Dear Camper: Letters from Our Staff

The osrui blog

Home » Dear Camper: Letters from Our Staff

by Libby Fisher, Communications Manager

As we creep closer and closer to Opening Day, our tzevet (staff) are learning about the chanichim (campers) who will join us. This morning, our Kallah tzevet took a moment to share some personal thoughts during t’filot (services) in the form of letters to the incoming chanichim. Take a look at a sample of their thoughts below, and keep getting excited for Monday!

Dear Camper,

Monday is your big day,

And I want you to know there’s nothing in your way.

I know it may be scary, I know you’re a bit afraid,

But know that it’s normal and I’m here if you need aid.

There are a lot of kids like you, it’s their first day!

But just remember – everything’s gonna be okay.

So take a deep breath, a big step, and smile, and who knows?

Maybe your next best friend’s gonna be a Kyle, a Sam, or a Joe!

Your madricha (counselor),

Nastia

***

Dear Camper,

This is the greatest place in the world.
You may not know it yet but in 3 years, when your friend group back home falls apart and rebuilds itself again, your camp family will be there to help you through it, though they may be half a world away.
In 7 years, when your first love breaks your heart, you will find yourself at 2 am talking to camp friends that will help stop your tears. The same friends that stay on the phone until you fall asleep. And the same friends that welcome you with a hug and tears of joy on opening day.
In 9 years, during your first year on staff, your camp family will be there to help you remember how to stay calm when a camper LITERALLY WON’T STOP PUTTING STUFF IN THEIR MOUTH. I mean, really? Do they LIKE how dirt tastes??
But regardless of where you are in 3, 7, 9 years, your camp family will be there.
From your madrich,
Kyle
***

Libby Fisher is OSRUI’s summer Communications Manager, helping our community get a window into our summer experience. Libby spent her summers as a camper, staff member, and Unit Head at OSRUI.  Thanks to her experiences at camp, Libby is now studying to become a rabbi at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati, OH.