I often get the question: “What was the best part of the summer program you went on?” My initial answer usually covers the big moments, like Maccabiah at ILTC or our trip to Kalahari Waterpark at CLTC. However, when I really think about this question, it always comes back to the little moments that make the summer experience so much more memorable. This is a list of the Top Ten “Best Parts” of a Summer Program, the seemingly mundane moments that I will remember forever.

‍

10. Stepping Out of Your Cabin in the Morning. The walk to breakfast, feeling the crisp Pennsylvania air, looking at the mountains in the distance, and hearing the birds chirp around you. Maybe it’s because I live in Florida and never get to experience the cold in the summer, but the feeling of waking up in the mountains every day is something I will never forget. Starting the day not just surrounded by nature but surrounded by all of your best friends is truly special and one of the things I miss most about my days at CLTC and ILTC.

‍

9. The Community Pickles and Egg Salad. This is a tradition that started at my table in the dining hall when we realized we all enjoyed these delicious foods. Some people definitely told us our habit was disgusting, but we enjoyed it thoroughly. Every lunch and dinner began with a trip to the salad bar to pick up the pickles and egg salad to be shared throughout the meal.

‍

8. Shabbat A Cappella. Shabbat A Cappella is a moment where the entire camp comes together to create incredible sounds with just our voices. The first time I experienced this, I was in awe. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and it made me feel so grateful to be a part of a community this powerful. Being surrounded by such special people on a daily basis genuinely makes the summer program experience what it is.

‍

7. Walking the Loop. The loop is a 3-mile trail that takes you out and around Perlman’s surrounding area. It boasts incredible views of the Poconos, the perfect amount of time to talk to your friends, and cows. Yes, there are cows. Looping might just sound like going for a walk, but it is so much more than that. To truly understand the power of The Loop, you’ll have to come see for yourself.

‍

6. Rikkudim/Israeli Dancing. Dare I say, the most fun part of any BBYO Summer Program! One thing about me is that I am a terrible dancer. Another thing about me is that I love Israeli Dancing so much that I wrote my college essay about it. Getting the chance to have fun and dance to awesome Israeli music with your friends is a moment I look back on a lot.

‍

5. Shuk. My Shuk order? A frozen Twix. Every. Single. Day. The crunch of the frozen cookie mixed with the cold caramel and a perfect chocolate coating. But truly, there is a snack for everyone at Shuk, and it makes every day brighter.

‍

4. Sitting on the Porch Together After Lights Out. The part of the night that most of my cabin looked forward to during the day. Whether we were sharing stories from our first regional convention, watching funny videos together, or just talking about our lives, it was always a blast. Even though it was basically the middle of the night and we probably should have been going to sleep, the laughs that these conversations brought us are unforgettable.

‍

3. Shabbos Cake. Ok, I realize this is the third thing concerning food, but the list would not be complete without it. The chants across the dining hall for the Shabbos Cake to come, the scrambling to get forks for the whole table, and the way the entire cake would be demolished within minutes. Nothing compares to the joy on everyone’s face the moment a delicious bite of the dairy-free (perfect for us lactose-intolerant folk) cake enters their mouth.

‍

2. Havdalah Around the Perlman Tree. A truly magical moment and the perfect start to each week you spend at a Summer Program. I will never forget standing arm in arm with the people I love the most as we began a new week together. The moment that Shabbat ends and the lights to the Perlman Tree flicker on is insanely beautiful and something you must experience.

‍

1. DMCs During Chofesh (and Every Other Moment of the Day). In case you don’t know, a DMC is a Deep Meaningful Conversation. At a Summer Program, you only have two or three weeks to get to know the people around you, AKA your soon-to-be best friends. DMCs are my favorite way to break through the surface-level conversations and really get to know your friends on a personal level. I remember a particular DMC I had at Perlman that always sticks out to me. The power had been out for two days, so no one was using their phones, and we had time for real, in-depth conversations. We all connected on a deeper level and gained a better understanding of one another. This is a moment I will always cherish.

‍

So, next time someone asks me what my favorite parts of a BBYO Summer Program are, my answer is this. Not the WOW moments people might expect, but rather the small traditions and moments created by spending quality time with my best friends.

‍