Okay, so disregard the fact that I am writing this instead of studying for my finals tomorrow, because I do have something important to say. This will be my first time in 11 years that I won't be spending most of my summer doing something related to Judaism, and it scares me.

I spent 6 summers at a camp in my state, Camp Tamarack. I was so totally in love with Tamarack, I loved going back each summer, and I cried every summer when the bus pulled away to take me home. Once I was too old to be a camper, but too young to be a counselor, I knew what my next step was: Kutz, NFTY's Leadership Institute (though I believe it is now called Kutz Campus for Reform Jewish Teens, but whatever). I spent two amazing, educational, beautiful, fun, and exploring summers there, before 10th and 11th grades. I made some of my most amazing friends at Kutz. Then, when I wasn't re-elected to my region's executive board, I decided to take a summer away from Kutz and explore a new land. The Holy Land. I was in Israel for 6 short weeks on a summer semester program (which helped me graduate high school with two credits no one else had: Jewish history and Hebrew). Israel was an incredible experience, and has also given me some very close friends. But Kutz was still calling my name. After missing the deadline to apply to work at Tamarack (I'm apparently not super observant), I got a job at Kutz, on the "Avodah" staff, which means "work," and that we did. I worked in the kitchen and dining room for three weeks, serving food and washing dishes for hours and hours and hours. I also had the distinct pleasure of taking out garbage from every building on camp. But in between all the working was time to grow close with my coworkers, and with the campers, who were all around my age. When the summer was over, I was excited but nervous to start college.

Now, an entire year of college is way too much to span in one already long blog, so I won't get into it, but it's had many ups and downs for me. While right now I'm definitely thinking about my last finals, I'm also thinking about the fact that I won't be attending a Jewish camp or summer program this year. On the contrary, I have two incredible internships, which I'm very excited about. But it still doesn't change the fact that Judaism is a huge part of my life, and I can't even imagine spending an entire summer at home. I haven't done that since I was 7. So while it might be too late for this summer (though it isn't for Kutz, they're still taking campers!) I STRONGLY suggest that you consider spending a summer at a Jewish camp or Israel program. It'll change your life. You never know, maybe you'll make it your life's work. But for now, don't disregard the option, because it's really something you might regret.

Happy spring, and I hope you all have great summers!
Shelley

Links!
http://www.tamarackcamps.com/
http://kutz.urjcamps.org/
http://urjcamps.org/
http://www.nftyisrael.org/