Hi, my name is Sydney Spiegel. This year, being my 4th summer as a counselor at Camp Mahanayim, I have watched the growth of both the camp and all the campers. This camp gives the campers a fun day and leaves them with life long friendships with other campers and their counselors. At camp, the staff’s goal is to make every camper have a great time, and encourage them find it in themselves to do things they never thought they could. A story about camp that I think about often was a couple summer ago when the camp went to Magic Mountain. As most of you know, Magic Mountain is a roller coaster park, with some slow, medium, and extreme levels of rides. Naturally, every camper had their own preference in what level they were most comfortable in, and we place them into groups accordingly so that everyone will have fun! I was leading the medium level group that day, and we went on many roller coasters and water rides. The very last ride of the day was the most extreme that we had been on.The appearance of the ride scared a couple of campers, so since they had been on all the medium rides, and enjoyed them, I encouraged them to try this last ride, because I would never take them somewhere that was too extreme. Even though they at first were unsure if they could do it, they trusted me as their counselor to protect them. By the end of that ride, every single one of them wanted to go on the ride again and realized that it was not extreme at all! It was interesting, because the groups were made up of campers from grades 3-6. Even though I was only the 4th grade counselor at the time, they all treated me and trusted me like I was their own counselor. Today, they still come up to me both during the school year, and camp and we still talk about that day; the day that they conquered their fears and realized that they could all do anything they put their minds too.
Share a fun or memorable story from your campers experience in the comment section.
I have one enthusiastic camper who said her favorite camp memories are swimming with her friends and of course the Monkey camp cheer! But most heart-warming to me... when I asked her about her favorite camp memories she gasped (oh yes, she gasped) and her face lit up! Just hearing camp makes this young camper stop in her tracks and smile wide!
ReplyDeleteAs a mom my favorite memory was superhero day. Not easy for girls - so we found everything pink in her closet and called her SUPERPINK... superpowers included: sassy eye rolling and a heightened fashion sense to know what is in an out!! (Klum accent inserted here!)
Can't wait for camp!
I could list about 100 camp memories that play in my head as I prepare for camp and reflect upon past summers.
ReplyDeleteLast summer, I remember one particular Morning Circle which I had the pleasure of taking part in as oppose to popping in and out of. All of the campers were entering Hershenson Hall, greeting their friends and counselors, playing gaga, tossing around balls, and running around. As our Judaic Director got on the microphone and began singing Modeh Ani everything halted and all campers made their way to their group area. We continued to sing, dance, and enjoy one another's company. It is these everyday joys which are so special and stand out to me.