Camp Simcha Special

Words can't even describe how much Camp Simcha Special means to me. I started going when I was 14 years old, and this year, I graduated from the camp. Camp Simcha Special, a project of Chai Lifeline, is for Jewish girls with physical disabilities, although they also run a session for boys with physical disabilities in addition to sessions for boys and girls fighting cancer. I feel very fortunate to have been able to attend such an amazing camp, so I want to attempt to share what makes this place so magical.

For two weeks for the past five years, I got to live in a community where no one judged anybody else, where differences were embraced and celebrated. Every camper had a unique story, but they could all empathize and relate to each other's challenges. I made some of the best friends I could ever have from this camp, amazing girls who live all over the world, from New York to Colorado to California to Canada to England to Israel. There were many different and interesting workshops in camp, such as pottery, candlemaking, arts and crafts, canvas painting, and baking. We also had special activities, ranging from adventures like riding a motorcycle, speedboat, and helicopter to cool shows like an illusionist, pro basketball players, and French acrobats. One of my favorite days was when hundreds of supporters of Chai Lifeline bike 75 miles, with the finish line being camp. My counselor from last year did it, and I was so happy and proud of her when she completed the bike ride. Then we got to dance, which also happened at every meal. Every day was different and there were always plenty of surprises. The theme in camp this year was Simcha 365, so each day was a different holiday. On Black Friday, the oldest divisions received a surprise wake-up at 5:15. In true Black Friday tradition, we were at Walmart at 7:00 am and made it back in time for breakfast at 9:45. I didn't find it funny at the time, but now I can look back at it and laugh.

Even though there were lots of planned activities, some of my favorite moments in camp were the unplanned ones. I spent time stargazing on a chilly summer night, sat on the comfiest couches ever while learning about my friends' diagnoses, relaxed in the library, had fun making my friends laugh while preparing and performing in the play, and just enjoyed being with some of my favorite people in the world. Saturdays were full of relaxation because it was Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. I had hoped to use that time to catch up on sleep, but when I woke up earlier than most of my bunk on both Saturdays, I went to the boardwalk by the lake and read by myself while enjoying the beautiful scenery and reflecting on how lucky I was to be in this camp. My favorite night in camp this year (which also happened to be the night before the unexpected Black Friday trip) was spent on the hammocks underneath the fairy lights until midnight with one of my friends as we discussed our time in camp, our hopes for the future, and our multiple inside jokes that should not be shared on a public forum. The memories we created were worth the four hours of sleep that we got.

I want to thank my awesome counselor, who made me smile when she got equally excited while dancing, racing me up a hill, or telling the Hanukkah story. I also want to thank my fantastic bunk C1, which will always be #1 in my heart, as well as my fake bunk B2 for being pretty cool too. I am so lucky to have made such amazing friends who make me laugh, make me smile, inspire me, and support me no matter what. The happiness that I gained from camp will stay with me for the rest of my life. My five years in camp truly meant the world to me and I am so incredibly grateful for my time in Camp Simcha Special.