start to the session. We recognize that it’s a big deal for you to be away from your girls, and it feels even harder when you’re not seeing photos of her enjoying camp. We know that the Mystic tragedy has impacted your heart, and you just want to be sure that your daughters are safe. Even with all of that, we think this was a good decision for the girls.

While it has only been two weeks since the new photo system was introduced, we are already seeing tangible benefits in our community. Our returning staff is over the moon with the change this has made in their activities, and we have heard countless specific examples of the impact on campers and their classes.

Girls are more tuned-in to their classes without cameras distracting and interrupting their learning and fun. This means more time doing the fun stuff and more time to grow in their skills and confidence.
Instructors teach to a higher level and cover more in their classes. Campers are making it to their classes on time - before, there would be long lines and delays of girls waiting to get their photos taken from one class to the next.
The girls are running/skipping between classes. There is a lightness and more natural feeling between the campers as they just focus on their friends and conversation.
Freedom in their classes. Previously, some girls would choose not to get in the water at Waterpark because they didn’t want to be photographed. Now, everyone just jumps right in. All across camp, we’re seeing girls more relaxed in their classes. Not worried about what they look like - just focusing on each other. At EPs and around camp, they’re more turned towards each other - focused on their conversations and play - not on trying to get in one more photo.
Freedom for parents. Many parents are discovering that they enjoy looking through all of the camp photos from each day rather than just seeing the tagged photos of their daughter. It allows them to catch photos that facial recognition misses, but more than that, it gives a better feel of what’s going on in camp as a whole. We would highly encourage you to do this!
Overall, there is a particularly sweet spirit in camp right now. Is this because of the photo change? It’s too early to say, but we can confidently say this is something we are keeping an eye on and will continually evaluate all summer long and throughout next year. So far, our assessment is that having fewer cameras is having a positive impact on our community. We are seeing girls play, be young, and enjoy the one time of year when they don’t have to worry about how they look or stopping what they are doing to be photographed.

We know this doesn’t take away from the challenges this change presents for you as a parent, but we want to let you know that things at camp are going very well.

As far as what to expect moving forward, please know that we are listening to your feedback as we try to balance parent expectations and camper experience. We welcome your comments and perspective, now, or in the survey we’ll send out at the end of the session.

We have contracted 2 full-time photographers for periods of time over the next 3 days. We anticipate delivering higher than our promised number of photos on several days this week.
Today, after lunch, you’ll receive all the photos from Saturday and Sunday.
We have additional photo opportunities for girls who would like them this week. These were always part of our plan and will be particularly enjoyed by the girls. There will be a grab-a-friend time before Team Fires tonight, our traditional Carnival cabin pictures, a new photobooth station at Carnival on Wednesday, and an optional “grab a friend or family member” photo on Sunday after church. If it’s important to you that your daughter jump into these pictures, please email her with that encouragement!

We hope that as the session goes on, you will be encouraged by the number and quality of photos you will see and come to appreciate other ways to connect with your daughter’s camp experience. Soon, you will get another scanned letter from your daughter and a separate letter from her counselor. Read the Blog, listen to Morning Assembly talks and Sunday sermons, and keep up your letters and emails to your campers.

Ultimately, we ask that you trust us as we continually work to make Greystone the best it can be. We’re a camp that has always striven to exceed parents’ expectations - we think that, in the end, this is exactly what will happen with this change. It takes a lot of time and prayer for us to change something, especially when we know that it may disappoint parents. We ask that you trust that when your daughter gets home, she will have had a Greystone experience that exceeds all your hopes and expectations for her. If the photo changes diminished her experience, we want to know. We will be surveying campers and parents to put numbers to our observations.

We are grateful for your trust, partnership, and feedback. We love your girls, and we appreciate you.

Breakfast Waffles and Sausage Links
Joke Complimentary Peanuts
Weather 80 degrees, overcast, no rain
Lunch Chicken Sandwiches and tots
Dinner Korean Bulgogi Bowls
EP Team Fires