Enriching the Lives of Children

NAME: Daniel Sher
HOMETOWN: Palos Verdes, Calif.
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR: Religious Studies and Judaic Studies
 
Camp Menorah is a Jewish day camp for children ages 3 through 16. Camp Menorah strives to provide campers with a safe, nurturing Jewish camp experience, while offering well-rounded programs. The goal is to instill pride in Judaism through athletics, arts and crafts, field trips, and other enriching activities.
 
How did you get involved in working with this summer camp?
My mother had recently taken a job with Temple Menorah and wanted me to get more involved in the community that she was now a part of. I thought working as a counselor at Camp Menorah would give me the opportunity to do just that. It was also a great way to spend more time with my mom!
 
How long have you been working there and in what positions?
I began working as a camp counselor and was then promoted to head counselor the following summer. It was after my second summer of employment that I took the job of Camp Director. I am now going on my fourth summer as the Camp Director. 
 
What does your job entail?
I am responsible for planning every aspect of the camp experience. In the fall time I begin researching and booking field trips. I design the camp brochure and all other marketing materials. I also hire the staff and oversee all of their programs and activities throughout the summer.
 
Being the director of a summer camp must have its rough days, what are some of the biggest challenges?
Some of the biggest challenges are wearing the many hats necessary for the job. I have to balance being a boss to people my age many of which I am friends with. I need to be a responsible man who parents feel comfortable leaving their children with regardless of  my age, and at the same time, a fun-spirited guy who kids can relate to and trust.
 
What is the most rewarding part of this experience?
The most rewarding part of this experience is watching the campers evolve and grow over the course of the summer. Camp is a safe place where kids can be themselves. Every summer we have at least one painlessly shy camper who cries on their first day because they don’t want to come to camp. By the end of the summer these campers usually end up crying because they don’t want to leave
 
Is this a profession you would like to hold in the future?
I do not see myself working as a camp director too far in the future. I have learned how much I love working with kids and now know that whatever my future career may be, it will involve working with kids.