July 9, 2026
Camp is a wonderful combination of capstone moments and gloriously ordinary days. So many of the blessings of Main Camp are found in the ordinary (but intentional) daily routine - we know our classes, we know our friends, and we know the camp schedule like the back of our hands. We are comfortable and thrive because of it, but breaking that routine leads to Meaningful Moments.
Yesterday provided a series of such moments - from Reveille all the way to a (very late) Taps, “Do Nothing Day” was a delight. For some of you, “doing nothing” for an entire day might sound like your nightmare, but others of you understand the thrill of a slower pace, especially when spent with friends. To these girls, it was certainly a dream day!
Campers slept late, enjoyed a buffet breakfast (cinnamon rolls - such a treat!), and then got to do whatever they wanted. Reading, sleeping, watching movies, making friendship bracelets, tie-dying, slip-n-sliding, Tennis, Pickleball, tanning at the pool, mahjong, needlepoint, boat regatta, or just sitting on the white chairs with their friends. By this point in the session, the girls are ready for such a day. They stayed in their pajamas (a treat just for Do Nothing Day), wandered slowly around camp, sat in groups in the shade, and talked the WHOLE time. Glorious!
The fact that the power was off for most of the day just added to the “specialness” of the moment. It felt like an unexpected snow day during the winter. Eating in the dark, adapting to minor inconveniences (low water pressure), late meal service, dark rooms, and no bugles felt right with a “nothing” schedule. It was harder on the staff, but they rose to the occasion with ease. Camp teaches you to pivot with a smile and that challenges are fun to figure out when you work together, and yesterday was proof of that.
By 5:00 p.m., the power was restored, and anticipation for Corn Roast was huge! This event is strategically placed right in the middle of Main Camp - a relaxed, over-the-top capstone moment that the girls look forward to and will talk about for the rest of the session. Set-up happened all day, and the evening kicked off at Flag with a stand-up comedy set from former Greystone camper and counselor Riley. The Kitchen prepared a huge buffet of barbecue, pasta salad, fried okra, cornbread, and of course, huge ears of corn dripping in butter. Food came out in waves, with particular delight at the Root Beer, Hot Apple Turnovers, and donuts.
After the feast, we got to enjoy all kinds of country fun down by the barn area. Girls got to play carnival games, make ice cream in a bag, learn to lasso, pet the Farm Barn animals, play laser tag, fish, fly kites, go on boat rides and hay rides, jump in the photobooth, or just wander around with apple turnovers and root beer out of the keg in their hands. Corn Roast is a “choose your own adventure” kind of EP - play games frantically to earn tickets for prizes or just take it slow and hang out with your friends. Margaret and I dressed up in our Corn Roast best and got our picture taken with lots of campers!
The night ended with a blowout fireworks display from a professional pyrotechnician (who trained Peter, “Pyro-Pete,” for our own fireworks on the 4th of July!), complete with coordinated sound and effects. Dustin and his team set up all day, including four “barges” (rafts) loaded with fireworks floating on the lake. Words fail me when it comes to describing how amazing this show was - you will just have to ask your girls! Jared’s pictures give a glimpse, but trust us that these are the best fireworks we have seen anywhere. It was an over-the-top way to end an over-the-top day, and today, we’re glad to get back into the normal routine, appreciating it more than we did on Tuesday!
Our beautiful weather pattern continues today (warm, sunny, with a small chance of afternoon rain), and tonight’s Group Night Evening Program will be another memorable moment in a summer full of them. The Group Leaders have been planning these events for weeks, and they will spread out across camp to run a night specifically for their age group. From a fancy dinner to a pitch-dark “rave” party, we arrange a bespoke experience that meets their expectations. The Group Leaders are very excited about what they have planned for the girls. It is a wonderful springboard to our final stages of the summer.
A group of Tentalow girls stopped in my office a minute ago. They sadly plopped themselves down in the chairs, and I joined them to see what was happening. “Two weeks… we only have TWO WEEKS!” I gravely nodded. True. Sad. Exciting. Surprising. Disappointed. ALL these emotions will be felt by the girls at some point over the next week. Many are not yet aware of how quickly the finish line is approaching, but some are just now coming to grips with the fact. I was proud of these young girls’ maturity in articulating their feelings. I know how hard it is to express such emotion.
Thanks again for making this life possible. For appreciating camp for what it is and what it aspires to be. You are the best, your girls are amazing and we are so grateful to be a part of their lives.
- Breakfast English Muffins, Breakfast Casserole
- Joke The Hills are Alive
- Weather Sunny, warm 86, chance of rain
- Lunch Hamburgers
- Dinner Pan-fried Chicken, rice, green beans (unless your group is eating out).
