Sep 18, 2025
At Camp Young Judaea–Texas, leadership isn’t a title — it’s a way of life. Many people assume leadership only comes from the staff, but that’s simply not true. From the youngest chanichim (campers) to our oldest teens, opportunities to lead are built into everyday camp life. Take bunk cleanup, for example. Each camper has a job — sweeping, organizing shoes, or tackling the mysterious pile of wet towels that seems to multiply overnight. And every day, one lucky camper gets to be “in charge.” Sure, the title sounds glamorous… until you realize your leadership moment includes negotiating who gets stuck with bathroom duty. It’s a small job, but it builds real skills: delegation, responsibility, and maybe even a sense of humor.
Leadership at CYJ shows up in all kinds of ways — when a camper comforts a homesick friend, when teens organize a cabin skit, or when someone remembers the words to the second verse of the song nobody else knows. These little victories build confidence and empathy — the true marks of a leader.
By the time summer ends, campers take these lessons home. They walk into their schools and communities ready to make a difference. Yes, they know how to make their beds (hint), but more importantly, they’ve learned how to make themselves into leaders. Because at CYJ, camp isn’t just about having fun — it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. And if leadership happens to involve a broom, a mop, and some questionable lost-and-found socks? Well… that’s just camp.
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