Until Next Summer, Camp Louise!

For our final week of the summer, we focused on one of my absolute favorite middot – kindness/chesed.

What a fitting way to end the summer!  There were SO many campers nominated this week, and 11 of them were selected to light candles with me for showing true kindness to their bunkmates and counselors.  Something that always strikes me each week is the response from the community as people are recognized.  When I call the names of the candle lighters and read out how each one demonstrated the middah of the week, the pure joy and excitement for their friends is breathtaking as they congratulate each other, smile, cheer and acknowledge the accomplishments of others.  I just love it!  That kindness that we show to others is what camp is all about, and I am so very proud to be a part of a community that consistently celebrates others!

As we close out the season, it is a huge time of reflection for everyone at camp including me – thinking about favorite parts of the summer, new connections formed, learning opportunities for so many and things to look forward to.

There have been tears as we celebrate lasts of 2023 – the last Friday night folkdance, the last babka dessert (a definite new favorite this year), the last call for seconds (but not before trainees have firsts) in the dining hall, the last free swim, the last handshake/hug/high 5 from our counselors, the last inspection, the last kickball game, the last last shower, the last time we walk hand in hand with a friend down the hill, the last time we all sing in unison “and friendship” during Shabbat services.

As we wind down our 101^st camp season and say good-bye to our friends, we start the countdown for Summer 2024.  And just as we show our kindness and congratulate our friends each week at camp, we cannot wait to do the same next year for Camp Airy as we celebrate their 100^th!  What a huge accomplishment for all of us!

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!

Alicia