Written by Michele Burger, CJ Alumna and Board Chair-Elect

In this week’s torah portion, Parshah Bamidbar, the Jewish people are going into the desert or wilderness – the middle of nowhere. In reading the Parshah to prepare for the D’var Torah, it made me realize why the Jewish people had to be in the desert in order to be transformed.  It was necessary for the Jews to be in a neutral environment removed from all distractions to learn why each one of them was important and why they were critical to the larger group.

To no one’s surprise, while thinking of neutral environments and transformations, I think about Jewish overnight camps in the middle of nowhere like Camp Judaea, Camp Ramah, Camp Coleman and so many others. When children attend Jewish camps and all distractions from home are removed, I ask – does camping achieve a similar goal for personal growth and empowerment, like the desert?

When Campers and staff remove themselves from all distractions – from their comfort zones, they disconnect from their iPhones, iPads and computers in order to experience something great – it is the perfect venue for personal growth and growth as a member of a larger unit.

Like in the desert where there were tribes, there are cabins/bunks and group activities at camp. These divisions help build individuality and pride/self esteem as well as commonality and community.  The Parshah Bamidbar refers to young adults growing as individuals so they can be part of the army of Israel and Jewish camping helps children grow as individuals and teaches campers why it’s important to be part of a community of Jewish people, like a Jewish army.

Like the desert, no one person has ownership of a Jewish camp. Every camper is equal and allowed an opportunity to grow and be part of something bigger than just them selves.

The Parshah explains when we realize the importance of our individual roles, we are empowered to tackle and transform our personal wilderness.

Research shows that Camping and the wilderness play a major role in the development of a Jewish child’s identity, specifically as it relates to cultivating self, family and community.  Kids evaluate what they value and learn to give extra nourishment to others when they need it.

Camp is a venue for personal growth that comes from leaving home, a place of comfort, going outside to a different place and living with different people. At the same time, it’s a neutral place like the desert where G-d spoke to the Jewish people.

G-d commands Moses to count the Jewish people to emphasize everyone’s unique character and contribution – their individual worth as one and as a whole. Everyone counts but at the same time they are part of a larger unit.

At Jewish overnight camps, campers know they count.

Kids today need to know their opinions matter. Camp strengthens personal identities making Jewish children stronger as a unit. Campers spend time in the woods where they learn to trust and rely on others for survival. This is a time when children gain knowledge and maturity– it’s about self-growth and development in order to bring a greater spiritual awareness to our Jewish community.

Just like the Midbar, when all distractions from home are removed, Jews realize the importance of their individual role and feel empowered to tackle and transform their personal wilderness confirming why Jewish camping is good for our youth today and confirming why G-d brought the Jewish people to the neutral territory of the desert.