At Camp Airy, respect is more than just a word — it’s a foundation. It’s how we build strong bunk communities, share meals in the dining hall, cheer each other on during the Olympics, and come together for Friday night celebrations. Respect is what helps turn a group of campers and staff into something greater: a caring and connected community.

What does respect look like and sound like at camp? Respect at camp means listening before speaking. It means holding the door, saying “thank you,” cleaning up after ourselves, and showing kindness even when we disagree. It means honoring differences, appreciating others’ stories, and understanding that every person here belongs. It means apologizing for a mistake and committing to doing better next time. 

We see respect in action when a returning camper helps a first-timer feel at home. When a counselor models patience and empathy. When a group works together to solve a problem or clean a space they all share. So many of the values that we strive to emulate over the course of a summer reinforce each other. Looking back one week, there is some hospitality in respect, and vice versa.

When we practice respect, camp feels more like home. And when we bring that spirit back to our lives outside of camp, the world feels a little more like Airy.

Each week, our Shabbat leaders Dan and Gerry spend some time at lineup telling us all about the middah of the week, and about the nomination process by which we recognize a “Mensch on a Bench.” Campers and staff alike can nominate anyone.

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 microbursts via your Campanion app.

Shavuah Tov — have a good week,

Marty