Why Camp Friends are the Best Friends

I just got back from a weekend visiting one of my best friends from my childhood camp. We had not seen each other for over a decade due to work, kids and just life, but the moment we were together again it was as if no time passed. The shared memories and experience came flooding back.

Camp friendships are deep and like no other for several reasons:

• The inside jokes
• They have seen you at your best and your worst
• You’ve shared formative experiences, such as doing the trust fall for the first time, trying a new activity, going on a new field trip, finally perfecting your tennis swing
• You are part of the same team
• You made it through color war or Maccabia with them
• You have laughed AND cried together
• You can be silly, goofy and nuts together
• And so many more!

At Apachi J Camp we do several different things to help foster an environment that is just right for developing meaningful friendships. We create balanced groups based on camper interests and personalities. We focus on team building activities that push campers to develop as a group, support one another and to learn to “have each other’s backs.” We create group camaraderie through secret handshakes, unique group cheers, old traditions and the creation of new traditions. Finally, our fantastic staff work with campers to savor the meaningful moments at camp. I often hear counselors on Friday afternoons sitting in a circle with their campers allowing them each to have a chance to express their highs and lows of the past week. This allows campers to celebrate the good and work together as a supportive group to work on the weeks challenges.

Now that it’s Chanukah, it seems like the perfect time to appreciate friendship; how one little light can spark another and another. Friendship and camp are gifts that keep on giving. If you are looking for a gift that will last a lifetime and create special friendships, give your child the gift of camp.