My kids finish school tomorrow (June 7, 2012). Many others are out of school already or have only a few days left. I read that the staff of the 6 Points Sports Academy, the Union for Reform Judaism's newest camp, will be arriving in Greensboro any day now. 6 Points is starting its third year and, in a short period of time, has become THE place for Jewish athletes to spend their summers. I am looking forward to being one of the Camp Rabbis on faculty this summer, having done so since 6 Points opened.
6 Points' program has many strong elements. Sports are not "activities" but rather are one of two central parts of the camp. When I was growing up, we would play softball for an hour, then volleyball, then swim, then arts and crafts or nature. There were activities that we loved and activities that we attended only because we had to. Campers who attend 6 Points are there because they want to be. A 12 year old playing Little League baseball, a high school girls lacrosse player, a competitive swimmer all know that they will spend the better part of their day for the duration of camp focusing on their selected sport. Clinics in the morning and evening range from drills to skills; it is not uncommon to see scrimmages, games, and competitions just like you might find at Spring Training or at elite preseason camps.
The second, but by no means second-class, major component of 6 Points is Judaism. As one friend put it: "those who come to 6 Points have 2 religions - sports and Judaism." Jewish values are central to each day - and a range of values are presented and highlighted throughout each session. For example, the value of Kavod (Honor) might be highlighted during morning assembly and breakfast. Coaches on the fields then reinforce this value, referring to it time and again (in English and in Hebrew) during clinics, games, etc. An interactive evening program helps to reinforce this value. There may be videos shown, stories told, quick activities, all designed to make Jewish learning and living a seamless part of each day.
On my own blog, I have often posted about Jewish values and how they play out in the world of sports. Here are a few additional links:
Kavod - Greensboro's Golf Tournament Names Its First African American Co-Chairs, Henry and Shirley Frye (local civil rights and civic leaders)
http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/06/04/article/hardin_historic_day_for_triads_golf_tournament
or this story about helping an opponent finish a race - which positive Jewish values does this incident exemplify?
http://espn.go.com/high-school/track-and-xc/story/_/id/8010251/high-school-runner-carries-fallen-opponent-finish-line
or this Sports Illustrated story about the good that Phil Mickelson is doing off of the golf course - what can athlethes and so many others learn from this example? again, which positive Jewish values does this story illustrate?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1197997/index.htm
As stories and other examples come my way, I will post them throughout the summer. Ideas and thoughts are always welcome.
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