CHImThankful 2020
We all know that 2020 has been a year like no other. For the first time in our history, we made the heartbreaking choice to not have camp. Usually festivities and gatherings like Passover and the High Holidays were moved to the computer or cancelled altogether. Celebrations of birthdays, b’nai mitzvot, anniversaries, graduations, and more became drive by parades and Zoom calls. Plans for travel were canceled and an outing to the grocery store was a new adventure. At the same time, long overdue calls for racial justice, equality, and police reform were heard and echoed throughout the world. No matter who you are, your 2020 was impacted in one way or another.
Now, as we gear up for Thanksgiving, many of us are struggling to find the answer to the typical holiday question- “What are you thankful for this year?” The Chi Team has worked tirelessly during this year to be there for our Chi Family and to find the positivity in the cards we’ve been dealt. Yes- we canceled camp. But that will make the 100th summer so much sweeter. The same can be said for cancelled holiday gatherings, birthdays, etc. In addition to our health and the health of those we care about, we’ve prepared a list of 5 things we are thankful for that are unique to this year.
TECHNOLOGY
At camp, we pride ourselves in unplugging from technology. Campers who spend hours at home on their phones or playing video games spend hours on the ropes course or in the cove. The Wi-Fi connection is not nearly as important as the human connection. That all was different this year. While we usually stay away from technology, we embraced it this year. Through technology, we did a virtual summer kick-off, Chi Burning, countless song sessions, evening programs, and so much more. We are proud that we were able to provide some sort of virtual engagement for the Camp Chi family on an almost daily basis throughout the spring and summer. And now if you are ever missing camp, you can head over to the CHIdeas page for our virtual program library.
TENACITY
The drive that we have as the full-time staff is only matched by our amazing summer staff. While all of our campers found themselves without summer plans when we cancelled camp, hundreds of young people found themselves scrambling to find a job. Many staff reached out asking how they could help and led virtual programs or worked at our Chi Family Getaway program. One particular group really stepped up to deliver the program they wanted- the SIT staff. Through the tenacity of the SIT Staff, the SITs of 2020 had their SIT Summer, albeit a different one than they had imagined. They still created their hand symbol, made their plaque, celebrated SIT Shabbat, and are proud Camp Chi SITs.
RECONNECTING
Without camp this summer, we heard from so many families, staff, and alumni that wanted to visit the Lake Delton grounds just to briefly be home. We heard their calls and responded with Chi Family Getaway. Little did we know the impact this program would have. What we envisioned as a chance for campers to bring their families to Chi became an opportunity for alumni to come home and share the Camp Chi Magic with their families. Some who had not been to camp for decades returned to share their home with the next generation. Not having camp really demonstrated our tagline- Here for Summer. Home for Life.
CAMP CHI FAMILY
Being thankful for the Camp Chi Family is not unique to this year. But we have more admiration and love for the Camp Chi Family this year than ever before. In our darkest time, the Camp Chi Family showed up to support one another, us and to support Camp Chi. The decision to cancel camp was incredibly hard, and so many parents, staff, and alumni reached out to offer support and reaffirm their dedication. The number of families who converted all or part of their 2020 payments to donations was overwhelming, just like the sheer volume of donations from our alumni and community members. It really goes to show that the Camp Chi Family is really a family, a legacy that has lasted 100 years and will go on for hundreds more.
LEMONADE MENTAILTY
You are probably reading this and see “Lemonade Mentality” and think we’ve lost our minds. But the 4 previous topics are impossible without the mentality of making lemonade our of lemons. At Chi this is better known as the mantra “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.” It is ingrained in our staff throughout training, a focus of the SIT program, and something we even a lesson for campers when things don’t go as expected. 2020 made us practice what we preach, when our offices were moved to our homes, our summer plans abruptly changed, and our revenue stream reversed. We relied on our training, creativity, technology, tenacity, and the Camp Chi Family to guide us in the creation of the virtual programs, Chi Family Getaway, SIT Summer, and so much more. With the chant of improvise, adapt, overcome in our heads, we are excited to march forward to Summer 2021, no matter what is thrown our way, and we can’t wait to celebrate our 100th with you!
So Camp Chi Family, what are you thankful for? Our challenge to you is to find the rainbow on the rainy day of 2020, and share what you are thankful for this year. Share it on social media, use #CHImThankful and be sure to tag us.