How have 2 weeks of Summer 2024 already passed? I was telling the campers and staff during our Friday night Shabbat service that camp would feel a little less crowded this weekend – we said goodbye to 40 friends who were 2-weekers, and we would have to wait until Sunday morning to welcome 40 more. Nevertheless, our “Bim Bam” was loud and the singing and dancing that followed was energetic!

The middah this week has been RESPECT. Respect at camp takes many forms – we see it in the way both campers and staff respect each other, as well as our shared campus and buildings. Bunks and units collaborate for a campwide clean-up – regardless of the assigned area, community members put in the effort. It’s not about the fact that some trash may need to be handled – it’s about the shared responsibility and reciprocal work.

When we get to camp and go from our smaller families to our bigger bunks and units, it’s natural for there to be growing pains. But since we are always trying to interact with each other respectfully, I know we are quicker to settle differences and enjoy summers together. People trust each other, assume good intent, and squabbles end faster.

We hosted several guests in camp this past week or so – day camp visitors from Temple Rodef Shalom, and trainers working with trainees and staff on both lifeguarding and counseling skills. It is heartwarming to hear guests say how respectful our community members are. By being good listeners and participating actively, we are respecting another person’s hard work and timelines. This respect builds a relationship where camp can call upon these partners time and again. And it enhances our reputation as a camp filled with mensches.

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.

Some of those images accompany this blog post. Congratulations to these RESPECT 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 microposts via your Campanion app.

Shavuah Tov – have a good week,

Marty