The Only Difference that Matters is the Difference You Make in Another's Life

by Rachel Cooper

At Camp Deeny Riback, the only difference that matters is the difference you make in another's life. This concept did not hit home for me until my final day as a CDR camper this past August. Having grown up at "CDR" — I always knew camp was special, even different from other summer camps, but I could never put it in words. And then, something magical happened, I got "it" — and I owe this seeming "realization" to the experiences I had as a 9th and 10th grader in Camp Deeny Riback's Leader-in-Training (L.I.T.) program.

Being an L.I.T. has made such a huge impact on me, not just in being a good counselor but in other aspects of my life. My first year of being an L.I.T. was in 2009, and at the time I was still the shy, uncertain camper I had been the year before. I always went swimming with my campers, helped them get dressed, and sang along during music. I did everything I was supposed to but that wasn't enough. The thing I was missing was the leadership skills, the ones that put me above and beyond what is required. This summer, I came back with a new attitude and goal; to prove to both camp and myself that I can be a leader.

As soon as I got to camp this summer, what would ultimately be my "last camper summer," I gave it my all. I was more assertive, enthusiastic, and confident than ever, even if it was just a mask. I solved conflicts with my campers and peers, let myself not care what anyone thought of me, encouraged and supported "my campers" when they tried new things, and most of all, shared my ideas. I admit I was not and will never be perfect. I made some mistakes and I learned from them, but I always gave my 101% effort.

Because of my hard work, I was selected to be one of the Big Give captains along with Eliana Gladstein and Scott Ensel. Each summer, the L.I.T.s hold the CDR Big Give, a fundraiser; in order to help an organization or cause they have chosen. The L.I.T.s had a long discussion about what we wanted to raise money for. We knew we wanted to do something local and something that had to do with the joy of camp. We finally decided that we wanted to raise money for an organization called the Gift of Camp. This foundation, founded by the Landau family, raises money to help parents who have a child struggling with cancer send that child or the siblings of that child to camp. The event we chose was a 5k/Wellness Run. We asked parents to send in donations 'sponsoring' their children, and they very generously contributed to our cause. CDR staff also contributed by entering a staff Home Run Derby activity. The day of the event was a blast for everyone, especially our Junior Village campers, who loved the balloons they received at the finish line. In all, we raised over $2,100. Every L.I.T. was so proud of our accomplishment and even happier to know that a less fortunate child will be able to have an amazing CDR experience next summer.

During our L.I.T. meetings we were often asked, "What do you think your job as an L.I.T. is?" It's one of the hardest questions to answer. Some may answer our job is making sure the campers have a safe and fun-filled summer, while others may say it is applying endless amounts of sunscreen and serving jelly sandwiches at lunch. It is in these "are we a camper or counselor" conversations that we learn the most about what camp is all about and who we are all about.

This summer's experience has changed me drastically as a person. I gained so much confidence from not only organizing a successful Big Give, but gaining the trust of my campers, co-counselors, and unit leaders, learning to express my ideas and not caring what people thought of me, but of how I thought about myself. I was so inspired by our camp's Big Give that I'm thinking of ways to incorporate a Big Give into my school activities. Organizing the Big Give made me realize that I can make a difference, especially when surrounded by supportive people including Diana Ackerman, our camp director, and Shira Lahav, our L.I.T. supervisor, who we could not have made the Big Give successful without.

So, here I am — a former CDR camper who not only went through the two-year leadership-in-training program, but was selected to be a "Big Give Captain," too. Soon, I'll be applying for a junior counselor position at CDR. Participating in Camp Deeny Riback's L.I.T. program has changed me in ways that will affect me for the rest of my life.

Rachel Cooper is a 2010 Leader in Training at Camp Deeny Riback. Camp Deeny Riback is conducted each summer by JCC MetroWest, a beneficiary agency of UJC MetroWest.

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