By Morgan Bell

Aside from being the name of Camp Harlam’s counselor in training (CIT) and leadership development program, “gesher” is the Hebrew word for bridge. This word accurately marks the period of time our CITs are in as they navigate the dynamic of leaving the camper world behind and entering that of a counselor. As a Gesher participant in 2014, I remember all of the different anxieties, joys, challenges, and successes that make up this summer of transition.

Now, I am the Gesher Assistant, guiding this group of 42 young adults through it all in a moment of transition myself. I haven’t been back to camp for a full summer on staff in 4 years, but after graduating college and preparing to enter the real world, I felt using my moment of transition to give back to the community that made me the person I am today would be incredibly rewarding, especially if I could lead Gesher through theirs. Together we are crossing bridges into phases of adulthood as we grow as leaders.

Even in the first few days of camp, the Gesher team has had the privilege of watching this incredible group of leaders grow into the role models we all idolized as campers. Watching them reluctantly jump into the “refreshing” Z pool during instructional swim, comfort campers at the wall, and sit with their campers at meals truly amazes me. They are embracing the bridge wholeheartedly, and I feel so fortunate to share this experience with them. Each night the CITs come back to the Bayit full of stories consisting of funny camper quotes, of being asked the same questions 16 times, and of moments in which they felt they didn’t know what to do. All of these little anecdotes thrust me back into my first time crossing the bridge, when I had no idea what I was doing but was just so excited to be doing it. Now, in another new position and period of transition, I still have those moments, which I hope the CITs can see. A big part of working at camp is learning as you go, and together we are learning and growing in a kehillah kedosha (sacred community).

After our first 12 hour experience in which the CITs are “on” with their bunks and departments for 12 hours straight, many of them shared with me how it opened their eyes to how difficult the job of being a counselor is and that they have a greater appreciation for all of their camp mentors and role models. I feel similarly. If it weren’t for the countless mentors I had at camp, from the incredible 2014 Gesher team, to all of my counselors, and a Chavurah buddy, I certainly would not be back here using my transitional moment to guide a group of 17-year-olds through theirs. What the CITs do not yet realize is that watching them fearlessly jump into the unknown of being “their own coverage” (not yet a counselor, but no longer a camper) has inspired me and shown me how wonderful transitions can be. I am so excited to guide the CITs of 2019 along as they cross the bridge into counselor-hood as a part of their community.

Morgan Bell is from Horsham, PA. She recently graduated from Princeton University. This is her 10th summer at Camp Harlam. Her favorite activities at camp are: campfires, tennis, water zumba and the swing!