By Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik, URJ Camp Newman Faculty and Rabbi at Temple Ahavat Shalom
With the first sessions of camp ending, we have already brought home one of our children from camp. After spending two weeks at camp there is lots to share, but sometimes kids need a bit of prompting to get all the details about camp that you have been waiting to hear. I would not suggest asking all of these at the same time – I find that it takes almost as long as my kids were at camp for them to share all that they experienced. These are some questions that you might not have thought to ask:
- Will you sing me your session song?
- What day did you get the messiest?
- What was your chug? (chugim are like electives)
- What new songs did you learn?
- Will you teach me your favorite Israeli dance?
- What did you like best about Shabbat at camp?
- Tell me about your favorite cabin time?
- What was the most unusual prayer service?
- What new Hebrew words did you learn?
- Did you climb the ropes course?
- Did you go swimming? Did you try out or watch the pool Obstacle Course?
- (For younger campers) What was the Newman Challenge like?
- What other countries did your counselors come from?
- Will you tell me about your favorite counselor?
- What were you surprised to discover you could do?
- What was the hardest thing you tried?
- What did you pack that you wish you left at home?
- What do you want to bring with you next summer?