youth

Benefits of being a counselor

A fundamental part of being a counselor is to support the campers. (photo from Camp Kalsman)

Rachel Mintz worked as junior counselor, senior counselor, canoe specialist and assistant director at Camp BB-Riback in the late 1990s. In her work today as deputy chief data officer for Environment and Climate Change Canada, she’s quick to credit her leadership style, passion and confidence to the skills she learned at camp.

“Camp actually played a role in my career path,” she told the Independent. “One major lesson a person learns from work at camp is the power of passion. Anyone who came in 1998, when I was canoe specialist, would’ve experienced how much I loved teaching kids the freedom of paddling their own canoe. Today, with the staff I manage, I believe in finding projects that align with their strengths and passion.

“My last year of camp, I was 19 and working as assistant director, a position that gave me the confidence to apply and take on future management roles,” she added. “I learned the importance of a leadership role and the ‘behind the scenes.’ I came to realize that I have skills to coordinate moving parts and that I enjoy influencing others in their work.”

Jewish camp directors in the northwest are already recruiting counselors for summer 2026.

“As a counselor at camp, you build community, work with kids, run programs and act as a role model,” said Zach Duitch, executive director at Camp Solomon Schechter. “These experiences running a cabin, dealing with challenges and problem-solving teach you resiliency, which is critical for this age group. Our counselors learn from their experiences and realize that they can overcome things with patience, communication and problem-solving. It’s such an important learning experience.”

Duitch believes strongly that a position as a camp counselor teaches teens skills they would never learn in a traditional retail environment or minimum-wage summer job. “They’re learning hospitality, conflict resolution, health and hygiene for a group of eight-to-12 kids, how to run a program – these are human skills and executive skills,” he said. “We even take their phones!

“Consider that, if our counselors didn’t do this, they’d likely be bumming around at home on their phones and staying up late,” he explained. “My message to these teens is this: working as a counselor is an experience that truly doesn’t exist elsewhere. Take advantage of this opportunity as long as you can, before you’re thrown into really needing to find a job.”

Duitch’s own work as a camp counselor set him on the path to dedicating his life to Jewish work. Another camper he knew, the late Rabbi Matthew Bellas, found his path to the rabbinate at camp. “Camp teaches you skills, but it also shows you what your passions are,” said Duitch.

If money is your teen’s top priority for the summer, a camp counselor position is not going to be a top contender. The salaries for counselors range from honorariums to a few thousand dollars. One upside of the money earned at camp is that the counselors don’t spend it while they’re working. “When you leave at the end of the summer, you leave with a lump sum,” Duitch said.

Rather than look at it in financial terms, he encouraged parents to think about the opportunity camp counseling gives teens to create impact.

“If you went to camp and loved the immersive programming, the fun, the memorable moments and the joy, maybe this is your turn to give back to the kids as a counselor. There’s nothing like living a fully immersive Jewish experience at camp, surrounded by a community you can rely on.”

Don’t look at it as a “summer filler,” agreed Liza Rozen-Delman, executive director at Camp Hatikvah. “Your teen will build confidence and emotional maturity as a counselor, learning to manage stress, communicate clearly, lead with empathy and take real responsibility. These are skills that prepare them for university, travel and future careers.”

Becoming a counselor is the natural next step after aging out of camp, she said. “It lets young people return to a place they grew up, one that feels safe, familiar and supportive. These roles offer structure, purpose and a guided environment where teens can practise independence, learn to meet expectations and develop accountability, something many aren’t used to today.”

The work is meaningful but demanding, she noted, with early mornings, late nights and constant responsibility, as counselors support kids, run activities and manage group dynamics. “One of my favourite sayings,” she shared, “is that camp doesn’t just prepare young adults for ‘work,’ it prepares them for life.”

At Schechter, candidates are interviewed for their past experience working with kids, their values, trust, accountability and communication skills.

“Have they failed before, and have they used that experience to succeed? We love to give second chances at camp,” Duitch said.

Rozen-Delman said she looks for counselors who demonstrate empathy, kindness, responsibility, confidence and initiative. “They need to be team players and strong communicators,” she said.

“Camp doesn’t run without these young Jewish role models,” Duitch added. “They bring the magic to life, and we want to continue to invest in them, motivate them, provide them with resources and challenge them.”

“Working at camp is an investment in your development,” said Stacy Shaikin, executive director at Camp BB-Riback. “There’s no other job for young people that gives you this much responsibility and a chance to troubleshoot and think on your feet. Everyone who has ever done it looks back on it and uses these tools in their careers.”

When Rachel Mintz’s daughter returned home from camp, Rachel quizzed her on her favourite part. Her answer was immediate, and just two words: the counselors.

Lauren Kramer, an award-winning writer and editor, lives in Richmond.

Camper to counselor

The writer as a kid at Camp Shalom with the camp’s director, Ben Horev. (photo from Uriel Presman Chikiar)

I was 9 years old when I first arrived at Camp Shalom. My family had recently immigrated from Argentina, and we were settling into Vancouver. I barely spoke English. When my parents told me they were sending me to summer camp, I panicked. I imagined feeling out of place and not understanding anyone around me. That fear did not last long.

From the minute I stepped onto the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver grounds, I was met with warmth. Counselors welcomed me by name and made it feel as though I already been to camp. Ben Horev, the camp director, greeted every camper as they arrived. The way he spoke to each person made it clear that everyone mattered.

What stayed with me most from that first day was not an activity or a game. It was the first friend I made. I remember standing off to the side, unsure of what to do, when another camper walked over and introduced himself. We decided to stick together for the rest of the day. We tossed a ball back and forth, spoke in short, hesitant sentences, and laughed when my vocabulary failed me. That small moment of inclusion changed everything. Camp suddenly felt manageable. I learned that camp was not defined by its schedule or programming, but by the people who made sure no one felt like a stranger.

Over the next few summers, Camp Shalom became an important part of my life. I formed friendships that lasted well beyond childhood and learned skills that still shape who I am today. I learned how to play Magic: The Gathering with friends I’ve kept in touch with. I discovered a love for camping through pitching tents, building fires and spending time outdoors. To this day, camping remains one of my favourite ways to spend time outside.

By the time I became old enough to be a counselor-in-training, returning to camp felt natural. The counselors I had looked up to as a camper led with care, energy and intention, and their impact stayed with me. I wanted to be that person for someone else. I wanted to help create the same sense of belonging that had meant so much to me.

My first summer as a counselor was unforgettable. Being part of a community that had played such a formative role in my childhood felt meaningful in new ways. I enjoyed leading programs, sharing activities I had grown up with, and helping campers feel comfortable in a new environment. One of the most meaningful experiences was working alongside my former counselors: being treated as a colleague marked a full-circle moment.

As a camper, my role was simple. As a counselor, I was responsible for the safety, well-being and emotional experience of those in my care. I had to learn how to manage different personalities, resolve conflicts and stay calm in unpredictable situations. It was a challenge, but it pushed me to grow.

One night, during an overnight camping trip, we heard a loud noise outside and feared it was a bear. The campers were scared and, honestly, so was I. We gathered together and began singing our Shira circle songs, the same ones we sing every morning. We sang our hearts out to make noise, to scare the bear, and to remind everyone that we were safe. That moment has stayed with me. I learned that leadership is not about pretending fear does not exist; it is about helping others feel steady in uncertain moments.

Over time, I noticed changes at Camp Shalom. New staff brought fresh ideas, and campers arrived with different needs, especially in the years following COVID-19. Still, the core of the camp never changed. Respect, responsibility and community showed up in small, everyday ways, like leaving a campsite cleaner than we found it or making sure no one was left sitting alone.

Those habits have shaped how I understand tikkun olam and chesed. Repairing the world doesn’t mean grand gestures; it means taking responsibility for the space and the people around you. Kindness is not abstract either; it is patience, inclusion and showing up for someone who needed it. These lessons were reinforced every Friday, when everyone came together for Shabbat. They continue to guide how I try to show up for others.

Looking back, Camp Shalom is not just a place I attended as a child. It is part of who I am. It was where I found belonging in a new country, built lasting friendships and learned the values that continue to guide me. Although I am no longer a counselor, I hope that, even in some small way, today’s campers feel what I felt when I first arrived: safe, supported and welcome.

Uriel Presman Chikiar is a student at Queen’s University and serves as executive vice-president of external relations at Hillel Queen’s.

JCC Maccabi in Toronto

The Team Vancouver delegation at the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games in Pittsburgh, Pa. (photo from JCCGV)

When the Jewish community of Greater Toronto hosts the JCC Maccabi Games this summer, it will mark the first time that the Jewish teen athletics event has taken place north of the border since Vancouver hosted in 2006. And Team Vancouver, based out of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, will bring a delegation of at least 20 athletes to be a part of it.

The JCCs of Toronto will welcome approximately 1,600 Jewish teens from around the world Aug. 2-7, 2026, for this annual Olympic-style sporting event. The games will take over venues around Greater Toronto, offering a variety of team and individual sports.

“With the political climate being what it is these days, it’s really fantastic timing to finally have a set of games in Canada again,” said Kyle Berger, delegation head for Team Vancouver. “I can feel the excitement already building and we expect to be taking our largest delegation since before COVID.”

The JCC Maccabi Games, which engages 3,000-4,000 Jewish teens each summer, is focused on athletic competitions, but, Berger said, the true meaning of the games lies in the unique Jewish peoplehood experience it offers.

“From the powerful opening ceremonies, with the parade of athletes, and through the week of competition and special events, there is nothing that brings Jewish teens together like the JCC Maccabi experience,” he said. “This will be my 23rd set of games, but, when Team Israel enters the opening ceremony, with 10,000 people all waving their Israeli flags, cheering and singing together in a safe environment, it gives me goosebumps every time.”

Berger was involved with the games when Vancouver hosted in 2006 and said he appreciates how much hosting this event can bring a community together.

“Much like the way hosting the Olympics in 2010 brought the cities of Vancouver and Whistler together, hosting the JCC Maccabi Games really is a full-community experience,” he said. “And anytime it is in Canada, it’s special to be part of it and show off our amazing country. We will enter the opening ceremony with extra pride this year.”

The games in Toronto, which will take place at the same time as another set of games in Kansas City, will be one of the larger sets of games in recent years. Athletes aged 13-17 as of the date of the games will be able to compete in their choice of team or individual sports that include ice hockey – with a girls division for the first time – baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, swimming, dance, track and golf.

Aside from the opening ceremony, the games will feature social events for the athletes and coaches, as well as Jewish and Israeli cultural programming, social action projects and an emphasis on the six middot (Jewish values) of tikkun olam (repairing the world), respect, joy, pride, big-heartedness, and Jewish peoplehood.

JCC Maccabi, a signature program of the Jewish Community Centre Association of North America, is part of the overall umbrella of the Maccabi World Union, which also includes the Maccabiah Games in Israel.

For more information about the JCC Maccabi Games or the opportunity to have your teen be part of Team Vancouver this summer, contact Berger at [email protected] or check out jccgv.com/program-category/maccabi-games.

– Courtesy Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver

The school year ahead

Back to school is a time of excitement and anxiety for parents and kids. It is a time of new beginnings. For Jewish people, it generally coincides, as it roughly does this year, with the new year and the High Holidays. This confluence creates a somewhat chaotic frenzy in many households.

Jewish tradition is deeply tied to cycles of time, weaving renewal and return into every layer of life. The turning of the calendar is reflected not only in Shabbat, the progression of holy days and the annual cycle of Torah reading, but also in agricultural rhythms, the monthly sanctification of the new moon and daily prayers mapping sunrise, midday and nightfall.

This year, as we move from the beginning of the school year through the procession of holidays, we approach the anniversary of Oct. 7, and the terrible realization that the surviving hostages in Gaza have been held for nearly two years – as well as the continued reality facing Israelis, Palestinians, Jews worldwide and everyone who cares about human life.

As the new school year begins, Jewish families have additional anxieties, knowing as we do that the public school system – not least some teachers’ unions in Canada, including the one in British Columbia – in many cases have not only failed to address the unique challenges faced by Jewish students but exacerbated existing problems while creating new ones. Almost everyone has heard anecdotally of insults and distress faced by Jewish students in public schools, and the situation on post-secondary campuses locally and internationally has been in the news for all the wrong reasons for most of the past two years.

Additionally, this school year marks the first in which British Columbia’s education system officially mandates the teaching of the Holocaust. Most students did learn about the Holocaust before, but it had been left up to the discretion of individual teachers. Now, the Social Studies 10 curriculum requires that the topic be included. (See jewishindependent.ca/teaching-about-shoah.) This is something that the Jewish community and others have long promoted.

It does, however, create new openings for challenges. Given the allegations of genocide in Gaza, and overheated rhetoric against Israel in the public discourse – often invoking the memory of the Holocaust, the mantra “never again” and the appropriation of Jewish historical experiences for political advantage – there is a real possibility that individual teachers in the comparative privacy of their classrooms will attempt to inculcate anti-Israel narratives in the guise of genocide education. We expect there will be reports of inappropriate comparisons made between the Jewish experience in the Shoah and current tragedies in the Middle East – and we know that most such incidents will never be reported.

It should never have come to this with regard to antisemitism, but powerful new generations of Jewish leaders have been forged on university campuses and, yes, in high schools and even elementary schools, rising to occasions they should never have had to meet, but doing so in ways that often have surprised even themselves. As tough as the past two years have been, all evidence so far points to young Jews continuing to rise to every challenge.

When all is said and done, we hope that the next generation of our community grows up stronger, smarter and more determined, individually and collectively. To students and parents: May you go from strength to strength this year and always.

BBYO Vancouver thrives

Levi Moskovitz has been elected to the BBYO International executive board. (photo by Jason Dixson Photography)

Vancouver teens joined thousands of peers, educators, business leaders and philanthropists from around the world at BBYO’s International Convention (IC) 2025 in Denver, Colo., Feb. 12-17. Levi Moskovitz, a student at King David High School, was elected as BBYO’s international teen treasurer (grand aleph gizbor) for the 2025-26 term. He is the only Canadian on the BBYO international board, which represents 70,000 teens from 64 different countries.

Moskovitz has been an active and dedicated member of BBYO Vancouver since he joined in Grade 8. He currently serves as regional godol (president) for Vancouver, where, along with a small cohort of fellow teen leaders, he has expanded the region from one chapter and a handful of teens to four chapters and more than 100 active teens.

Prior to being elected president, Moskovitz was the regional gizbor (treasurer). This position gave him real-world experience in leading successful fundraising initiatives, expanding community partnerships and empowering younger members to take on leadership roles. He also has been instrumental in growing chapter programming and strengthening BBYO’s presence across British Columbia.

For the next year, Moskovitz will help lead the organization as it celebrates Jewish identity, combats antisemitism, develops the next generation of youth leaders, and promotes its core values of faith, fraternity, patriotism, charity and integrity. As international teen treasurer, he will lead BBYO’s global philanthropy efforts, oversee the International Service Fund (ISF) and support chapter treasurers worldwide. He will help guide the movement as it raises and distributes more than $1 million in tzedakah (charity), including #GivingBBYODay. He will also collaborate with BBYO’s chief financial officer and board of governors on financial priorities within the organization’s $54 million annual budget. As part of the 12-person international teen board, he will shape BBYO’s global vision.

“Being elected as BBYO’s international teen treasurer is an honour,” said Moskovitz. “BBYO has given me incredible opportunities to grow as a leader, and I’m excited to help Jewish teens worldwide make an impact through philanthropy and financial empowerment.”

BBYO Vancouver’s growth in recent years has been helped largely by two major multi-year capacity-building grants: from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation and from the Diamond Foundation. Moskovitz’s election marks another milestone for the region’s legacy of leadership in BBYO’s international movement.

Vancouver BBYO has been at the forefront of community impact, organizing service projects and fundraisers that benefit local and global Jewish causes. The chapter’s close partnerships with King David High School, the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver and local synagogues continue to provide teens with opportunities for leadership, Jewish engagement and community service.

This year, Vancouver BBYO’s presence was felt beyond the election stage, with a delegation of 26 teens representing the city at IC 2025.

“Levi’s leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark on Vancouver BBYO,” said Persio Bider, BBYO Vancouver regional director. “His election to the international board reflects the strength of our growing community and the incredible potential of Jewish teens to lead on a global stage.”

– Courtesy BBYO International

***

All in the family

Levi Moskovitz’s older brother, Judah, was the last Canadian elected to the BBYO international board, in 2023, as grand aleph shaliach (Jewish identity and Israel). His father, Temple Sholom’s Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, is a past international president (grand aleph godol, 1989-90).

The 100th anniversary of BBYO in Canada happens in 2026. “That anniversary will be part of a major effort to identify Canadian BBYO alumni,” Rabbi Moskovitz told the Independent.

For more information about BBYO in the Vancouver region, visit their website (via bbyo.org) or contact the regional director, Persio Bider, at [email protected]. If you are a BBYO alumn, join the BBYO Alumni Association to stay connected with the organization and support its mission.

– Cynthia Ramsay

Lifelong lessons from camp

Selina Robinson (centre front) was a counselor at Camp Miriam for four summers. She is pictured here, in 1981, with the Sayarim (Grade 5s) in that year’s first session. (photo from Camp Miriam)

Little did I know how much Camp Miriam would teach me about leadership, standing up for others and how to be the “Jew in the Crew” in the face of antisemitism.

I never had the opportunity to go to Camp Miriam as a chanicha (camper) and wish that I had had that opportunity. I am grateful however that, when I was 17, a fresh-faced graduate of Richmond High School, I got hired for the summer of 1981 to be a madricha (counselor).

I had no idea what I was getting into, but, within days, I realized that I had been missing regular contact with a Jewish community. Back in 1981, there were only four Jewish students in our school of 1,200. But Camp Miriam was much more than being in an environment where I didn’t have to explain myself, my traditions, my values. It was an environment that encouraged me to explore how I wanted to be Jewish. Learning about Israeli culture and history in a place that values debate and discussion taught me that all perspectives have value. I learned how to consider various perspectives, how to be respectful in debate and how to articulate my arguments.

Joining the tsevet (staff) was a tremendous opportunity to learn and refine so many leadership skills, setting a personal example, making sure that all members of the group are equally engaged and even how to chair a meeting with more than 100 campers (yes, it is possible to chair a meeting with more than 100 children).

Camp Miriam helped me understand not just the importance of social responsibility but how to put these ideas into practice. I got to see these ideals in action and see why they are important, and then to talk with the chanichimot (campers) about why we have these values and what they mean to us as Jews and as human beings who are responsible for one another. Whether we were cleaning the sherutim (bathrooms) or painting the rocks around the mifkad (flagpole), it was always with purpose and understanding that we were taking responsibility for our home.

photo - Selina Robinson (fourth from the left) with the Amelim (third and fourth graders) in the second session of 1981’s summer camp season — Selina Robinson (fourth from the left) with the Amelim (third and fourth graders) in the second session of 1981’s summer camp season. *(photo from Camp Miriam)*

I worked at Camp Miriam over four summers and, as I reflect on my time there, I am struck by how those four summers impacted my life as I got my post-secondary degrees, worked in the social services sector, started a private practice and eventually moved on to politics. In every leap, my experiences at Camp Miriam were there with me: the importance of caring for others who might be down on their luck, the role of personal responsibility in decision-making and how to make collective decisions.

As a Coquitlam city councilor from 2008 to 2011, I put these collective decision-making skills into practice often. I listened to my colleagues around the council table present their arguments and determined if I agreed or disagreed with the direction they wanted to go – it was just like an asefa (meeting) that a kvutsa (group) might have about how to spend their kupa (collective pot of money). It was in these meetings with 11- and 12-year-olds that I learned how important it was that everyone have an opportunity to have their say so that we could make the best decisions for the collective. I was able to carry this experience with me into my political life.

When I became BC minister of finance in 2020, I received a note from Leah Levi, Camp Miriam’s registrar at the time. She sent me a note of congratulations and included “make good decisions with the kupa.” I had a good chuckle, realizing that is exactly what I was responsible for, our province’s kupa, making spending decisions with the Treasury Board and the cabinet. Little did I know that my four years at Camp Miriam would come in handy as I managed our province’s finances as we navigated through a global pandemic.

Upon reflection, I believe that my ability to sit around a cabinet or council table and make collective decisions, my appreciation of the responsibility for managing the province’s kupa, and even my decision to walk away from government inaction as antisemitism continued to raise its ugly head, all stem from how Camp Miriam helped me understand what it means to be a proud Jew and what it takes to be an effective leader. Camp Miriam helped me to be the person that I am today and for that I am eternally grateful.

To learn more about Camp Miriam, visit campmiriam.org.

Selina Robinson was the MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville from 2013-2024 and a BC NDP cabinet minister from 2017 to 2024. She was fired from cabinet and left the BC NDP in early 2024. She wrote a memoir about her experiences, Truth Be Told, which is available on Amazon. For more information, visit selinarobinson.ca.

Out-tripping’s many benefits

Canoe trips are a vital part of the camp experience, not only because of the physical activity they involve but also because of the deep personal growth they foster. (photo from Camp Hatikvah)

At Camp Hatikvah, one of the most enriching aspects of the summer experience for older campers is the out-tripping program. Designed to expose campers to the beauty of the outdoors while introducing them to a blend of adventure, skill-building and personal growth, the program is a cherished part of the Camp Hatikvah experience. It is also central to the camp’s mission of fostering resilience, independence and community.

Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty, ensuring that each trip is tailored to their abilities and experiences. These journeys are much more than a chance to paddle; they provide campers with opportunities to push their limits, learn new skills and bond with their peers.

photo - Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty — Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty. *(photo from Camp Hatikvah)*

The Kochot campers are introduced to the concept of out-tripping through shorter trips that offer a taste of outdoor adventure. The one-night and two-night trips, depending on age, provide an introduction to sleeping outdoors, cooking meals and navigating the natural world. These trips are designed to balance activity and relaxation, with plenty of time for swimming and socializing, all within nature. For many, this is the first time they sleep away from home, and the experience is a significant milestone in their personal development.

As campers get older, the trips become more challenging. The SIT campers take on a more intensive excursion that tests their physical endurance and leadership abilities. The trek to Shuswap Lake involves paddling for several hours each day, setting up camp at new locations each night, and working together to navigate the challenges of outdoor living. Through this five-day journey, the SIT campers develop valuable life skills, including resilience, adaptability and teamwork.

Canoe trips are a vital part of the camp experience, not only because of the physical activity they involve but also because of the deep personal growth they foster. They teach campers about responsibility, independence and the importance of working as part of a team. Campers learn to rely on one another as they work together to navigate the water, set up camp and manage the logistics of living outdoors. They also gain a profound appreciation for the natural world, learning to respect and care for the environment while enjoying its beauty.

The lessons learned on these trips extend far beyond the trip itself. Campers return to camp with a stronger sense of self, greater confidence and a newfound appreciation for the outdoors and for their fellow campers. Whether they are paddling across a serene lake or cooking dinner under the stars, the skills they develop and the memories they create during these trips become an essential, and beautiful, part of the Camp Hatikvah experience.

To learn more, visit camphatikvah.com.

– Courtesy Camp Hatikvah

Why work at summer camp?

(photo from Camp Kalsman)

We know that today’s university and college students have lots of choices for summer jobs – but here are 10 reasons why working at a Jewish summer camp is the absolute best opportunity for someone who’s starting to think about a professional career.

1. Leadership skills

Regardless of your major, working at a summer camp puts you in a prime place to develop job-marketable skills. As a counselor, you’ll be overseeing large groups of children, and that work translates well into excellent management and personnel skills. You may also qualify for college/university credit, so check with your adviser.

2. Change campers’ lives

Campers love coming to summer camp, which many consider a second home. Summer camps hire fun, energetic people who are motivated to give campers the best summer ever and to make them want to come back, year after year. There’s no question that campers look up to their counselors more than anyone else. You’re directly responsible for helping young people learn about themselves, challenge themselves and explore their Jewish identities. During this formative time, you have the chance to become a camper’s hero.

photo - campers having fun (photo from Camp Kalsman) — *(photo from Camp Kalsman)*

3. The great outdoors

Most summer camps give you access to the best of nature. Set among the trees with an expansive view of the sky, you can hike, swim, mountain bike, zipline through the forest, stargaze, kayak and so much more. As far as offices and work locations go, it doesn’t get much better than that.

4. Opportunity to grow

Camp staff become a community within itself. You’ll end up inspiring and learning from one another, experiencing much of the same joy and wonder as the campers. Plus, you’ll make friends with people who live across North America and even abroad, as many Jewish camps hire summer staff from Israel.

5. Bigger than yourself

Jewish camp works. Those who attend and work at camp are more likely to feel a strong connection to their Jewish community, which can mean lighting Shabbat candles, feeling a personal connection to Israel and attending a synagogue. Camp gives you the skills to change the world and connect to something bigger than yourself.

6. Save money

Think of how much you’ll save when food and housing are provided for you!

7. Be nurtured and cared for

Camps take the health and well-being of their counselors and campers very seriously. For example, URJ Camp Newman, a Reform Jewish summer camp in Santa Rosa, Calif., applies the CARE philosophy to everything they do: the philosophy is based upon the principles of community, acceptance, role-modeling, and that each and every individual is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God.

photo - camper doing archery — *(photo from Camp Kalsman)*

8. Goals and interests

Because there are so many roles to fill and because you come with so many additional strengths and skills, camp directors will strive to match your passions to your role at camp so that you get the most out of your experience.

9. Jumpstart career

Camp is for the career-driven. Seriously!

10. Buzzfeed agrees

If you need even more reasons to apply for a camp counselor position, BuzzFeed has 20 more reasons working at a summer camp will be your best job ever: buzzfeed.com/sarahmcf/20-reasons-why-working-at-summer-camp-is-the-best-k6jl.

For information on working at URJ Camp Kalsman, which is southeast of Arlington, Wash., about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Vancouver, visit campkalsman.org/work-at-camp.

A summer camp moment

Scholarships available

Students in the scholarship program at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, will do hands-on research and get to know the region. (photo from Weizmann Canada)

Weizmann Canada has scholarships for seven exceptional science students from Canada to participate in the Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute (ISSI). The scholarship program – which will take place at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, from June 30 to July 25, 2025 – is open to students between the ages of 18 and 20, including graduating high school seniors, gap-year students and first-year bachelor’s degree students.

ISSI offers a rigorous scientific experience, providing students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on research. During the program, students collaborate in small research groups, guided by institute researchers, on topics matching their skills. They use the latest tools, like electron microscopes and particle accelerators. Senior scientists enhance the experience with lectures and courses. The program culminates in team presentations of group theses based on their laboratory work.

Students will also have an opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse scientific environment at a field school located in the Judean and Negev deserts. Expert guides from the Sde Boker field school will lead hikes that focus on the ecological, geographical and archeological features of this region.

Participants selected for this program will receive a full scholarship valued at more than $10,000, which covers airfare and all expenses incurred during their stay at the institute.

For more about the program and to apply by March 1, 2025, visit weizmann.ca/international-summer-science-institute. For assistance, reach out to Weizmann Canada’s educational program officer, Morgan Leibner, at [email protected].

– Courtesy Weizmann Canada