My connection to camp started when I was about eleven. That first summer in Bonim wasn’t the easiest for me, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever come back. But two years later I decided to try again, and that summer changed everything. I made friends, felt at home, and finally understood why people loved this place so much. From then on, camp became a constant in my life.
I missed Kibbutz in the summer of 2020 like so many others, but the following year brought something completely new…the very first Chalutzim session. It didn’t replace the experience I had hoped for in Kibbutz, but it was still one of the most memorable summers I’ve had.
Later I joined Avodah, which gave me a whole new appreciation for how camp works behind the scenes. The next year I became a counselor. Working with kids pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, and after that summer I decided to step back and figure out what I wanted to do next. I tried college, worked different jobs, and eventually chose to spend a year in Israel. I took classes, interned in two bakeries, and learned a lot about myself along the way.
While I was in Israel, I talked with Lainey about returning to camp in a different role. She suggested logistics, and it turned out to be exactly where I belonged. When I came back, it felt like stepping into the right place at the right time. I loved the work, the pace, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. I must have been doing something right, because I was invited back for the next summer, and I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Working behind the scenes at camp is fun for me, and I know that my contribution to creating camp magic counts for something.
Camp has shaped me in more ways than I can count. It’s where I’ve grown up, found lifelong friends, and discovered what it feels like to truly belong. There is nowhere I’d rather be.