From Bug Juice to Gratitude

From Bug Juice to Gratitude: How Summer Camp Accidentally Prepared Us for Thanksgiving

Let’s face it—summer camp and Thanksgiving have more in common than just questionable mystery meat in the Chadar Ochel. Both are crash courses in forced gratitude, except at camp, you’re thanking your counselor for making you eat vegetables.

The beautiful thing is that gratitude isn’t just about politely saying “thanks” - it’s about creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where kindness flows as freely as coffee cake on Shabbat!

Just like how we learned to appreciate those lukewarm showers at camp (because hey, at least they weren’t ice cold), Thanksgiving teaches us to be grateful for what we have - even if what we have is Aunt Yael’s “famous” casserole that somehow every Thanksgiving is just inedible.

So this Thanksgiving, channel your inner camp person and show gratitude with the enthusiasm of a kid who just found out it’s their day for Canteen. Whether you’re wearing a friendship bracelet or stretchy pants at the dinner table, thankfulness is always in season.

And remember - don’t forget to sing the Birkat Hamazon after eating your turkey.

Chag Thanksgiving Sameach,

Frank