Camp Green Lane 100th Summer Blog Post, July 19th

Today was Rookie Day. For many campers, today was their first experience here at Camp Green Lane. Every summer, a new group of campers join us for the day. They do all the best activities, they swim and make arts and crafts and they check out the lake and have a nice lunch at the picnic benches.

Many of them will return to become full-time campers, so today is always special to welcome so many new faces—and even some familiar ones, too. Like one of my former campers who came up today for his sons to experience camp for the first time.

Matt is hopeful his children will have the same experiences he had here 30 years ago. It was so nice to catch up with a former camper after all this time. My heart is full knowing those boys have continued to keep in touch and even plan an annual get-together to relive old times, and share new experiences. They’ve been at each other’s weddings and were there for the birth of their children. And now we’re hoping to see them again next year on Visiting Day.

I’m not sure how many Rookies met forever friends like that today. But I can guarantee if they come back next summer, those relationships and more are waiting for them.

I joke every summer that the Rookies might like to stay because they’re going to miss out some of the best fun of the summer after they’ve left.

Like tonight, when “Jamie Hill” debuts for evening activity. Many of you remember Freddy Hill, a trip we used to take for mini-golf and ice cream. Unfortunately, Freddy Hill closed after last summer, but Aunt Jamie is going to open the Canteen for make-your-own ice cream sundaes after we play mini-golf right here at camp.

And like tomorrow.

As we all know, Camp Green Lane is celebrating 100 years this summer. Well, tomorrow it’s going to be time to party in honor of #CGL100! A day of special events is planned, some secret and some I’m happy to share with you now.

There will be 100-year t-shirts for everyone in camp, there will be a Kona Ice truck for afternoon snack and then for dinner, we’re hosting The Pizza Wagon food trucks (yum!) before a fireworks show in the evening. We’re going to cap off the day with a centennial dance party on BB1. There will surely be surprises, too, so make sure you’re following all of CGL’s socials Monday for more coverage!

And if any Rookies want to come back, I don’t blame you one bit. The pizza is really outstanding.

—Uncle Evan