A busy month at Camp Gray, May will be.

By: Chris “Topher” Aderhold

This week’s Tuesdays with Topher had the potential to be a bit boring. With Summer Camp fast approaching, there are a number of upcoming dates and some pertinent information that simply needs to be shared. Rather than merely listing the dates and information – which would have likely made this the most terrible Tuesdays with Topher post in the long history of this blog – an idea was sprung. I gathered a few of my most trusted associates, and we had a massive brainstorm sesh (that’s an abbrev for session) with the focus on ways to enhance this post. What follows is a smattering of important dates and events in bold, along with some interesting tid-bits, fun facts, and an opportunity for you to be the central focus of a Camp Gray party. Yeah, YOU. Enjoy!

May 1st – Summer Camp fee balance due in full

The first of May, as you probably know, is MAY DAY! On May Day each year, we ask that those that are sending campers to Summer Camp pay off your camper fee balance. If you have any questions about payment, please get in touch with Tricia. During yesterday’s uber-productive brainstorm, I learned that May Day is a day in which ding-dong ditching is not only accepted, it’s encouraged – well, so long as you leave a flower, or a plethora of flowers on the front porch. Hey, Camp Gray peeps, let’s team up and spread some joy by doing some flower-leaving ding-dong ditching on May 1st. Email us a picture of your flower-leaving and we’ll post a few to our facebook and twitter pages.

May 4th – Camp Gray Work Day

May the Fourth be with you. Each year at Camp Gray, on a Saturday in late spring, we invite the entirety of the Camp Gray family – yes, this includes YOU! – to join us at Camp to help prepare the grounds of Camp for Summer Camp. There’s never a shortage of work to be done, and there’s never a shortage of food served to our generous volunteers during lunch. Because CG Work Day this year is scheduled for May 4th, and because that’s a big day in the lives of those that call themselves Star Wars fans (which I do), we invite you to come armed and ready with your best Star Wars apparel. An afternoon viewing of “The Return of the Jedi” won’t occur, but using Star Wars quotes throughout the day will be strongly encouraged.

So, will you join us on May 4th? Please RSVP if you you’ll be joining us!

Remember:
“Do or do not, there is no try.” -Yoda

May 12th – Camp Gray Open House

The spring schedule at Camp Gray is rather busy with rental groups and retreats filling the calendar. One of the few days each spring that never gets booked is Mother’s Day. What better way to spend the day with Mom then by coming out to Camp Gray for our annual spring OPEN HOUSE?! Frankly, there isn’t a better way. Meet the staff, tour the grounds, and get a better feel for what Summer Camp at Camp Gray is all about. We’re told time and time again that campers return home after their time at Camp Gray with better manners. Plus, after their time competing for the coveted CG Golden Toilet Seat™, they’re more accomplished cleaners, as well. One could argue that sending your campers to Camp Gray is actually the best gift a mother could ever receive – so come on out to Camp Gray on Mother’s Day to get a taste of that gift.

May 15th – Health history form and waiver due

Here at Camp Gray, we are strong advocates for good health. Do you see us serving “morn-dogs” anymore? Exactly.

With that in mind, on this big day – the day that HEALTH history forms and waivers are due for those of you that are sending your campers to Camp Gray – the year-round crew at CG is going to party in the name of good health.

What will this daylong celebration entail? Well friend, that’s where you come in. We want you to help us decide how to celebrate on this special day.

Here’s the sitch (that’s an abbrev for situation):
We posted a link to this blog on the CG facebook page and on Camp’s twitter feed. If you “like” the post on facebook or “favorite” the post on twitter, we’ll put your name into a drawing to win. If you “share” the post on facebook or “retweet” on twitter, your name will be entered THREE times to win.

On Thursday, April 25th, at 9:30am CST, the winning name will be drawn. If your name is drawn, the Health History Form and Waiver Day Celebration will be in your honor. What does this mean?

– You’ll get to pick the theme of the wardrobe that the year-round staff will wear all day.
– At the culminating party to end this daylong celebration, you will get to pick the theme of the food that will be served. The party, of course, will be held at Camp’s Mother Teresa Health Center.
– In addition to choosing the food, you’ll choose the overall theme of the party and the genre of music that will be played.
– Lastly, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a song that we’ll choreograph a dance to. Yes, a video of the dance will be taken and premiered on facebook/twitter.

It’s going to be a rocking great day, and we thank you for participating!

Well friends, thanks for reading through the entirety of this blog!

Next week, we invite you to come on back to read – in great detail – the story of the journey of the production of the forthcoming Camp Gray music CD. Quite the journey it has been, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.

Peace!

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Do you have questions (about CG, sports, faith, coffee… anything!) for the semi-regular Tuesdays with Topher mailbag? Email! Thanks to those that have already emailed over questions!  Check out the latest mailbag by clicking here.