In the promotional materials that we have for camp, we tout that Camp Airy campers will find something they love to do – we have almost everything under the sun to appeal to a camper’s adventurous, athletic or creative interests. Those are things that we DO. But much of camp is also about how we FEEL, and the sense of community (and fun) created by campers and staff. When we pause from our fast-paced week each Shabbat, those relationships and connections are crystalized.

For Summer 2023 Week 1, our “middah” (value) of the week has been TEAMWORK. It was not hard to see it personified almost anywhere you looked as we welcomed in Shabbat.

From the dinnertime blessings over candles, wine and challah, to the music-filled service on Village Row, and then the energetic song and dance session, there was wave after wave of TEAMWORK. Our dining services staff made it possible for 2 meal shifts to come through the dining tent for an organized and tasty Shabbat meal featuring brisket and latkes. Staff colleagues from the same unit or department stepped up to read or lead in the service. Bunkmates circled up for a rousing chorus of “Big Rig” or our concluding “Goodnight Song.” CITs joined assistant director Zac to teach the camp a new dance.

(And while most of camp slept in on Saturday morning, our facilities team made the rounds to collect bags of laundry off of bunk porches.)

Teamwork leads to a smooth opening day, and a fun carnival for all of Camps Airy & Louise, and carefully thought out schedules for both regular and rainy days. Teamwork is at the core for co-counselors who jelled during staff orientation, and bunkmates who were (re)introduced on Sunday.

During Saturday morning Shabbat services, we take time to recognize nominated campers and staff who demonstrated the middah of the week. Those “mensches” (good, selfless people) are awarded certificates, a bracelet naming the value in English and Hebrew, and a photo opportunity together with the Mensch mascot doll.

That picture accompanies this blog post. Congratulations to these mensches!

Please keep following what’s going on up at camp through our wide array of information – emailed updates from Unit Leaders and Division Heads, Facebook and Instagram posts, daily posted photos, and our new microbursts via your Campanion app.

Shavuah Tov – have a good week,