“Ten for two!” If you went to camp, or are the parent of a camper, you probably know what this means. Counting down ten months for the two months we spend back at camp. For ten years, “my” camp was my home away from home. I eagerly awaited opening day, enjoyed lake swims and high ropes and Shabbat and Maccabiah. I lived ten for two. This past summer marked my first at GFC, but after two months in Bruceville, I feel deeply grateful that ten for two has new meaning for me. I have the privilege of spending ten months of my year helping bring camp to life and I could not be more grateful to spend ten for two at GFC.
I am grateful that my job, as GFC’s Development Director, is to ensure that camp is a place of gratitude now and for years to come – a place where gratitude is part of our culture and mission. Spending ten for two now, professionally, allows me to reflect on my own gratitude — gratitude for the opportunity to give back to an organization I feel deeply connected to; gratitude for the community, space, and experiences GFC offers; gratitude for my own experiences as a URJ camper and counselor; gratitude that I get to raise Jewish children in a world where GFC exists as their second home. I also have even deeper gratitude than ever for the counselors, staff, lay leaders, volunteers, parents and of course, the campers, who bring camp to life. Seeing camp blossom with ruach (spirit) and activity this summer was magical, and I am excited to imbue the work I do with and for camp with this gratitude for another round of “ten for two.”
As I walked my dog, Posie, around camp recently, I recounted the many things about GFC that I am grateful for: sunsets over Lake Jake, campfire song sessions, tie-dye t-shirts, orange chicken, and the many, many traditions and experiences that make GFC special and meaningful. Mostly though I am grateful for all those who give their time, their talents, their skills, their energy, and their spirit to GFC all summer (and in many cases, all year) long. Thank you for making GFC so special, welcoming, warm, spirited and for helping shape the next generation of Reform Jews.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Lisa Smith
Development Director