Summer Camp Stories: Jess's Experience

Jess is one of the directors at Camp Leaders, so she knows all about the impact summer camp can have. But before she worked there, she had also done three summers at camp, meaning she knows first hand about the summer of a lifetime you'll be embarking on when applying.

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What summer camp did you go to?

"I went to URJ Crane Lake Camp, which is in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts."

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When did you go to URJ Crane Lake Camp?

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"My first summer was back in 2013, and I done three different summers, up to 2015."

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What job did you do at URJ Crane Lake Camp?

"So in my first two summers I was an Outdoor Adventure Specialist, which was an incredible opportunity to work in the great outdoors being active.

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Then in 2015, I was a Staff Engagement Co-ordinator, which was also a brilliant opportunity for me to take on more responsibility at my summer camp and work closer with other colleagues there."

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Before you flew out to camp for the first time, how were you feeling?

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"During the build-up to camp, I started to feel excited, but also really nervous.

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Although I was 21 at the time and had experience travelling, I had never lived away from home before. I stayed living in my family home through university and I'm really close with my siblings.

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The first two weeks at camp, adapting to an entirely new environment away from my family, was way more challenging than I thought it would be.

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Everything was new and different and I missed my home comforts of a warm bath and hot cup of tea.

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But after the initial culture shock, I felt at home away from home. I made many wonderful friends and had so many fantastic experiences I would never have had if not for summer camp."

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What is your favourite summer camp memory?

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"Every Friday at my camp we would celebrate Shabbat, which is the day of rest in Judaism.

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I loved the Challah bread and we would end the night with a dance party.

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My first week at camp I was so shy and would stand at the outside of the hall watching everyone else.

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Two weeks in, I knew all the words and actions to the songs and loved getting involved.

Camp brings out the child in you and is a safe space to be yourself and act goofy without any judgement.

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There is no place quite like it."

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What’s one thing they don’t tell you about summer camp?

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"You could meet your future brother-in-law at camp!

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My sister spent 4 summers at Crane Lake, where she met her now husband.

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Who knew Jamie from the Lake would now be my niece and nephew's father!"

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What’s your advice to those going to camp for the first time?

"Experience everything!

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The summer is long, you will have really high-highs and low-lows.

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Lean into the experience, you never truly realise the magic of camp until you've spent a full summer challenging yourself and leaving a lasting impact on your campers.

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They will remember you forever!"

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