By Eric Phelps
Director
The summer of 2009 was an historic one for all of us. It was a time when we examined how to deal with highly changing conditions, worked together in small teams of leaders to solve complex problems and stayed on mission to achieve something truly remarkable. Yes, that's right - this summer was the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission which put the first humans on the moon.
It turns out that I awoke at URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp on the morning of July 20, 2009 - 40 years after the historic moon landing. Though the camp founders may not have viewed themselves as "heroes" or "history makers," they too had planted a flag in unchartered territory - only this one was staked in Utica, Mississippi.
Opening - and operating - a camp has certain similarities to journeying to the moon. They both begin by declaring and embracing a bold vision and creating a clear plan for success. They require financial and human resources, strong management and the hard work of literally hundreds of support staff. Camp success also requires strong "civilian and professional" leadership that supports the mission, both on the journey and back at home. Camp directors - like astronauts - have to be organized and have their route mapped out but remain highly adaptive to new circumstances on a daily, or even hourly, basis. And as we all know, running a camp is not without its risks - even the risk of tragic loss.
Many of the missions into space have not proceeded as originally planned. Ken Mattingly was not allowed to go on the Apollo 13 mission because of health concerns (though he later played a critical role in getting Jim Lovell and his crew safely back on earth). Likewise, the first efforts of Jacobs Camp leaders to raise money inn 1954 did not succeed. The group re-doubled and expanded their efforts in order to begin construction in 1969. These fundraising efforts, led by a small but dedicated crew, led to the establishment of an organization that has remained a vibrant part of Southern Jewish life.
During summer 2009, several camps were forced to "scrub their mission" or drastically change it in order to ensure the health of their camp community. In camps that were most seriously affected by the swine flu epidemic, leaders had to make very difficult decisions affecting hundreds of campers, staff and families while maintaining their focus on reaching their goal. Some had to postpone their launch; still others did not land where they intended. But every Grinspoon Institute affiliated camp succeeded in bringing a dynamic Jewish camping experience to their community.
As we reflect back on this summer, we recognize that it was indeed a challenging one that has an important place on the historic continuum of Jewish overnight camping. But we have faced others in the past and will deal with numerous challenges in the years ahead. As Gene Kranz, the Flight Director for the Apollo 11 and 13 missions, said about the future of space travel: We have the young people, we have the talent, we have the imagination and we have the technology... we need to have the leadership and the willingness to accept risk in order to achieve great goals. I believe we need a long-term national commitment to explore the universe. And I believe this is an essential investment in the future of our nation.
The same could be said about Jewish overnight camping. I look forward to "journeying to the moon" with you for many summers to come. |