Shabbat Shalom, Camp Louise!

Junior Campers look up to Senior Campers. All campers look up to CITs (counselors-
in-training). Counselors look up to A-Team (our Administrative Team). You can see
leadership all around the mountains of camp!

This week we focused on leadership/manhigut for our Middah of the Week.

And what a perfect week to do so! We had Color Games where each of our four teams
are led by captains, co-captains, and CIT lieutenants. Campers and staff on each team
compete in sports competitions at the pool and on the field, artistic banners, dramatic
skits, team songs and cheers, and my all-time favorite – silent lunch!

Our CITs are constantly involved in leadership opportunities around camp. Thursday
night was CIT Mystery Night where Junior Camp worked on solving a mystery – by
watching skits performed by the CITs. This year, the mystery was – who stole all the ice
cream from canteen?! You’ll have to ask a Junior Camper to find out the answer!

And then today, our CITs participated in this decades-long tradition of raising the
American flag in the Dining Hall. Younger campers look toward the CITs as they start to
envision themselves as CITs taking part in this ceremony.

I love all of it! And those are just the big examples of leadership. There are so many
other moments too. Last night, we honored 11 campers for demonstrating leadership
during the week, and they came up to light candles with me during our Shabbat
services. Here are some of the reasons they were nominated:

• Helping others in the bunk, always sharing, willing and wanting to help others
  with their jobs, always listening to directions
• Being the first to volunteer
• Recognizing an issue and creating a solution quickly and effectively
• Helping bunkmates pack their bags for the day
• Stepping up in Color Games when the team needed some spirit with amazing
  chants
• Being inclusive, always trying their hardest to be kind, and keeping everyone
  feeling positive
• Helping to show other campers how to fold their items
• Setting an amazing example for bunkmates to follow
• Being a role model for younger campers – during Counselor Hunt, making sure
  everyone was close together, drinking water, and staying safe
• Helping and supporting a younger camper during a difficult moment at Color
  Games
• Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in the unit and making sure
  everyone is included in conversations

Hard to believe another week has come and gone!

Shabbat Shalom,
Alicia