By Kathy Schwartz, Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Har HaShem in Boulder, CO

“I’m very proud of myself for sleeping in a tent.  It was a new experience. I was really scared but I overcame it.  I wasn’t sure I would like being outside, but it was so fun.  I will definitely return next year.”

One of the chanichim (campers), shared these words during the morning t’filah (services) her group led for Kibbutz HaTzofim, one of the eidot (units). Others shared about the great friendships they formed and the great activities they did.   So many chanichim ooze a love of camp that it is easy to get caught up in the fun. But as a parent and a member of the segel (faculty), I am keenly aware of the other reason the campers love camp: they gain a sense of independence and recognize that they have done something that, for each of them individually, is hard. They are away from home without a parent or relative for the first time. They have to remember to put everything they need for swimming in their backpacks.  They are asked to navigate mealtime: making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if they don’t want the tacos. They have to know which clothes are clean and dirty (or not care). In kibbutz HaTzofim, the unit in which I am serving as segel (faculty), they have to set the tables and sleep in tents every night.  And they always have to clean up after themselves and sometimes their friends. Instead of finding these tasks burdensome, they are just as much part of the experience as tubing, climbing etgar, the challenge tower or any other of the myriad of activities they will try.  It is this newly gained independence and confidence that is one of the magical powers of summer here at OSRUI.

When I asked the chanichim to reflect on their experiences and what they will be taking home with them, they spoke with great pride about what they had accomplished. Yes, they learned a lot about teva (nature), our learning theme for the session, songs and Hebrew. But what they really learned was who they are and what they are able to do once they step out of their comfort zone.  A lot of kids, especially first time campers, are scared and homesick when they come to camp.  My own son was a first time camper this year and definitely felt that way.  But during my two weeks at OSRUI, I watched these chanichim grow in ways that I believe only possible at camp:

“I achieved so much more than I thought was possible, and had a much better experience than I thought.  I also felt a sense of camaraderie and friendship…”

“What I will take away from camp is all the friendships, the learning and chances I took, the risk that I took making new friends and that they worked out.”

Parents in my congregation often remark to me how much bigger their kids look when they come home from camp.  They may not actually be physically taller, but they certainly have grown.