My first night at Crane Lake Camp ever took place in the beginning of August 2004, a mere 12 years when I was just a little lower Nitzanimer. That first day was a blur between the down pouring rain during drop off to my parents making my bed even though it was a top bunk in the corner of Bunk 2. Once they finally left, the rest of the day filled with icebreakers flew by. When it was time to go to bed and I realized I wasn’t going to be tucked in by my own parents, I broke down sobbing hysterically. None of my counselors could calm me down except my Israeli art specialist Einav who rubbed my back until I cried myself to sleep that first night. Then the next morning, when I awoke with a stuffy nose and puffy eyes, Einav approached me on the way to breakfast that first full day of camp. She pulled me aside and I thought that she was going to yell at me for keeping her up all night due to my sniffles and crying. None of my counselors could calm me down except my Israeli art specialist Einav who rubbed my back until I cried myself to sleep that first night. Then the next morning, when I awoke with a stuffy nose and puffy eyes, Einav approached me on the way to breakfast that first full day of camp. She pulled me aside and I thought that she was going to yell at me for keeping her up all night due to my sniffles and crying.
Instead, she gave me a pin with a teal rectangle and purple circle painted on a little piece of wood super glued to a safety pin. This was simple gesture that didn’t seem like much, but on my first real day of camp, I was shocked to be given this gift. Einav told me that whenever I wanted to be brave and enjoy camp, to wear this pin. She also told me that my bunkmates wanted me to be happy and to be in the camp community fully.
As the rest of the session progressed, I wore that pin every single day, even on Shabbat to match my long rainbow skirts. Only a few more times do I recall ever getting sad or upset. Einav made me feel like I mattered and belonged within the camp bubble, starting my very first day of camp ever.
Reflecting on that counselor, that first night and my memories my first summer always brings a huge smile to my face. If it wasn’t for her approaching and comforting me, I’m unsure where I would be in my life, let alone if I would return to camp at all. 12 years later I still have that pin and it reminds me of how special the crane lake community is. Every summer since I’ve become a staff member, I’ve told this same story to my campers, stressing the point that Crane Lake is a place like no other. It’s a place where you can make an 8-year-old feel like she is finally home.
By Ashley Cohen, General Counselor