When I decided to work at a Jewish sleepaway camp this summer, I had a wistful vision of how it’d go- I’d be the cool camp counselor that everyone would be around while shaping the lives of my campers. My main job at camp was to ensure the safety of all the campers while simultaneously making sure they always were accommodated and entertained. However, at the same time, I desperately wanted them to like me and think of me as their big sister- not a stuffy counselor.
Since it was a Jewish camp, it was a lot more spiritual than most sleepaway camps, but it was still filled with the same day-time activities (art-and-crafts and basketball). The campers got to have a lot of fun, but their experience was more structured than a normal camp. The first half of the program was centered around learning techniques; experts directly helped the kids develop leadership skills. The second half of the program was broken into sessions where the campers learned Jewish pastimes and prayers by a Rabbi. This was meant to amerce them into their Jewish culture.
My second job was fairly easy- to create meaningful Jewish experiences for the teens in the program. I basically facilitated sessions and made sure everything ran smoothly. As the days at camp went on, I watched the kids grow. This camp had acted as a catalyst for me- sparking my maturity and passion for my religion. And I could recognize it in them as well.
Their motivation was contagious. After only 12 days, I felt myself yearning to have the same meaningful experiences my campers were having. They delved head-first into the rituals at camp- running their own leadership discussion and planning their own Jewish-enriched programs. It was beautiful to watch.
I came into this experience with the notion that I would be the one shaping these kids, but little did I know that they would have a more resounding impact on me. Although I initially guided them through the programs, they were eager to take advantage of every opportunity this camp provided them and developed their own programs that outshone even my own.
Nothing could compare to the stimulation and intellect the programs these 15-year olds came up with on their own. I’m beyond proud to say I could be able to facilitate this kind of learning.
I didn’t fully understand the impact these high school students would have on me. I didn’t fully understand the impact the camp, as a whole, would have on me. Thankfully, I didn’t leave with the same vision I went in with. Even though I started off as a counselor and left as a big sister, I got way more out of it. I left not only as a stronger individual but also a more grateful one, I am forever indebted to Perlman.
