![]() Whether it is providing therapies to help children attain calm or focus, or equipping staff with better training in mental health literacy, the aim is to ensure “children and adolescents reach their development potential.” Breakout scenarios can cause “a traumatic experience where you can say, ‘Everyone is safe, it’s funny and things go back to normal five seconds later,’ but you are jerking a kid out of their routine, which is something to be sensitive about.”įrom start to end, color war can present an overstimulating and challenging experience for campers who struggle with transitions or are sensitive to loud noise, noted Speck. Providing vast opportunities for involvement is critical, Speck said, as is remaining cognizant of both the individual and the collective.įor color war in general, but especially when it comes to breakout, “you have to keep in mind any sensitivities,” said Akiva Sutofsky, a licensed professional counselor. If you were crafty and wanted to do an art project and present it, or if you were athletic and competed in games, or artsy and directed plays, or you recited a bracha (blessing) or answered a quiz, there were ways for you to contribute to your team.” “There were so many different ways you could contribute to the team. “Color war just showcased everyone’s talents,” said Ziff. Every summer presents a desire to outdo the last, but the general focus is upholding certain values, she explained. Between being a camper, staff and captain, “I have participated in I’d say 30-plus color wars,” she said. ![]() Speck said color war holds a special place in her heart. Photo courtesy of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh ![]() Tug of war is a classic color war component. Between the surprise, nostalgia, tradition, competition and camaraderie, “it is the biggest, most important program that we do.” “If the red truck was nearby, you knew color war was happening,” Scott said.ĭepending on location, the details may look a bit different but “at almost every Jewish overnight camp you go to it’s a huge part of camp,” said Rachael Speck, EKC’s associate director. “Usually color war starts with a shtick or a little skit put on by the staff members,” involving elements of “what the theme is going to be,” then a memorable vehicle would approach. Get The Jewish Chronicle Weekly Edition by email and never miss our top storiesĪll summer long everyone anticipates color war, and “the breaks can happen at night, after dinner, after snack, at flagpole, any time of the day,” echoed Jamie Scott, an Emma Kaufmann Camp veteran and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s director of the Children, Youth and Families Department.įor 17 years, between the ages of 7 and 24, Scott attended EKC, and although she cannot recall the specifics of each breakout, there was always a pattern. “Anytime any little thing would go wrong, if a counselor broke his arm or a bus was late, from the first day of camp there were whisperings that it’s color war breakout,” said Shana Ziff, a Squirrel Hill resident who attended Camp Stone in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, for nearly a decade.
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