Camp Green Lane 100th Summer Blog Post, July 15th

The pierogies record is safe.

A few summers ago, a camper named Eric Stierman ate 42 potato-filled dumplings at lunch while his bunkmates kept count on a paper plate. The feat is now one of many that are part of Camp Green Lane lore, and it’s something we remember—and try to challenge—every summer when Chef Justin sends those plates of pierogies out of the kitchen.

Nobody came close this week.

Landon in the Mets was all smiles after taking down 26 while his bunkmates counted out each one. But 42 is a number I think may stand forever.

Records here at camp are special. Whether it’s the number of pierogies you eat at lunch or how fast you can get the quad around the track in a single lap (congrats, Leo, who clocked in with a CGL-record 24 seconds this week), these little victories are the true magic of a CGL summer.

We do special things all day here. Things that we’ll remember forever. Like Leo ripping that quad around, or his friend Landon going for No. 26. Or like when a frog jumped across the path in front of Hershey up at Archery and Merritt scooped it up in her hand so everyone else could get a closer look.

Today was Camp Kindness Day, which has been celebrated nationwide since 2018, but has become an annual tradition here at CGL. The day highlights intentional kindness, empathy and compassion practiced daily in the camp community. We celebrate here at camp by writing kind messages on the Kindness Wall, writing letters to our friends and decorating all the paths around the Canteen with chalk messages of kindness.

There’s always a lot of love at camp, but on Kindness Day, you can literally see it.

Tonight, the Greeks return from their trip and I’m so excited. Anytime anyone leaves camp, if it’s for a day or a week, we feel it. The Greeks have been gone all week, and CGL has missed their spirit and their presence, and I’m excited for them to get back and tell us all about the adventures they’ve had. I’m also excited for camp to be whole again, and for them to take back their jobs. We’re tired!

But seriously, I am excited for them to return.

I wonder if they had pierogies.

—Uncle Evan