And just what is it about going to camp that can make it among the most influential opportunities for young people? It’s not the program or schedule (with due respect to those of us who work so hard to prepare these items). I don’t even think it’s the time away (sometimes attending one session for 2 weeks is a provocative as returning year-after-year for the whole summer). Rather – beyond the games that are played, the materials that are taught, or the skills that are acquired – the strength of the camping experience is the very atmosphere (as several of my friends call it, “drinking the Kool-Aid"). Chatting with a dear long-time camp friend a few days ago, I was reminded of a phrase that emerged in conversation last year: when it comes to camp, the setting is the text (thanks DL). From the facility itself (good or bad), the complaints about the food or bugs, the openness that young people often feel while being “away from home” to the freedom of one’s own self-expression, it is the different, special, and experimental nature of the environment that allows, promotes, such potent encounters to take place.
Nothing represents this suggestion more so than the relationships that are developed in the camp setting: between counselors and campers, among the staff, with the rabbis or specialists and other “additional” members of the community; and none more significant than the bonds developed among peers – the other kids in the bunk, or tent, or unit. To this day, I am blessed that so many of the people dearest and closest to me are my camp friends. A lot of years have passed, and these connections remain. In many cases, these friendships have continued to deepen – either having been maintained over the years, or reignited more recently (to this point, I was interrupted while writing this sentence by a phone call from one such old friendJ).
I loved being part of the Eisner camp for so many summers. These days I am delighted to serve the URJ’s Olin-Sang-Ruby camp (to support OSRUI, see http://osrui.urjcamps.org/give/). Camp remains important to me – not only because of my ongoing involvement as a faculty member; more so at this stage, because I see how positive camp is for my own children, and the young members of my congregation. I was fortunate that my family had the ability to send me to camp for those years (you can support URJ Eisner Camp at http://eisner.urjcamps.org/give/). Now we all have the ability and responsibility to assure that the power of Jewish camping is an experience provided to every one of our precious youngsters (to support Jewish camp generally, see http://www.jewishcamp.org/).
I know many of you have also enjoyed amazing, challenging, fun and funny experiences at camp. I’d LOVE for you to share one here, so we can enjoy those memories together.
Let's see: Having you as an awesome Assitant Unit Head when we were in Olim. But seriously, coming together in a place where no matter what we were doing, we were all Jewish together. There's something about Jewish camping that just sticks with you.
ReplyDeleteAt the 50th reunion, I saw people I hadn't seen in 15-20 years, yet being at camp with all of them was like stepping back in time. We all just fell back in step with life at camp, but at the same time we were still living in the here and now.
Not sure if it makes any sense, but you were there, so you probably know what I mean.
Miss you Eric.
Beth (Newman) Adler
Summer camp was one of the most influential parts of my life. Camp was my opportunity to connect with other young Jewish people and have a living Jewish experience, which was also fun and interesting. It played a major role in shaping my positive Jewish identity and encouraging Jewish values.
ReplyDeleteOn top of all that, many of the friendships I made have lasted decades. Among some of my closest friends are those who I shared my summer camp experiences.
There are so many memories to share from my summers at Camp Eisner. I don't even know where to start. I think the thing that always sticks with me is the memory of everyone descending on the outdoor sanctuary for Shabbat services - all that white! What a beautiful sight. The music too - all of the songs I learned in camp - Jewish and non-Jewish - I hear those songs now and am instantly transported back in time. Last year a group of us who went to camp in the late 70's/early 80's got together and as soon as Steven Meltzer (may he rest in peace) started playing the guitar - it was as if we were all 15 again!
ReplyDeleteMy 9 yo daughter will be going to Eisner for what I hope will be the first of many summers this August. I can only hope that in 30 years she too has such happy and vivd memories.
I am not a URJ camp alumna, but have witnessed first-hand the positve impact of camp. DH (you know him) spent many years at Harlam and Eisner, and continues as Harlam faculty to this day. He still has many camp friends, and continues to make new ones every summer.
ReplyDeleteOur kids are both Harlamites, and it's safe to say that both of them have been positively influenced by their time there. As RKs in an area that isn't very Jewish, it's nice for them to go to camp and not be the only ones.
There is summer camp, and there is Jewish summer camp. Summer camp is a growth experience by itself, but Jewish summer camp...it's as if your entire religious school/Hebrew school experience suddenly became fun. Although I continued to learn and build upon my Jewish education (trips to Israel, college Hillel, grad school Hillel, lay cantor of a small congregation, etc.), there are songs that I have hardwired into my brain that I know came from Shabbat around a campfire.
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