By Rabbi Jill Crimmings, Rabbi Educator and Interim Religious School Director at Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnetonka, MN and Kallah Segel

 

It can be difficult to send your child away to camp for two, four, or even eight weeks!  There are so many unknowns.  Who will his counselors be?  Will she like the other kids in her cabin?  Will the other kids like her? Will he eat the food? Remember to put on sunscreen?

 

It takes faith, not only for campers, but also for parents to entrust counselors who we have never met with the emotional, spiritual, and physical well being of our children.   Faith, I believe, is not about knowing for certain that things are going to be perfect; that our kids will have the best summer of their lives. Faith requires some level of uncertainty.  Faith asks us to acknowledge the unknown and still decide to take the risk, praying that the journey ahead will be full of meaning.  And WOW, is the risk of summer camp worth it.

 

As a member of segel (faculty) here at OSRUI, I feel grateful to be part of th e camp community as both a participant and an observer.  I get to engage with madrichim (counselors) and chanichim (campers) throughout the day and also get to watch as the madrichim step up as the primary caregivers for their chanichim.  In only one week here at camp, the madrichim have learned endless information about their chanichim.  They know what they enjoy and what they do not.  They know what they like to eat, who likes to sing, and who has a hard time falling asleep.  And the chanichim, in return, trust them so innately.  They look up to them and try to emulate them in a beautiful way.  The relationship between a chanich and a madrichis truly unique.  It is unlike that between a parent and a child, or a teacher and a child, or even an older sibling and younger sibling.  The relationship is what, particularly for our youngest chanichim in Kallah, our youngest camper unit, provides them the security to branch out and discover who they are, to try something new, and meet new friends.

 

The madrichim this year in Kallah have blown me away! Their enthusiasm is inspiring and has made this opening session truly incredible. Everywhere I look, I see a madrich sitting with a chanich, sharing stories, or asking about their day. They bring excitement to every activity and take the initiative without being asked.  The Kallah chanichim are in comforting, caring, and capable hands and their experience is being elevated by the talents and support of their madrichim. 

 

If you don’t believe me, put your faith in the words of our Kallah chanichim.  Here’s what they have to say about their madrichim:

 

• “They are caring and they help us.”

• “They always have something funny to share about themselves.”

• “They make me laugh.”

• “They are all good at at least one sport, especially gaga. Oh and waterskiing. And Horseback riding!”

• “They are funny, nice, and kind.”

• “They make me feel better if I am sad.” 

• “They help us make sure we are on time otherwise we would be super late to everything.”

• “They help me.”

 

It has been a joy to see these special relationships bloom and grow.  I know that they will last a lifetime!