It was my first day in camp, and as I sat on the floor davening with my little campers, I couldn’t help but laugh along with Country Yossi’s Modeh Ani song. It’s a cheerful ditty, one that thanks Hashem for our neshamos and giving us the gift of another day. And then it continues in a humorous way, expressing gratitude for Noskes and for Paskesz and, of course, for snow storms that keep us home from school. Obviously, yummy snacks rank high on the scale of importance for kids, and students of all ages anxiously await snow days. But does that mean that kids dread the end of these last drops of summer sunshine and the imminent start of school? Does even the deluge of crisp new notebooks, spanking new school bags, and colorful new shoes not tempt them?
Personally, I always looked forward to school. As the last weeks of summer vacation faded ever so slowly into oblivion, I spent much time peering excitedly at my school supplies, dreaming of that very first day with friends and teachers and learning. Was I alone in my excitement?
Apparently not. A survey I conducted met surprising results: 80% of the students interviewed are at least a little bit excited for the school year to begin. “Because then we’re going to be able to play in the gym!” exclaims Moshe W., a TI student entering fifth grade. Moshe thoroughly enjoys camp – when he can play to his heart’s content without work hovering over his head – but recess in the gym is a whole new ballpark.
A huge factor, of course, is the newness. A new year connotes a fresh start, a blank page, the promise of the unknown. “Everything is just so new,” says Shifra Schuchman, an eighth grader in Bais Yaakov middle school. “There are new school supplies, new everything. It’s just a new, fresh start.”
Motti Berkowitz, a first grader, wholeheartedly agrees, explaining that “It’s the beginning of the year, and there’s lots of stuff that’s new.”
The first day of school is a time to meet new friends and new teachers, and Tova W. eagerly awaits this once-a-year opportunity.
Azaryah Schwartz, a fifth-grader in TA, concurs: “I’m excited about meeting new teachers,” he says. “In school the teachers do fun activities to keep the kids going. During the summer, I miss the fun activities. For example, we have FOP – finger on place – and every two weeks we have a raffle, and we get to win prizes.”
Prizes and good food never go out of style, it seems. During the summer, Batsheva S. dreams of the candy she will receive in school, and Motti misses hot lunch, especially the pizza. Sima Schuchman eagerly awaits each month’s Rosh Chodesh treats, usually cookies, and Kayla is looking forward to having a siyum on Parshas Vayeira, which, she enthusiastically explains, she will begin this year in third grade.
Yes, according to Kayla, classes and learning tempt our students too. Yissachar misses his Hebrew classes during the summer, and Moshe is impatiently looking forward to beginning Gemara this year. Avigayil Lieder laments that she doesn’t learn math during the summer, and Avraham Lieder agrees. “I did two whole books of math in pre-1A!” he proudly proclaims. Avraham also enjoys reading – only in school, not at home – and although he has a blast in camp doing projects and swimming, he does miss learning.
Though the academic aspect of school appeals to many children, the social scene is what attracts the majority of students. “I’m excited to see my friends!” declares Avigayil. “And to have recess. It’s the best part of the day!”
Penina, who is going into 11th grade and attends sleep-away camp, contemplates both sides of the coin. “In camp,” she says, “you get to be with people from a lot of different places, and you get to know so many different types of things. But during the summer, I miss seeing my friends. I’m excited about school, so I can see everyone I didn’t see or talk to in the summer.”
“If you don’t go to the same camp as your friends, you don’t get to see them so much,” explains Tova. “During the summer, I don’t get to see all my friends,” seconds Rena Kreindler. Leah, Shifra, and Sima all agree that, though school and work can be taxing, the promise of days filled with friends entices even the most stressed-out student.
Yes, many students agree, school is not all peaches and cream; it’s stressful. Yet Sima eagerly awaits the beginning of the school year. Why? Because then she won’t have to do summer homework. Many students dread the homework and tests that seem to be school’s best friend. They’d much rather partake in camp’s carefree sports and fun activities. Compared to school, camp wins the popularity contest hands down. “Camp is much more fun because there’s no stress. Instead, you go to fun activities,” says Shifra.
Moshe concurs: “In camp you’re playing; you’re not doing work!”
“In camp you don’t have to do all the work that you have to do in school,” elaborates Motti.
“And in school they don’t have all the good activities that they have in camp!” Kayla adds that in school, the packed schedule leaves no room for swimming. In camp it’s the highlight of her day!
In addition, camp doesn’t come with the restraint of a desk. Come summer, shackles fly away with the wind, replaced by endless expanses of grass. Camp activities emit boundless energy, inviting cheers and running and so much laughter. “In camp,” explains Avigayil, “I don’t have to sit in my seat for a whole hour.”
“I wish summer was 10 months long. It’s more fun, and you don’t sit at a desk the whole day,” agrees Yissachar.
“Yes,” bemoans Avraham, “In school you have to sit in your spot for a long time.”
But there is something pleasant about the structure of school, the hours spent immersed in stimulating brain activity. “It’s nice to have more structure,” says Penina. “Even though school is very stressful, I still appreciate it when I’m there. I might not be ‘Yay, it’s school again!’ but once I’m there, I appreciate it.”
Been There, Done That
Hindsight, they say, is 20/20. Looking back at 12-plus years of school, what do graduates say of the tests and homework they no longer have?
“I always looked forward to seeing new friends after the summer and having a fresh start with new teachers, new classes, and new notebooks,” reminisces Tammy. “I miss seeing friends on a daily basis, and I miss that everything was planned out for me – I didn’t have to make any major decisions myself – and I miss the daily inspiration.” Tammy admits that she is more of a camp girl. “I enjoy the more chilled atmosphere and fun activities and lack of homework, but I don’t think a longer summer would be beneficial. When school comes, I’m ready for school.”
Does Tammy have any regrets? “I wish I would have appreciated school more and taken advantage of the amazing classes and teachers who were spiritual role models,” she says. “Here’s a message for current students: All those things that you stressed about, once you graduate, won’t matter anymore: for example, classes, grades, senior jobs, and which dance you’re in for production. Live in the moment and enjoy every second of the fun parts. Take advantage of the good parts of school and maybe try to pay attention once in a while. You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it!”
As a recent graduate myself, I can’t say I miss the tests, homework, and research reports. But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss the learning, the lessons in Chumash, Navi, math, history, and English. And the learning didn’t end with psukim and the quadratic equation; rather, it ambled into teachings of emunah (faith), dabbling in profound lessons of achdus (unity) and yiras Shamayim (fear of Heaven). Lessons were taught by the principals, teachers, secretaries, and fellow classmates, and they were taught with laughter, love, and so much warmth.
Yes, school can be stressful. Yes, there is too much of a focus on academics and grades. And yes, it’s not as fun as camp. But school is an adventure. It’s learning to persevere through the hard times; it’s learning that it’s okay to fail every once in a while; and it’s learning how to successfully work with others. It’s learning lessons for life.
