skip to main content
654534288a48dd193a105d38_Brandon Sorkin Article

As the texts came in and questions came up regarding if I would be attending CLTC this past summer. I was hesitant at first, knowing that I would have my last year at my summer camp right before, and I didn't want to waste a summer. But then I got curious: what if this is the right thing for me? What if I end up wanting to go? I decided to reach out to the coordinator of the CLTC I would attend, Josh Rutman, and I asked him what it would be like. His answers opened my eyes. I decided to sign up for CLTC 4 2023—the best decision of my life.

CLTC isn't much different from most Jewish summer camps. Rather than an activities rotation, you have 2 hours of BBYO education. 1 hour after breakfast, and then one hour after lunch. During these times, you learn vital things about being a chapter office member and valuable leadership skills that you can't learn anywhere else. The Jewish education you get is amazing, and the spiritual engagement is unique from anywhere else.

The friendships you make are priceless. You get so close to people so fast. I would consider some of the people I met on CLTC some of my best friends, and I still talk to most on the phone every night and text them throughout the day. You gain a family that you yearn to reunite with.

While this is a BBYO camp, it sets you up with leadership and social skills that will take you to high places in the future. The hands-on leadership training is like no other; the friendships you make are incredible. If you have any further questions regarding my time at CLTC, feel free to reach out.

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

Explore More Stories

Group of people celebrating on stage
Identity
Parshat Matot-Ma'asei: Finding Meaning Along the Way

Whether you’re heading off to camp, traveling abroad, or trying something new this summer, every experience has the power to shape your story. Matot-Ma'asei reminds us that growth comes from the journeys and the people who share it with us.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
BBYO Weekly Parsha AZA & BBG
Group of people celebrating on stage
Connection
Tangled Together

How attending a separates at CLTC was one of my most meaningful experiences.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Jordi Flome Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
Group of people celebrating on stage
Connection
The Strings We Take Home

A simple string activity became a powerful reminder that the connections we make during summer programs can leave a lasting impact.

Profile picture of Firstname Lastname
Zoey Bart Commack, New York, United States