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HE CENTER'S
From
Mike Lainoff
Assistant Executive Director,
The Toughest Job They’ll Ever Love
Every summer, over one million young men and
women in the United States put away their city clothes
and go to work at one of the many thousands of “sleep-
away” and day camps serving over nine million children
in this country and Canada. Hundreds of these camps
have a distinct Jewish clientele and/or Jewish program
emphasis.
It is a fact that children will learn in spite of anything
that adults may or may not do. They can learn from the
bully of the block that might makes right; or, they can
learn at camp under the guidance and care of interested
and committed staff, that they are part of an orderly
world which can be made better by their own efforts.
Research has shown that the camp counselor can
have a tremendous impact on the attitudes and values of
campers; an impact that may effect them the rest of their
lives. What an awesome responsibility this places on the
camp staff! And yet, with all of the tremendous responsi
bility involved, why does a young man or woman choose
to work at a camp? Money cannot be the chief reason
since even the higher paying camp jobs can’t compete
with potential earnings in industry or business. Therefore,
most staff choose to work at a camp because of the
“fringe benefits” which includes wanting to be out-of-
doors, liking children, informal' environment and the
chance to use skills they themselves learned as campers.
T hese are all valid motivations and even if the “benefits”
went no further, Da Ye Nu.
However, working at a summer camp benefits the
staff person much, much more. What can provide better
basic training for any profession or career than learning
to deal with intensive interpersonal relationships which
all camp staff must do? What can provide better basic
training for parenthood than working in summer camps
and learning. . . learningto be with children in a relaxed
and friendly atmosphere; learning to allow children to
make their own mistakes and to achieve or not to achieve
at their own pace; learning to create a feeling of
confidence with children, learning to teach children,
learning about (by being a part of) a child’s world.
Camp is a place where staff may learn and develop
new skills and interests; camp is a place to “feel |>ood
inside” from helping a homesick camper adjust, teaching
that awkward kid to swim, or helping that “strange” kid
make new friends. Staff learn that camp is a place that is a
News from the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, Inc.
child’s world which must be “peopled” by staff who are
real adults expected to accept and successfully cope with
the responsibilities they take on when they assume the
title, “Camp Staff.” Larry Melnick, (director, Camp
Barney Medintz), Shaindle Schmuckler, (director,
AJECOMCE Day Camp), Sylvia Schwartz, (director,
Camp K’Ton), and Raye Lynn Banks, (director, Camp
K’Ton Satellite) have already begun the careful selection
of staff for the 1986 camping season. Young men and
women who feel that they can measure up to the high
standards that we insist on and our campers deserve, are
invited to apply. . . “for the toughest job you’ll ever
love.”
Classic Film To Be Shown
The third in a series of classic Yiddish films will be
shown at the Peachtree AJCC Monday, Nov. 18, at 7:30
p.m. “Yiddle with the Fiddle,” a wonderful spotlight on
the musical comedic genius of Molly Picon, was the first
Yiddish movie made in Poland with sound! The film, in
Yiddish, has clear English subtitles, and has been restored
so that modern audiences may have the opportunity to
enjoy this priceless film. Following the film, the audience
is invited to join a Yiddish sing-along. The cost of the
program is S2 for advance tickets, $3 at the door, $2 for
senior adults and children under the age of 10. Call
Chana or Beverly at 875-7881.
Picadilly Lounge Comes to Zaban
In response to numerous requests from parents for a
“drop-in” lounge for young teens on a Saturday night,
Picadilly Lounge will be coming to the Zaban building.
The first lounge will feature “The Black Rabbi” with the
Mega Force Dancers, Saturday, Nov. 30at 7:30 p.m. The
Lounge is open for sixth, seventh and eighth graders, $3
for members, which includes free give-a-ways and refresh
ments. Dress is casual. . . tennis shoes a must.
For reservations, call Sara Duerr, 396-3250.
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PAGE 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 8, 1985