Yesterday I arrived back at OSRUI - after a few back-and-forth trips over the past few weeks - a day early for my actual two week stint on faculty. Of course I'm very excited to be part of the dynamic camp community, to eat, play, pray, learn and grow with the children and adults who make up this vital setting.
Late yesterday we received word that one of our sister camps, URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) in Zionsville, IN had been struck by lightning earlier in the day. Three children were hurt, and of course the professional staff and emergency personnel acted quickly and effectively to treat them and secure the rest of their camp community.
Now, unlike other possible incidents at camp, it is truly more difficult to prepare and respond to such an act of nature like a lightning storm. Yet the hundreds and hundreds of people who are serving our camps across the continent are ready, even in a moment's notice, to do whatever it takes to make sure each child is not only safe and well cared for during their time away - and also that each precious kid's experience is fulfilling and meaningful. Another one of the reasons that URJ summer camp programming is the best of what our Reform movement has to offer. (Continue supporting this endeavor as best you can!)
Like the staff at GUCI, the adults that guide each of our Reform camps
have one first priority: the safety and well-being of the children who
attend. The full-time professional staff, the rabbis, educators and
cantors who serve as faculty, and especially the many young adults who
serve as program staff (counselors and specialists) are actively
dedicated to this most vital aspect of the camp experience. And this is
evident day-by-day and moment-by-moment throughout each session our
children are at camp. In light of yesterday's more critical event, we
just see this more sharply. Thoughts, prayers and kudos remain with the
outstanding colleagues and friends down at GUCI.
