By Jane Harris-Koblin and Ari Kalfus
Camp George and GUCI Communication Specialists

Greg is a Cabin 18 camper from Goldman Union Camp Institute, the oldest boys cabin. He has been coming to camp for 6 years! Shelby is in Cabin B6 at Camp George, and has been coming to camp for 3 years. We posed each of them questions about their respective camps, in order to learn a little bit about how other URJ camps operate. Their responses are below!

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Q: What is Shabbat like at camp?

Shelby: We come together as a family and the whole Shababt experience focuses on being together. We have a Friday night service and also one on Saturday morning. Then on Saturday night we have Havdalah and a campfire.

Greg: At camp, Shabbat is like a party. Everyone is preparing and getting ready for Shabbat the entire week. Everyone looks forward to it.

Q: What is your favorite camp activity? Why?

Shelby: Paddlesports. The staff are so friendly and I love learning new skills there.

Greg: My favorite camp activity is “chaveroot,” which means friendship in Hebrew. “Chaveroot” is cabin bonding time and by the end of camp I find myself not living with friends, but with brothers.

Q: What is your favorite camp meal?

Shelby: Chicken nuggets.

Greg: Chicken patties. Why would you not like chicken patties?!?

Q: How many years have you been going to camp?

Shelby: This is only my third year, but it feels like I’ve been here forever.

Greg: Six amazing years

Q: Complete this sentence: “If I were camp director for a day I would…”

Shelby: Make a giant carnival!

Greg: If I were camp director for a day, I would extend menucha (which is rest hour) because with a day full of festivities and fun you’re going to need some rest!

Q: How do camp meals work at your camp?

Shelby: Our whole camp eats together and you sit by cabin. On Saturdays we have “Brother Sister/ Family Lunch” where you can sit with anyone.

Greg: First, we say the Hamotzi, then the song leader dismisses each unit to get food from the kitchen (we eat family style). If you are signed up for vegetarian meals, then you may get that. Also, at breakfast oatmeal is available and at lunch and dinner you can get soy butter and jelly if you don’t want the main meal. After the meal, we clear the table and break out into an awesome song session after reciting the Birkat Hamazon.

Q: How would you describe song sessions at your camp?

Shelby: They are lots of fun because we are all together and everyone learns the songs so everyone in camp is singing.

Greg: Three words: Fun, amazing, and sweaty. Everyone is jumping around, having the time of their life.