By Nate Strauss, Camp Director
In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Shelach (send), we learn about the story of Moses sending twelve spies into the land of Canaan. These twelve people spend forty days exploring the land, learning about the local flora and fauna, and understanding the people who live there. Upon reporting back to Moses, the spies bring fruits they find such as grapes, a pomegranate, and a fig to share about the bountiful land they found. Although some spies returned concerned over whether the Israelites could live in the land, two were optimistic and assured that everything would work out.
Exploring new places, thoughts, and feelings is also experienced right here at Capital Camps. Whether a camper is returning to camp after having joined us last summer or this is their first time stepping foot here, new feelings and experiences are found by all, helping each camper grow in so many ways.
Concluding our first week of First Session, I can’t help but reflect on all the newness I’ve noticed being explored. Our counselors have created new bonds with their campers, building strong relationships and helping campers solve problems and meet each other. Our campers are seeing camp in new ways, bringing all that they learned with them from the prior school year. Our Leadership Team is finding new ways to empower and support our staff members and excite your campers.
And although the experiences of our campers and staff are different from those of the 12 spies going into Canaan, I know that the sensation of newness can be felt by all. Just as the spies worked to understand the land and report back, our campers are exploring everything around them, eager to dive deeper into activities and programs.
As we enter the first Shabbat of the session, I look forward to sharing even more newness with our campers and staff and I hope that your Shabbat brings more newness and light to you and your family.
Shabbat Shalom from Waynesboro, PA, let’s celebrate all that’s new around us.
