Hello! My name is Tzippy, and I am thrilled to reprise my role as the Shorashim Unit Leader at CMC this summer. This marks my 14th year at camp and 5th on staff, and I firmly believe that my positive experience as a Shorashim camper still contributes to my continued return after all these years.
Camp was my home away from home every summer; it always boggled my mind how, no matter which people came or left or what traditions were added or forgotten at CMC, my connection to this magical place never faltered. It is that sort of unwavering bond I feel so lucky to have built with this camp that I hope to develop within my campers and staff every summer. My amazing Assistant Unit Leader, Jillian, also shares this sentiment as this is her 11th year. She says that it’s the way that people look out for one another here, the feeling of singing under the stars each night with our arms around each other, the true feeling of community, that draws her back every summer; with her compassion, programming skills, and incredible ability to connect with and care for campers, she creates a warm, welcoming space that keeps them coming back each year.
In Shorashim, we have two core values that define the heart of our unit: Curiosity and Kehilah (community). With our campers going into 2nd to 4th grade, most of whom are coming to camp for the first or second year, our main goal is to build a strong, inclusive community that can continue throughout the summer and eventually last for years. It is quite a remarkable thing to have grown up at camp, where R-Shy and B-Cap (our Director and Assistant Director) have known me since I was 7, and now I have gotten the chance to turn around and see that same progression in some of my campers-turned-staff. Back when I was a 10th grade Atid camper, my bunkmates and I befriended some 5th grade Netzarim campers—now, one of those Netzarim campers is an SIT (Staff-In-Training) working in my unit. Our Shorashim campers may not see or realize it now, but camp is filled with these rewarding full-circle moments, and it all starts from our intention to build community from day one.
Another aspect of Shorashim this summer we would like to share is named Shorasaur, our friendly Shorashim dinosaur plushie. He is always there to give campers a warm hug at night or console them in times of need. Shorasaur even sports the bling his campers create for him, so he is as stylish as he is supportive. Needless to say, he is a very popular and welcome addition to the Shorashim unit this summer.
This year, Shorashim campers have had the opportunity to experience our vast array of specialty areas—ranging from pool to archery and ceramics to yoga—and our nightly Evening Programs have taken the fun and whimsy of camp to the next level. Our campers have produced thrilling movie trailers in Shora-cinema; learned to find a balance between skill and serenity in Ninja Night; and learned to love Israel, its chocolate, and its music/dances in our Israel Festival. These programs give our campers a chance to bond as a unit, explore their creativity and curiosity, and forge unforgettable memories. Jillian and I still remember some of our favorite programs as campers—some of which included “Shorashim’s Next Top Model” and a camp-wide Amazing Race—and our hope is to continue that legacy with our own campers this year.
Addendum:
- Tzippy: going into her final year at UCLA, studying Spanish & Musicology, rowing team, works with engagement at Hillel, applying to grad school in the UK to continue rowing and studying Spanish/Psych, loves her dog and a steaming hot cup of coffee, can often be found with dark chocolate peanut butter cups (off camp property, of course) or nibbling on Trader Joe’s English Coastal Cheddar.
- Jillian: going into her second year at American University, studying International Studies and Spanish, community engagement for AU’s Interfaith Club, volunteers at a bilingual elementary school, loves geography, flags, world politics, and travel, can often be found with jellybeans or decaf earl gray tea.
