THE 1946 SEASON

One thousand and six hundred young people between the ages of ten and sixteen have spent the past summer living as chalutzim in our eleven Camp Kvutzot. These camps, located near Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, New York, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and at the chava, are the strongest educational instrument which we possess. It is through the way of life at our camps that we are able to bring about, in the individual's life, that revolution in thought which is so necessary if he is to become a good chaver, a good menahel, and, finally, a chalutz. It is only by having the youngster with us twenty-four hours a day for several weeks that we are able to get across to him the ideas and principles of our movement, the identification with Judaism, and, finally, the positive attitude toward chalutziut. 

But the most important aspect of our camp work is the growth of the individual. It is here that he sits down to discuss at the community meeting all the problems of his daily life; it is here that he feels free to express himself in whatever field he desires; it is here that he begins to think about himself and his future life; it is here that he is stirred by the singing, the medurot (campfires), the onegei Shabbat.

A few examples may be in place. At the Winnipeg camp, a vaadat chaverim was established. The vaada (committee) was composed of five chaverim elected by the campers' assembly. The group met every day during the rest period. If any chaver or chavera in the camp had any suggestions or recommendations or criticism of any sort, that chaver or chavera could come to the vaadat chaverim and present his suggestions or complaints. For instance, chaverim came to it when their roofs leaked, when they had suggestions for improving the sports program. In this fashion the vaada served as a sounding board for the opinions of the campers and was an excellent medium for getting things off one's chest. It allowed for a maximum of expression on the part of the campers.

Kinneret, the Detroit camp, worked out another interesting idea. While the Jewish Agency was meeting to discuss the situation in Zionism which had developed during the summer, the entire camp constituted itself as a mock Jewish Agency and also held discussions of the situation and proposals for the future. Several chaverim adopted the names and roles of their counterparts in the Agency. The camp as a whole was so interested that they decided not to conduct the usual camp activities and spent the entire day at the Jewish Agency.

Our camp work was generally successful and of a high educational level. The majority of the camps were led by a group of young, enthusiastic people, many of whom had graduated from the Habonim Institute. It is interesting to note that there was a general realization of the importance of tzofiut (scouting) in our camp program, and that the majority of camps conducted intensive work in this field. This was a result of the emphasis placed on this during the Camp Kvutza Conference, held previous to the camp openings. It was at this conference that we also decided upon the cultural program which was to be carried out. Briefly, the camps dealt with such subjects as the Zionist emergency, the history of the Diaspora, Zionist classics, what is Habonim, and Jewish tradition. There was special emphasis on the Hagana and our role in the present situation.

It wasn't so long ago that our camps were few and far between and were run in a hit-and-miss fashion. Though we are; often dissatisfied with our camps from a technical and administrative : aspect, we know that we have developed a good deal in the last few- years. Despite the difficulties of the war years, our camps have grown into a tremendous enterprise worth a quarter of a million dollars. We have recognized that camping in Habonim fashion is the way of educating our people and the way of attracting people to us. We have to understand that we have become a partner of the other '"top notchers" in this field.

Consequently, what are our plans for future work? An important decision was taken recently by the merkaz to form a Habonim Camping Association. This association will incorporate all thee camps; become a central purchasing agency for food, crafts, and books; examine the facilities of each camp in order to determine improvements; and issue a manual on camp administration. The association will also deal with the educational program of our camps. "We will conduct special conferences for directors, seminars for counselors, orientation meetings for campers. Tzofiut will become an accepted and important part of the camp day. Work periods will play a more; vital part in the life of the chaver. Our aim is to establish shops of all types (carpentry, plumbing, electricity, sewing) and actually teach the chaverim how to work in a definite field.

The importance that is attached to this work,: is perhaps best epitomized by the saying current among our members: "Camp Kvutza is the Sabbath of our movement."

ROSE BRESLAU, , New York, 1946