Jewish Camps USA

Country Roads, Take me Home… to Emma Kaufmann Camp!

It’s now been three weeks since I’ve been back at the place I call my second home. It’s funny how I never thought I’d end up in West Virginia let alone love it! Throughout the year I wondered what it would be like returning but in reality it feels like I never even left.

From the second I drove through the gates I felt at home and happy! Life at sleepaway camp is always so chaotic and fun and from the first second I jumped straight back in! I can’t even explain the feeling of reuniting with my best friends who I’ve been waiting all year to see! As a returner, staff week was very different. I knew mostly everyone and how the camp worked and it was so exciting to be able to help new staff and give advice to people in the same position I was in last year!

Staff week flew by and before I knew it the campers were arriving and I was ready to become a big sister, mum and friend to a new group of girls. Watching the buses empty as all the kids arrive is my favourite thing because everyone is always so happy to be back! I got to reunite with my old campers which was amazing and it was so great to see how they had grown over the past year! I then met my cabin. For first session I am a single counsellor for 5 girls which is a huge honour because it shows that my work last year paid off and I am trusted enough to be on my own! The girls in my cabin are 10 years old and are the cutest, funniest and sweetest girls. For 3 of them it’s their first time at camp and I’m doing everything to make sure they’re having the best time so that they come back next summer!

It’s only been a short amount of time back at EKC but it feels like I never left and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer brings! #countryroadstakemehome

Hannah Freund
Emma Kaufmann Camp