Shabbat Shalom from Camp Airy!

A new session means a new group of faces on the mountain, and this week has been all about getting everyone settled in. Between meeting new bunkmates, finding the USH, learning the words to the goodnight song, and finding their footing at activities, our newest campers have had a lot thrown at them in just a few short days. Watching returning campers and staff step up to make that transition easier has been the best part of the week.

That’s exactly why this week’s middah, hospitality, felt like such a natural fit to kick things off. Hospitality at camp shows up in the small moments. It’s a returning camper scooting over to make room at the table for someone they just met. It’s a counselor showing their campers to the pool, or just someone taking the time to learn a new camper’s name and actually use it. None of it is complicated, but it’s the reason kids who walked in nervous on day one are already walking around like they’ve been here for years.

We also got to kick off the session together at the carnival, complete with fireworks lighting up the sky over the mountain. Games, fried Oreos, new friends, and a few hundred campers staring up in awe, it was the kind of night that reminds everyone why this place is special, and a great way to welcome our newest camp family members in.

At Saturday morning services, we recognized this week’s nominated campers and staff for embodying hospitality. These mensches earned their certificates, bracelets, and photo with the Mensch mascot, and you’ll see that picture along with this post.

As we head into Shabbat and another round of Havdallah and movie night, we’re looking forward to everything the next week has in store. Keep an eye out for your Unit Leader and Division Head emails, the daily photo dumps, Campanion microposts, and our usual social media updates.

Shabbat Shalom, and have a wonderful weekend!

Zac & Scott