An almost seventy-year-old letter from the Rebbe brings into sharp clarity a question that remains highly relevant today: the involvement of bochurim in summer camps.

The letter, dated 8 Adar 5718, was written to Tzach of Montreal in response to their inquiry whether it was appropriate to recruit yeshiva bochurim to assist in the day camp they had established.

“It is understood that yeshiva bochurim may engage in the above only in a manner that will not cause a mental distraction – pizur hanefesh – during the year, or for most of the year,” the Rebbe writes.

Because of this concern, the Rebbe explains that if decisions about staff involvement would already be made months in advance, then, in accordance with human nature, the distraction would begin immediately. “Especially since, as appears from your letter, they would begin occupying themselves with preparations several months before the opening of the day camp.”

The Rebbe therefore suggests that the matter should be discussed and decided “about a week or two before the opening of the camp,” which would still “leave sufficient time for the bochur to fulfill what is required of him.”

As for the general preparations that require longer-term planning, the Rebbe states clearly that “these are not for the yeshiva students, whose primary occupation is Torah study.”

It is quite clear from throughout the years that the Rebbe strongly supported and encouraged bochurim who assisted in the holy shlichus of Gan Yisroel day camps and overnight camps. Their impact on tens of thousands of children is also undeniable.

At the same time, in recent years, the involvement of bochurim – from head staff to counselors, learning teachers, and other roles – has begun earlier and earlier each year, as camps compete to recruit the “best” group of bochurim as soon as possible.

Experience has also clearly shown that when recruitment, preparation, and discussion begin months in advance, it can create a significant pizur hanefesh, making it more difficult for bochurim to remain fully focused on their primary role during the year – limud haTorah – as their attention increasingly turns toward camp responsibilities.

Perhaps it is worthwhile to revisit the Rebbe’s guidance and reexamine both the role of bochurim in camps and the proper timing of their involvement, ensuring that the tremendous zechus of camp shlichus strengthens rather than competes with their central role of learning Torah throughout the yeshiva year.