Camp Avoda: Planting the seeds of character in boys

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May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights
surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young.

– Bob Dylan

The words of this song remind us of our young men at Camp Avoda, a Jewish sports camp for boys in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Camp Avoda’s values define the experience that Avodians have enjoyed since 1927. Boys learn to be righteous, true to themselves and their community, courageous and strong, and “upright” both physically and mentally.

At Camp Avoda, boys develop:

Lasting friendships. Sure, every camp can claim this. In fact, one of my colleagues frequently says that these words should never be part of a speech or print materials as they do not distinguish one camp from another. I agreed with her until I came to Camp Avoda. These alumni spend time together at camp, outside of camp, at ball games, bowling alleys, restaurants and family celebrations – often along with their wives, children and grandchildren!

Tradition. Beanies (known in most other Jewish camps as kippot or yarmulkes) and camp shirts; bunk writing; small, close, nurturing; Jewish; knishes every Friday night; alumni fundraising for scholarships so that no boy has to go without a Camp Avoda summer.

Brotherhood. I asked some campers and staff, “Why should someone choose an all-boys camp for their son?” Some of the answers: “Knowing that you have a friend who is like family.” “You get to be totally yourself.” “Free from having to impress anyone, or dressing a certain way.” “Creating connections that help us understand each other.” “We connect on a deeper level.”

What is trending in social media? Avoda brothers meeting in a variety of cities, raising money to help the homeless, hungry kids and medical research, and supporting one another.

Leadership. Everyone at Avoda learns to be a man. Campers observe admirable qualities in their counselors. Older campers have “little brothers” in Bunks 1 and 2. Counselors in Training (CITs) learn to manage groups of campers, plan and implement activities, and develop skills and refine them through feedback and evaluation from experienced adults.

Counselors get real-life leadership opportunities, including leading all-camp and small-group activities, developing relationships with campers, and honing their skills under the leadership of senior staff members.

Spirit. Healthy, good-natured competition is an element of the spirit that is Camp Avoda. Learning to win graciously, and lose just as graciously, is an important part of the Avoda experience. Color War, complete with athletic competitions, plays written by staff and campers, camaraderie and team pride, is the ultimate display of spirit each summer. Jam sessions on the bunks’ porches, dance parties before bed, early morning Ping-Pong, waterfront races, league championships, inter-camp games – it’s all part of the spirited Camp Avoda experience.

At Camp Avoda, campers become CITs. CITs become staff members. Staff members become alumni. Alumni become leaders, family men, volunteers, fundraisers.

When we talk with our alumni, time and time again they articulate the lessons they learned at Camp Avoda.

RONNI SALTZMAN GUTTIN is the director of Camp Avoda. She can be reached by email ronni@campavoda.org.

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