When we hear about the magic of camp, we often think about the big ideas. Shabbat. Spectacular Day. Maccabiah (not this year though!). However, the little moments in between these events truly shape the people we become after camp.
Growing up I was always a sporty kid, but at camp it felt different. Spending countless hours in the Newlam playing basketball judgement free, allowing me to hone my skills, play against the boys and older campers, and hearing the cheers from the bleachers made the work I was putting in feel more momentous and impactful. GFC also allowed me to try new sports such as fencing, roller-blading, and beach volleyball, which helped me gain new skills (balance, strategy, and footwork) that I could use on the basketball court that I would not have learned anywhere else. Eventually, all of this hard work enabled me to play NCAA basketball at New York University, and accomplish an even greater feat – become the Basketball Specialist at GFC.
I now work as a development manager at an organization called Team IMPACT, which matches kids with serious illnesses and disabilities to college sports teams. This job combines my two biggest passions – sports and working with kids and families. Just this past month, I had the opportunity to plan two field days for over 300 kids, and when I was out of ideas and at a roadblock in the planning process, I quickly turned to old evening programs my counselors planned for me and program outlines I created for my campers. Remembering the immense excitement I felt at camp immediately brought back the joy to my job, and I can’t wait to share the camp magic with a new group of kids and college-athletes learning the importance of giving back to their community.
GFC has transformed me into the leader I am today. The support you receive from counselors, peers, and the environment camp creates allows you to try new things, feed off the encouragement from your friends, and learn how to live and work as a team. This version of camp magic has transformed me into the successful woman I am today. I hope you will consider giving to Greene Family Camp on the upcoming Camp Giving Day (May 7) to create this same camp magic for the next generation at a place where every Jewish kid can grow into the best versions of themselves and continue to make the world a better place.
Shabbat Shalom,
Zoe Makler
Zoe at Team IMPACT Field Day