July 20, 2026

Today’s Breakfast Club attempted to connect spiritual growth and journaling. Specifically, we considered the power of writing down the joys, sorrows, concerns, and people that impact our lives every day. These details are easily forgotten, and their importance is missed because we do not remember them or how we saw them in the moment. I say this from the perspective of someone with a poor capacity for recall, but even someone who remembers details forgets the many things that consume our daily life. There is just too much; everything gets jumbled together, and we lose the thread that God is weaving into our life. Faith is built in these details; when we remember, we see how God uses the many circumstances of life (good and bad) for good. Write them down, even if it is just a simple word, name, phrase, or feeling. The notebooks give a record of how God shaped us over time. These details build faith that equips us to live joyfully, thanking God in all circumstances as we confidently trust that He is working all things for good.

Last night’s Council Fire talk was on Unselfishness. I told the story of the Me-Me bird (first told by my Grandmother Gigi in the 1950’s). Ask any Greystone girl what the secret of Greystone is, and they will say unselfishness. The story is worth telling every year because it takes this deceptively simple theme and puts it in a memorable format that can nudge our behavior in years to come: Don’t be a Me-Me bird can become a template for life.

Margaret and I took a break yesterday afternoon to visit the FAC and see the 2026 Main Camp Art Show. It was an inspiration! Art, in all of its expressions, has this impact on people. Beautiful art draws us in and causes us to marvel, delight, reflect, and love. We yearn to surround ourselves with art that “speaks” to us, and we are in awe of those who are gifted with the capacity to create it. Greystone has many talented artists, and their work was celebrated in the show. Most of camp took the time to wander the gallery (the seven studios of the upper floor of the FAC featured hundreds of pieces; it took at least 30 minutes to see it all, but we could spend hours). It makes me happy to think of you seeing these projects later this week. Every piece is delightful in its own way; many of them will become treasures to be passed down through generations.

Today we anticipate the Senior Play. Into the Woods is not an easy show to watch (the dress rehearsal was 2 hours 40 minutes long), has a complex, humorous, musical structure (taking classic fairy tales and exploring what happens after “happily ever after”). Such entertainment is sophisticated and deeply satisfying; we look forward to seeing what our friends accomplish in presenting their summer’s work. Over 70 campers are spending an entire month preparing a performance that will be a triumph: sure to be remembered for years to come.

All of us at Greystone (campers, counselors, directors, and work crews) are grateful for your support in allowing our camp to thrive for so many years. Main Camp is special. ALL of those who are here appreciate that fact. Main Camp could easily have gone out of favor with families who have so many opportunities to choose from; that it continues to be valued is a fact we do not take for granted. You make a leap of faith in allowing your girls to attend this camp. That faith is rewarded with an experience that you do not see firsthand. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious girls. It is an honor.

One last moment that I feel led to share with you today came from our staff last week. We gave the counselors an opportunity to contribute to The Great Day Fund and a record 85% contributed over $13,000! The staff see the value of this experience and appreciate the impact of every camper who is here. At this point in the summer, we all “get it” and we want to assure that any girls who are drawn to this place in the future can attend. It is an encouragement to see the number of staff who are willing to participate in this mission. The impact of camp is profound; we want to see that it continues. Choosing to send your daughter to our camp is how we survive, and we are grateful. Should you be led to “pay it forward”, consider including The Great Day Fund in your family’s annual giving plan. In my biased opinion, it is worthy.

Breakfast French Toast, Sausage
Joke The Spirit of the Sweet Little Dog
Lunch BLT
Dinner Chicken and steak Mexican bowls
EP Senior Play Into the Woods
Weather Sunny, 82 degrees, UV 10, chance of rain