At camp, our “Middah of the Week” practice shines a spotlight on a core value, and then we set out to catch people in the act of being awesome by living it. For Week 4, our focus has been GRATITUDE.

When we introduced the middah on Saturday, I shared a bit of perspective. I explained that on July 13, Camp Airy (and Louise) would be welcoming over 150 families for our annual Camper in Training Day. I then asked for a show of hands from campers and staff whose first experience with camp was attending one of these days. Many hands went up.

I followed up by tying together the values we’ve focused on so far:

“When prospective families visit camp and can see and feel our hospitality (Week 1), friendship (Week 2), and joy (Week 3), it naturally leads to gratitude (Week 4).”

There’s something special about growing our camp family. We’re grateful when new families choose us, and they’re grateful to be welcomed so warmly. It’s a beautiful, mutual feeling.

Although we won’t be celebrating Shabbat together this week, we did take time to recognize our Mensch on a Bench recipients—campers and staff who were nominated by their peers for exemplifying the week’s value. These “mensches” (good, selfless people) receive a certificate, a bracelet naming the value in English and Hebrew, and a photo with our Mensch mascot.

Some of those smiling faces are featured in this blog’s photo. Congratulations to our GRATITUDE mensches!

As we close out the first four weeks of Summer 2025, we can look back on these four middot—and so many others—as the foundation of the Airy experience. Camp Airy is unlike anywhere else: a place where people ages 7 to 70 sing, play, and grow together. We’re on a first-name basis. And from the moment you set foot on this mountain and climb the hill, you become a full-fledged member of this community. Membership here comes with some of the best perks imaginable—family, friendship, fun, and another place to call home.

I’m proud to be part of the team that brings the Airy experience to life. It’s an honor to work alongside this incredible staff and help create a meaningful summer for our campers.

Enjoy the rest of the summer—and hurry back to Airy in 2026!

Marty