As we wrap up our third summer as staff members, we can confidently say that it has yet again been filled with unforgettable and everlasting memories. Reflecting on our time as campers, the idea of becoming counselors once seemed almost impossible. The magic we felt, something so special in our hearts, appeared unlikely to continue after our time as Kibbutzniks in two thousand and nineteen. There was a longing inside us, though, wishing for that feeling again, ultimately bringing us back. Now, we realize that our last day of Kibbutz was not the end, but the beginning of our next chapter at GFC.
Today is the final Shabbat of summer two thousand and twenty-four, and not only are we still making new memories, but we are also creating for our campers the magical moments that kept bringing us back. We have both had the opportunity to be counselors for the same unit multiple years in a row. Watching our campers grow has been incredibly rewarding, and the connections we have made are unlike any other. For the past decade, Shabbat evenings have been what we look forward to the most. The feeling of being surrounded by those you love, watching the sunset, and singing prayers in the Beit Knesset is a rare and cherished experience that we can only have a few times a year. It is safe to say that Shabbat on staff is just as special as when we were campers, and it is still spent with some of our closest friends.
For us, camp truly is ‘the Shabbat of the year.’ That is because of the countless memories we made as campers, the counselors who stuck with us year after year, and the campers we continue to come back for. Obviously we cannot forget about singing “Stars In The Sky” at campfire, tie-dyeing with Suzie, and of course, all the traditions we were taught and are actively carrying on. These are just a few aspects of what makes camp magical and why it has been so important for us to keep returning. None of this would be possible without the family we have made here over the past ten and thirteen summers.
As we sit here on this final Shabbat, we both are reminiscing on how amazing each and every summer has been for us. In a few days, we will both be back at home, feeling empty that it is over yet thankful for the new memories made. Greene Family Camp will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we would not be the people we are today without experiencing the beauty of camp magic.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ben Cooper and Emma Goldberg, GFC Alumni, Staff Members, and Marketing Interns