I joined BBYO in my freshman year. I recall that when I first joined, I assumed BBYO was a small youth group at my local JCC, and nothing more. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I quickly learned about the extent of BBYO, which has a large presence not only at the regional level but also internationally, in over 60 regions in both the U.S. and overseas. Additionally, I learned that BBYO not only consisted of weekly chapter programs but also regional events and, of course, summer programs.

When I first heard about summer programs, I was reluctant. I had already been to a camp before, and I figured my time at summer camp was over. I never thought I would sign up for a summer program until I decided to run for regional board. I won my election and was elected as Gold Coast’s Regional Gizbor. It is highly encouraged that regional board members attend a summer program to learn skills, meet new people from across the order, and step up as a leader. So, I found myself signing up for CLTC 4.

When July came around, I found myself on a plane with three of my best friends and no expectations. When we landed, we met some of the Madrichim and found ourselves in an ocean of people we had never met. This ocean was one person smaller when an Aleph introduced himself to us. Just like us, he knew nobody, and channeled his friendship-making skills from kindergarten. I never thought making friends could be so simple. Then, we met another Aleph– I was intimidated because he was taller than I. I never would have thought at that moment that if he lived in Florida, he’d be my best friend. This is a prime example that CLTC had friends for life waiting for me, and I didn’t even know it yet.

We hopped on the bus and immediately noticed the ratio between boys and girls. There were maybe 8 guys on the bus, and 20 girls. We thought the majority of the guys were on the other bus. Technically, we were right, but “majority” meant 12 guys. We had this group chat created beforehand, and during this long bus ride, we caught up on what was being said and who was saying it, trying to piece together the cliques and personalities of the other members. We didn’t piece together much.

After the long ride, we arrived at the campgrounds and waited outside the dining hall. My friend from home brought his poker set, and right after putting it on the picnic table, all 20 boys swarmed the table like moths to a flame. For fifteen minutes, he was the most popular one there. Meeting everyone in this moment was overwhelming. It seemed everyone was excited and tried to act a certain way for first impressions. This mainly meant they were loud. I became even more overwhelmed when I was put in the other cabin away from my friends from home. This mistake was fixed, but my first impression of CLTC was a little discouraging. 

The first two days of CLTC were difficult since it is an adjustment period. It can be a little boring at times, and you may ask yourself if this was a good idea. Hang in there. The teens are adjusting to each other and the environment, the Madrichim are adjusting to the teens, and the programs are being set up. The title of this post is inspired by my counselor, since it was his response when I asked if this was what CLTC is like the entire time. He laughed when I asked, and looking back on that conversation, I’m laughing now too. After the first two days, the real personalities of the Alephs started to emerge, the programs became engaging and constant, and the camp environment became like home.

I mentioned before that there were 20 Alephs and 40 BBG’s. This made the connection with the Alephs even stronger. The same counselor who told me about the 9 days told me that each session of CLTC was different in its own way. He told me that our session had the closest group of alephs out of all four sessions. I felt this completely throughout the session. I had a friendship with every single Aleph in my session, and we never had any feuds. I arrived at CLTC with three best friends, and left with 5 more. The eight of us talk every day, and our group chat is my most active one, almost a year later. AZA is a brotherhood, and CLTC is the best encapsulation of that.

I’m writing this post because, as Summer becomes closer, I want to give the following advice to those attending CLTC and summer programs: keep an open mind. Keep an open mind throughout your BBYO experience, and I promise you that you won’t regret it. I urge any Aleph or BBG to take the chance on a summer experience, and to stick with it in the beginning. If you do, it will be the highlight of your summer and even your high school career. It was for me, and I would’ve never expected it. I’m jealous that you get to experience a summer experience for the first time, because if I had the chance to relive it, I would in an instant. Wishing you an amazing summer!