July 4, 2026
When one’s mission is To Delight and Inspire, the 4th of July is always a big deal. Greystone Girls LOVE a good party, and the celebration of our nation’s birth 250 years ago is in full swing today as we honor the moment. It is fitting that we do so.
The United States of America represents a remarkable accomplishment, unique in world history. We are FAR from perfect, but the ideals and institutions formed so many years ago are worthy of the exuberant parties we throw on this day. At Greystone, we do not take our country for granted. Patriotism runs deep in our daily routine as we raise the flag and recite the pledge in the morning (saluting the flag as the bugle plays) and lower the flag at night, saluting again as the bugle plays. Such moments provide a strong backbone to our camp experience. We are proud to keep the tradition alive.
Imagine being a camper in 1942-1945… your father serving in Europe or the Pacific. In those years, America joined together with resolve to one end: victory. It was touch-and-go at first, but momentum built into an irresistible wave, and the Greystone Girls were just as committed to the cause as anyone. Records of those years are sparse (lost in a 1950’s fire) but imagination fills the gaps nicely. They would have done things similar to what we do today (though more solemn). I doubt if our celebration matched that of 1945, but it was really good. Fitting of a 250th anniversary.
The campers and counselors gathered as we have for 107 years, forming up in cabin groups around the flagpole as iconic, beloved patriotic music played over the PA. Everyone was dressed in their gaudiest attire and sporting the red, white, and blue plastic necklaces, hats, scarves, and other “swag” that we freely handed out (thank you, Amazon.). All “normal”, this is how we always start this wonderful day. But today was way more involved. A fact that became evident when Bill Taylor (the old guy who teaches tennis; we were on Men Staff together and he and Sandi come back to camp every year to teach and counsel the girls) read a paragraph about George Washington crossing the Delaware.
Quick aside… I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Rick Atkinson’s trilogy on the Revolution, with two volumes now available. Reading of that iconic moment in Atkinson’s remarkable retelling (with multiple first-person accounts and a wide range of source material) was deeply moving. Everything was on the line when Washington, as Supreme Commander, made that audacious gamble. It could have (should have) completely failed, but Providence (in the shape of terrible record cold weather) and pride (in the person of the Prussians) provided a chance for victory. The tide of the war changed that night, and we reap the benefits to this day.
As Bill reads, the Group Leaders and I emerge from the “Pig Island Wilderness” and land the boat near the Shepherds’ Gazebo. We form ranks and march to get our flag from Betsy Ross (riding in a pony cart!) and formally march in columns of two through the circle of cabins and to the flagpole. We then raise the flag and recite the pledge… it was magnificent. Funny and yet moving. Campers described it as having “Aura” (new one on me, but they said it with grave faces… must be a good thing).
The day now proceeds as normal, ending with a picnic, carnival, and fireworks. It is over-the-top and bigger-than-life and gaudy in the very best way. What a country! Thank you for sharing your girls… they made today GREAT!
- Breakfast Pancakes (with whipped cream lines, blueberries, and strawberries), sausage, and fruit.
- Breakfast Club on Patriotism
- Joke Jose can you see?
- Lunch Sweet potato tacos
- Dinner Pigs in a blanket, cheese curds, funnel cake, cotton candy, watermelon, grilled cheese, chicken and waffles, ice cream cookie sandwiches, etc.
- EP Carnival Al bringing the works… lots of rides followed by a dance contest, followed by fireworks and popcicles.
- Weather Slightly cooler (91), partly cloudy, low chance of rain.