by Scott Goode, Asst. Director of Education & Youth Engagement at Temple Chai in Long Grove, IL, and Mosh Aleph faculty

This past week, I have had the privilege of serving on faculty for Moshavat HaTeva (Mosh for short) – a unit at OSRUI. The unit is comprised of approximately fifty-five 8th and 9th grade campers who for four weeks, choose to live in big canvas army tents with no electricity or AC and spend the majority of their time outside – eating, learning, praying, and hanging out with their friends. And if that wasn’t enough of a push outside a typical thirteen year old’s comfort zone, these young adults also choose to go on three different wilderness trips – climbing at Devils Lake, biking the southern Wisconsin bike trails, hiking in the Kettle Moraine Forest, and canoeing on the Black River.

It seems like a lot for these kids, and many of their parents, family members, and friends think that. But having been part of Mosh since 2004 as a counselor, trip leader, and now faculty, it’s just what these kids do – and they do it really well. Yes these trips challenge them in all manners of physical, mental, and emotional ways. But the counselors of Moshavah are superb leaders who know how and when to press their campers so they can achieve their goals. And it’s never a surprise when a camper achieves their goal, a trip goes well, or we conclude a successful session.

So what then did I learn about thirteen-year olds this year as a first time faculty member that I hadn’t already known? Well, it had to do with my one and a half year old daughter. These teens acted very much as leaders and role models for her. They showed far greater patience than I can usually muster, showing her how to do the different activities at camp and just being there for her. Even the “macho” and super shy campers were involved with engaging with her. Every one of them wanted to help her. I was in awe watching these kids transform right before my eyes into mature caring people.

As a parent, I was blown away by this maturity. As a faculty member, I was thrilled.

OSRUI is a special place. The programs here push kids to continually learn and seek out new and challenging experiences, and they rise far above expectations. So the next time you are with a thirteen year old at your congregation, school, or just in life general, know that they have greatness in them and that they can rise up to challenging new situations and demonstrate great maturity. I know because I get to see it every day here in Moshavat HaTeva.