How Camp Shaped My Life and Connection to Judaism


By Erica Bloom

Erica Bloom with husband and sons attending Family Camp at Camps Airy & Louise

“Live the good you learn here.”

Some of the wisest words and a motto I learned at Camp Louise, a Jewish overnight camp in Cascade, MD. These words describe how camp has transformed and shaped my life as a friend, mother, partner, colleague, and contributing member of society. I’ve been one happy camper ever since my early days at camp.

I grew up attending elementary and middle school with few other Jewish students. When introduced to Jewish camps, I was drawn towards the communal-feel. I immediately felt like I was part of a community rooted in values, rituals, friendships, and fun.

My 11 years at Camp Louise was lifechanging. I was hooked from the start. Camp was a welcome escape from stresses at home and a place where I felt like I could be myself in a world where many teenagers struggle to navigate life. Camp provided a safe and judgement-free environment. We would sometimes step out of our comfort zone, try new things, explore Judaism in an experiential way, all while feeling secure among good friends by our side.

Because of my camp experience, I felt more connected to being Jewish. I became a “lifer”. After being a CIT (counselor in training), I continued to work at camp and strived to curate immersive and transformative experiences for campers that would build up their self-confidence and strengthen their Jewish identity and sense of belonging.  

Camp remains an integral part of my life and my family’s. My sons have grown up going to JCC day camp and, like me, they now count down the days for their summers at Camp Airy, the brother camp to Camp Louise. Every year, I spend one weekend at Camp Louise for a reunion with camp friends, past counselors, campers, and lifelong “framily” (friends who have become like family). My husband and sons attend Family Camp at Camps Airy & Louise, which deepened our connection to the camps and our family’s Jewish life.

The benefits of Jewish camp are endless. Whether day or overnight camp is your jam, the experience can drive lifelong Jewish connections and life skills.

Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from camp:

  • Whether it was sharing my bed as a sitting area, a flashlight, food, friendship bracelet string, or clothes, sharing is caring.
  • I was more prepared for the transition to college dorm life and adulting, thanks to camp and living a communal life where we created a space that was our own and collectively cared for and cleaned
  • The importance of connections, relationships, and friendships that are forge through immersive experiences.
  • Camp opened my mind to Jewish life beyond the formal religious/institutionalized setting I was accustomed to. Camp presented many of the same Jewish rituals, prayers, and values that I learned in previous settings but through more informal, experiential, and engaging methods.
  • Camp introduced me to my best friends, who remain my closest to this day.

Like many parents, I try to instill values upon my children – to teach them to be positive contributors to society, to provide them with the tools and experiences that will help shape their lives and the decisions they make, and to “Live the Good You Learn Here”, which camp instilled in me.

Family Camp is an incredible way to engage with our kids and with Jewish life. Experience an unforgettable weekend coming up December 16 – 18 at Pearlstone.


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The Associated is a home for everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community. We offer several email lists to help people find a community, engage with their peers and support Jewish journeys around the world.

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