I spend the first few days of camp walking around, watching and listening. Who seems happy?

Who looks a little sad? Which madrichim need a pat on the back or a kind word? After a year of planning, the campers arrive and for a few days, my job as director is to watch, to spy a little bit, and to see how things are developing. I shuttle from place to place, engaging in quick, touch-base conversations with staff members and longer conversations with campers of all ages. It is hard to believe just how much a person can see and hear about in two days when that is the focus of their job. Here is just a sampling: A high energy, excellent Shira (song) and Ruach (spirit) in the Chadar Ochel Bet. That is where our Bogrim (entering 9th graders) and Machon (entering 10th graders) eat. Campers and staff members were totally energized and loving it. I walk into the Atzmayim Lounge where our Tikvah Vocational Program meets. I listen as each of the participants, graduates of our Tikvah program, describe their first day at work in town or in camp. They are very excited about their new responsibilities and are also able to articulate their concerns. They are so appreciative of my being there and I am embarrassed because I feel so blessed to be listening to them. Tag played three different ways by our newest campers, Aidat HaKochavim who are entering 4th grade. They are happy and excited about whatever they do. They bring a totally new energy to camp. Their staff members look incredibly happy. I watch as last years Machon aidah becomes this summers Nivonim, the leaders of the camp, the oldest aidah. Feeling proud, they are also trying to figure out what it means to lead and what responsibilities accompany leadership. Campers excited to be in the bet midrash doing serious exploration of Jewish texts. A group of campers and staff members really enjoying camp while still feeling the loss of a beloved school teacher, Mr. Harvey Gross of Chicagoland Jewish High School who died unexpectedly this past weekend. One of the students spoke about Mr. Gross this morning at Tefillot which was followed by a memorial prayer. Endless games of basketball. Countless groups of friends walking arm in arm, hand in hand, smiling warmly and broadly. Laughter, smiles, friendship and fun. Sometimes, being a spy is fantastic. You get to see so much. The question is what lenses do you wear while you are looking: those of pessimism, of feeling threatened or those of joy and optimism. This is the challenge for each camper and staff member this summer. As for me, I look around with the lenses of four core values of Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, the essence of what we are about and how we try to accomplish things:

Am I seeing FUN? Am I seeing friendships being cultivated and communities being built? What is the Jewish meaning and content of the moment wherever it takes place? Does the moment represent excellence in planning and execution? If the first two days of camp are any indication, my spying leads me to conclude that our future as a camp and as a people is very bright. Shabbat Shalom. Todah Rabbah to all of our volunteers who helped with arrival day at the airports and at the synagogues. You made this one of our smoothest arrivals ever. Thanks as well to all of the staff members who served as bus captains and packers who kept everything moving so well. Also, Todah Rabbah to the tzevvet the staff for being very focused and positive during staff and the first two days of camp. We look forward to seeing your excellent work throughout the summer.