The Best Decision I Almost Didn’t Make

My name is Max Hurwitz and I am a SIT of 2017. To be able to associate your name with the SIT tradition at Camp Chi is an incredible honor. SIT summer was one of the most life-changing summers of my life. It was my fifth year at Camp Chi and to be able to complete the circle from being a camper and hearing about all how amazing SIT Summer is, to actually experiencing my SIT summer was extremely fulfilling. However, deciding whether to be a part of this longstanding tradition was not so easy.
In the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do with my summer. I am not the best decision maker, so having to decide between participating in SIT summer, something I had long wanted to be a part of, or going on a different summer program with BBYO, which would give me new and unique experiences, was no easy task. Torn between the two, I sought advice from people who had experienced both, each giving me reasons why I should do one or the other. Around the time of the holiday break, I had pretty much decided that I was going to go to Italy through BBYO. I wasn’t interested in the length of SIT summer, and was intrigued by the idea of leaving the country by myself. Then, after talking with my friends and further thinking, I realized something- SIT summer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I only had one chance of participating in it. I could go to Italy, or any other country, anytime, but I could only be a SIT once. Realizing this, I changed my mind and signed up to be a SIT. Making that decision allowed me to make new friendships and strengthen old ones. It allowed me to discover answers to questions I had from when I was a camper, and allowed me to ask new questions. It gave me great experiences that made the 8 weeks seem like nothing, and left me wanting more. And ,most importantly, the traditions attached to being a SIT are indescribable, and can only be given justice by partaking in them. Don’t get me wrong, there were times when being a SIT really tried me and pushed my limits. While those times were hard, all they did was strengthen me and give me a new wide range of skill sets that I can apply not just to being a counselor, but to many aspects of life.
If you are reading this and are torn on whether to become a SIT or to be involved with what I am sure is another amazing experience, think about the opportunity of each. Realizing that I could only be a SIT once is what pushed me to sign up for SIT summer. Whether it’s the SIT program or not, always go with the experience that means the most to you, and only presents itself once. I chose not to go on PNW, and that is one of my biggest regrets. Do something that will excite you, and when you decide, run with it and don’t hold back. Whatever you do, it will be great if you make it great. Go into it with a positive attitude and open mind. The most important thing is to jump at an opportunity when it arises, and by doing that, you can’t go wrong.
Max Hurwitz is a SIT of 2017 and a five-year camper at Chi. Just a year ago, Max was very torn between BBYO and being SIT, and chose to share his experience with the Camp Chi Family, and future SITs who are weighing similar options.