4th of July, American Independence Day. Whichever summer camp in America you're at it's going to be a big deal. People left, right and centre were getting dressed in their best red, white and blue to mark the 237th birthday of their nation.
Of course, if you know anything about the history of America, you will know that July 4th marks the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1777. Independence from Great Britain, AKA me!
I'd gotten used to the playful banter of the campers and my coworkers and so I woke up prepared for an onslaught of jokes. I was asked if I still had hard feelings about losing the war, if I was planning on taking over and imposing taxes again. I, of course, happily played along saying that they must be so grateful to the French for winning the war for them.
But after that we began talking a little more about what independence, freedom, and what being in America meant to us. Having such mature conversations with campers as young as 7, I once again felt hugely grateful to be in such an open and all embracing place. After my initial fear of being a Brit on the Fourth of July, I ended up brandishing a shirt with the words "The Brit" emblazoned on the front, whilst other Brits painted the flags of the country on their bodies. With our multicultural staff, the day became a celebration of pride in one's country wherever you're from!
The highlight of the day was the CSL run, an event that is usually separate to the Fourth of July celebrations, but this year, coincide. In a presentation, Ari Baum talked a little about the duel American and Jewish values he wanted camp to celebrate on this day - values which every at camp could buy in to. One was represented by the words on every American penny; 'E Pluribus Unum', a Latin phrase meaning 'from one, many' and the other was 'Tikkun Olam', a Hebrew phrase meaning 'to heal the world'.
Outside of the dining hall, we have the American flag and the Israeli flag flying during the day. On this day of national celebration we celebrated American traditions and Jewish traditions embodied by the two phrases Ari mentioned in our CSL run. Everyone at camp participated in the run, and each time they completed a lap, they got to put money in a bucket to support a variety of charitable causes. Individually, our contributions made a small difference but together we raised a sizable amount for the various charities.
It was a day where everyone could have fun together, enjoy barbecues and each other's company whilst healing the world through supporting our chosen charities. regardless of race or physical ability.
Nick Turner
Ropes Specialist
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Of course, if you know anything about the history of America, you will know that July 4th marks the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1777. Independence from Great Britain, AKA me!
I'd gotten used to the playful banter of the campers and my coworkers and so I woke up prepared for an onslaught of jokes. I was asked if I still had hard feelings about losing the war, if I was planning on taking over and imposing taxes again. I, of course, happily played along saying that they must be so grateful to the French for winning the war for them.
But after that we began talking a little more about what independence, freedom, and what being in America meant to us. Having such mature conversations with campers as young as 7, I once again felt hugely grateful to be in such an open and all embracing place. After my initial fear of being a Brit on the Fourth of July, I ended up brandishing a shirt with the words "The Brit" emblazoned on the front, whilst other Brits painted the flags of the country on their bodies. With our multicultural staff, the day became a celebration of pride in one's country wherever you're from!
The highlight of the day was the CSL run, an event that is usually separate to the Fourth of July celebrations, but this year, coincide. In a presentation, Ari Baum talked a little about the duel American and Jewish values he wanted camp to celebrate on this day - values which every at camp could buy in to. One was represented by the words on every American penny; 'E Pluribus Unum', a Latin phrase meaning 'from one, many' and the other was 'Tikkun Olam', a Hebrew phrase meaning 'to heal the world'.
Outside of the dining hall, we have the American flag and the Israeli flag flying during the day. On this day of national celebration we celebrated American traditions and Jewish traditions embodied by the two phrases Ari mentioned in our CSL run. Everyone at camp participated in the run, and each time they completed a lap, they got to put money in a bucket to support a variety of charitable causes. Individually, our contributions made a small difference but together we raised a sizable amount for the various charities.
It was a day where everyone could have fun together, enjoy barbecues and each other's company whilst healing the world through supporting our chosen charities. regardless of race or physical ability.
Nick Turner
Ropes Specialist
