Summer Magic

I believe in summer magic.

I have spent the last seven summers at a sleep away camp in Hendersonville, NC. I truly believe that this camp, Blue Star, defines what summer magic is all about. At Blue Star, memories, friends and emotions are found in large quantities. Blue Star is one of the few places where I feel completely comfortable and safe. Imagine having a place to go as your comfort zone for seven summers. Through my participation in the many positive and interesting activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I learned to not be afraid and to take risks. One summer I went white water rafting down the Nantahala River. I didn’t just raft down the river; I rafted down it in my very own raft! I was filled with excitement and fear as I maneuvered the raft around rocks and through class three rapids. When we finished down the river, I felt a sense of magic within me. The type of magic that made me say “Wow, I can’t believe I just did that, ALL BY MYSELF!” Summer magic at Blue Star is always present, but it shines through even more on Friday nights and Saturdays. Since Blue Star is a Jewish camp, Shabbat and prayers are very important in maintaining a Jewish culture. The spiritual feeling that is given off when all six hundred campers and staff members are sitting, praying together, is magical. The magic of six hundred people praying for Israel and thanking G-d for what has been given to them is amazing. The most magical part of Blue Star is how easy it is to make best friends. In the real world it is hard to be yourself. You might be embarrassed because you’re not wearing the new Ed Hardy shirt or your parents wouldn’t buy you that new, pearl black BMW. But at camp you can be yourself without worrying about being judged. I met six of my closest friends at camp. As I grow older, memories, emotions and friends may fade away, but the personal magic I found at Blue Star will stay with me forever.