What Camp Sarah Teaches us About Life

A note from Ariela and Leah, CITs from kaityz 2025:

When people hear the word "camp," they usually think of games, rooms full of noise, rushing to the kitchen for meals, and maybe even a little chaos. But camp is actually more than just that. It’s like a mini version of life. And if you pay attention, Camp Sarah actually teaches us lessons you can also find in Judaism.

One of the lessons is Teamwork. At Camp Sarah nothing works without teamwork. Whether it’s sharing a room, finishing chores, or playing games, we learn quickly that we need each other. In Judaism, there’s a value called Arevut that is Mutual Responsibility. It teaches that all Jews are responsible for one another. Camp Sarah makes us practice that we don’t just take care of ourselves but we support the group. Sarah, our matriarch, was known for welcoming others into her tent. Teamwork starts with that same spirit of caring for each other.

Another lesson is Resilience. Camp is not always easy. The schedules, the noise, sometimes you just want to give up. But every time we push through, we grow stronger. Judaism teaches emunah – faith in tough times. Like Sarah, who faced challenges but never gave up, we learn at Camp Sarah that resilience means keeping faith and moving forward.

The third lesson is Joy in small things. One of the best parts of Camp Sarah is the small joy that is late-night laughter in the rooms, cheering of your team, or just sharing a snack with friends. Judaism calls this Simcha, finding joy in simple moments. Camp Sarah reminds us that happiness doesn’t come from big events only but also from appreciating the little blessings around us.

In conclusion, camp is about fun and activities but it’s also a classroom without walls. Camp Sarah teaches us teamwork, tolerance, and joy—the same lessons Judaism has passed down for generations. If we carry those lessons with us, Camp Sarah won’t just be a memory, it’ll be a guide for how to live.