Op-Ed: Counselors Mixing in Summer Camps

by Rabbi Yehuda Lew

Chabad summer camps are used by many families. These camps are not just recreational spaces; they are environments where Jewish values, traditions, and religious practices are deeply ingrained in daily activities. A critical aspect of these camps is the strict adherence to Halacha, which includes guidelines on modesty and tznius interactions. In this context, the mixing of boys and girls counselors at such camps is a growing concern in my kids camps and an issue that should be addressed.

Young boy and girl counselors mixing can inadvertently lead to situations that might challenge the principles of modesty and appropriate behavior as outlined by Halacha. Adding even with the best intentions, the close quarters and informal setting of a summer camp can blur the lines, potentially leading to interactions that would not align with the standards of a chabad institution. As well as, casual conversations, shared responsibilities, and joint activities might create an atmosphere where boundaries are harder to maintain, especially among teenagers.

Knowing that in today’s day and age among some families the standards have relaxed around boy girl interactions including shabbos meals becoming very hemish with open conversations between the guests.

On the other hand I’m not saying that should stop, yet it should still be contained to one’s own home.

Venturing out of my home the impressions my kids are getting from the interactions are not their best for their education, it seems to become the norm at this point in camps.

Lately I’ve heard stories of non-chassidish things happening in such environments where teenagers are away from their parents and around not so chassidish people. Knowing this, the camp directors outright continue to ignore this. It is very inappropriate for this to be happening in Lubavitch chassidish camps. It is a breeding ground for the teenagers to go out partying all night and pick up terrible habits such as smoking etc..

There should be more consideration put into who they take on as counselors and from the parents’ side to be aware why their kids are so adamant on going to these camps.