By Eric Schucht, Jewish Exponent, July 12, 2019
Summer camp has always been an opportunity for teens to have an impactful experience during a formative period of their lives. And in the wake of the #MeToo movement, the conversations during the camp experience have begun to change, leading to a shift in the culture of summer camp staff training.
In April, the Jenkintown-based nonprofit Moving Traditions hosted a two-day training event as a part of CultureShift, a new initiative aimed at challenging sexism and preventing sexual harassment and assault at camp. Fifteen senior staffers from nine Jewish overnight camps from across the country were present, including leaders from three camps in the Philadelphia area: Habonim Dror Camp Galil, Camp Havaya and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. The aim was to allow camps to have conversations revolving around sexism, identity and power dynamics in a safe environment in order to develop tools and strategies to improve camp life and safety.