Back home – July 16th
Although we’re running indoor programming, the spirits aren’t affected one iota. Everybody is just so happy to be back at camp. Kadima and B’Yachad continue to glow from their trips, and now they’re diving into play rehearsals and the major Avodah projects that are such an important part of each program. And our third session campers, the seasoned veterans that most of them are, are simply basking in the joy of being here. Of course, the water skiers want to be water skiing, the rock climbers want to be rock climbing, and the field sports crowd wants to be..field sporting.
It was like a rainy day without the rain, or I should say, a dewey day without the dew (if you’re new to our community, it never rains at Herzl Camp, it only heavy dews) and without the puddles to jump in. But the laughter was still there, and the ruach is as present as ever.
Like I said, we have mostly veteran campers here this session, and I find it so heart-filling to watch these kids come back as though they just left yesterday. I think I said the same thing last year, and here I am making the same observation again. I always try to come up with new material, but there’s just something so special about coming home.
Some campers may not be in a cabin with a friend they made last summer, but they know, or they’ll quickly discover, that new friendships are always just around the corner. That’s one of the beautiful things about Herzl Camp. It doesn’t take long before cabins become families and new friends become lifelong friends. Even some of our brand-new campers already look like they’ve been here for a week. Before you know it, everyone belongs.
We are so proud that these kids have found a home here, a place where they feel safe, where they can be as goofy as they want, and where they’re free from so much of the judgment, or at least the perceived judgment, that can exist in the outside world. Most importantly, they get to embrace their Judaism, they get to embrace Israel. Because it’s cool to be Jewish and we’re lucky to have Israel!
The Hanhallah (Camp leadership) checked in with every cabin tonight, and I can sincerely tell you that all is going exceptionally well (some are cleaner than others, but Rate-a-Room starts tomorrow). The forecast is looking promising for tomorrow and we are already feeling the welcomed breeze coming from the south. I expect to hear boats running, kids splashing, and games playing.
Of course, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on the outdoors and will adjust accordingly, with all the Ruach and Herzl Magic your camper deserves.
Thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp!
All is well. Safely rest.
לילה טוב,
Tommy