Parshat Bo, this week’s Torah portion, is filled with large-scale drama: plagues #8, #9, and #10, Pharoah’s command to the Israelites to leave Egypt, and the beginning of the Exodus. Earlier in the parsha, though, there’s a more under-the-radar scene where Moses and Aaron nearly secure the Israelites’ exit ticket three plagues early. After the plague of hail has ended, Moses and Aaron go to Pharoah and demand once again that he let the Israelites leave Egypt to worship God. Pharoah, feeling exhausted and defeated, gives in – but he wants to know who exactly would be going. Moses explains that the whole nation must go, including the children; Pharoah draws a line there, only allowing the adult men to go. That the children would come is a non-negotiable condition for the Israelites, and when Pharoah refuses, God immediately sends the eighth plague, locusts.  

Pharoah fails to understand something that the Israelite people know to be true: our people’s identity is incomplete without children. So of course, our prayer, our collective conversation with God, is incomplete without children.  

For six shabbatot at camp each summer, we get to see this idea put into action. Our campers aren’t just present for our Shabbat services, they’re at the forefront of them; campers lead prayers that resonate with them, share their answers to meaningful questions, and act out skits to teach lessons from that week’s parsha. They read from the Torah, they’re called up for aliyot, and they bring their instruments to lead the whole camp in favorite songs. We could get through the services having all these pieces done by staff, but it would leave out the voices that make our experience so beautiful, special, and whole – our Jewish identity would be incomplete.  

This Shabbat, I hope we all take the opportunities to learn from our communities’ children, celebrate them, and welcome them into the things we do to make the time holy.  

Ezra Suldan, Family and Community Engagement Manager

By Adina Ginsburg, Community Care Manager

Sleepaway camps offer children the chance to step outside their comfort zones and experience a new world of independence and adventure. While even short stays can provide valuable growth opportunities, longer sessions can be particularly impactful when it comes to social, emotional, and mental health development.

Building Stronger Social Skills

At sleepaway camp, children are immersed in a social environment where they interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. A longer stay allows for deeper relationships to form, fostering empathy, communication skills, and the ability to navigate social challenges. These interactions help children improve their conflict resolution abilities and practice teamwork, skills that are transferable to school and beyond. Over time, the gradual nature of these social dynamics also provides children with a sense of belonging which is crucial for developing self-confidence.

Emotional Resilience and Self-Regulation

Extended time away from home challenges children to manage their emotions in a supportive, yet independent setting. While initial homesickness and anxiety may arise, by the end of a longer session, children typically develop better emotional regulation skills. They learn to cope with stressors, adapt to new routines, and navigate feelings of frustration or disappointment. This emotional resilience strengthens their ability to handle life’s challenges with greater maturity and confidence, improving overall mental well-being.

Increased Self-Esteem and Independence

Sleepaway camp offers children the opportunity to make their own decisions, learn new skills, and take on responsibilities. Longer stays build a child’s sense of self-efficacy—belief in their ability to accomplish tasks and overcome obstacles. This autonomy can be incredibly empowering, helping children develop a stronger sense of self-worth and independence, both of which are essential for mental health and personal growth.

Stronger Connections to Nature and Reduced Screen Time

Spending more time outdoors and away from screens provides children with a healthy break from the overstimulation often present in daily life. Longer stays encourage deeper engagement with nature, which research shows can have significant benefits for mental health. Whether it’s hiking, swimming, or simply enjoying the quiet of the outdoors, these experiences can help children feel more grounded, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.

Longer stays at sleepaway camps offer children more than just fun—they provide invaluable opportunities for emotional growth, social learning, and mental health improvement. With the chance to build lasting friendships, develop emotional resilience, and gain greater independence, children return home from camp not only with fond memories but also with enhanced emotional and mental well-being.

At Capital Camps, we are committed to the social, emotional wellbeing of all our campers and staff. We have a community care team consisting of social workers, psychologists and inclusion experts. The team supports all campers and staff before, during, and after their time at camp. Capital Camps is so lucky to be a part of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s (FJC) Yedid Nefesh Mental Health Initiative, which enables our camp to have a clinical social worker on the year-round staff team. FJC also provides a monthly community of practice (CoP) to learn from and share with other camps. Capital Camps’ commitment to the wellbeing of our community is a top priority. 

Questions about our camp program? Contact Adina, adinag@capitalcamps.org