From the Anash.org Inbox: A fellow bochur mentioned that it was time for him to get a smartphone with WhatsApp to prepare for camp, “letovas hashlichus.” I have seen myself how counselors having smartphones is a disaster for both the counselors and the campers.
By A Staff Member
As a bochur learning in 770, there’s an issue that has always bothered me, and I was recently reminded of it. A fellow bochur mentioned that it was time for him to get a smartphone with WhatsApp to prepare for camp, “letovas hashlichus”. This struck a nerve because it highlights a larger problem: the assumption that bochurim think they need a smartphone for camp.
In yeshivos, before the summer, our mashpi’im warn us that the summer is a powerful yet risky time. It can be a time of tremendous growth, incredible Shlichus, but can also be a time of yerida. Many bochurim who have been strong throughout the year begin to slip—often due to getting a phone or becoming more lax with their existing one.
This issue doesn’t just affect the counselors; it impacts the campers as well. Imagine the profound, powerful, and lasting impact of a counselor who is fun, exciting, and inspiring, but doesn’t have a smartphone. This counselor sends a strong message to the campers: “You don’t need a smartphone to have fun.”
More importantly, smartphone-free bochurim means they’re present. Counselors with smartphones spend a large part of their time distracted and looking at their phones. (Look at any bus ride and see how many staff are busy on their phones. The same for evenings, nights, trips, sports, and so on.) They’re spending less time with their campers, and when they do, they’re not fully present – thinking about what’s waiting for them on their phone. Without smartphones, counselors have more time to engage with the campers, to notice when they need something, and to listen to them.
A common argument is that camp logistics (and preparations) require WhatsApp. But if there’s sufficient interest, an alternative solution could be found. At the very least, it should be minimized to key staff for camp-related matters only.
In general, a popular time for bochurim to get smartphones is before the summer. Many begin feeling the need for a phone as camp approaches, and once they have it, usually they continue using it throughout the year. If we are concerned about how bochurim handle smartphones, then we should consider addressing this time period proactively. By creating an environment that minimizes and prevents bochurim from feeling pressured to get a phone, we can help push off – or even prevent – many bochurim from getting smartphones altogether. A well-run, distraction-free camp experience can reinforce this and have a lasting impact for both counselors and campers.
We invest so much money and resources in our camps for our sons. Let’s ensure that this investment pays off by investing in a seemingly small point, but can ultimately be a game changer for your son’s summer experience and future, by making camp an environment of presence, inspiration, and meaningful hashpaa.
By taking action, we can make a real difference in the chinuch and ruchniusdike growth of our youth, and give the Rebbe much nachas!
Wow, well brought out and so true!!
Thanks for bringing up such an important point, and I hope this message will be takes with all seriousness.
Great job!
Awesome article, great point!
Would be really awesome if headstaff would encourage their staff to not get / get rid of their phones, for the summer.
But they absolutely have the responsibility and right to demand that all phones must be properly filtered.
I was a recent staff member in Gan Yisroel and could say this is very true.
Camp just isn’t the same as when we were campers and is only getting worse
If camp would have radios and flip phones for all the staff the camp will be better than any camp in the past 10 years!
Please directors read this and find a way to implement it.
At least it should only be in private rooms not in front of campers.
Concerned for the future of our children
I was called by a learning director for information on a bochur. After answering his questions, I turned to him and asked what standards they regarding staff phones. His answer: none!
Staff could have completely unfiltered phones, and use it freely for anything.
https://anash.org/instead-of-scare-elaborate-spoof-used-to-break-out-bog-war/
this past summer i was a staff member in a certain mainstream camp, now unfortunately majority of the staff DID have smartphones, but… for the most part we were all present throughout the day. and night for that matter, now as a staff member the fact that were barely getting paid for 2 full months of hard work day and night as a 20 year old taking care of 15 campers is kinda rough, imagine for yourselves, lets say you and your spouse are around 38 years of age with 5 kids thank god, and tell me how much free time do you have, and when your kids are finally sleeping imagine you dont even have a phone to use. and yes we know you aren t getting paid to parent but lets be honest you evidently arent doing such a good job, i mean seriousy its your kid missing the trips and activities, so yes your child is a handful and if i need a smartphone at the end of a long hot summers day so be it. even if were not as chassidish as youd want
Using that logic you can excuse lots of things. People need to unwind and watch a movie, smoke, drink etc.
The Rebbe made camp to “create chassidim” and demands chassidishe bochurim. If you aren’t that, it’s okay, but you won’t be able to create chassidim. You can work for a shliach and do good work.
true relaxing comes from within, getting fresh air on the campus, schmoozing with a friend, and thinking about your neshamah and the kavanah – not from going through social media and fogging up your already worn out and disconnected kochos hanefesh. these are basics of tanya perek 3 and 4.
There are seemingly two sides to this argument. On one hand, it is the camp’s Achrayus to monitor what goes on within its premises. On the other hand, for most of the years that camps existed, there was simply no need to monitor phones—because they didn’t exist.
However, with the advancement of modern technology and its growing acceptance, we see an increasing reliance on ever-more advanced tools to achieve only slightly better results than before. At the same time, younger and younger children are getting smartphones, leading to their infiltration into camps, Yeshivos, and practically any large-scale Mosad in Lubavitch.
For decades, Lubavitch activities thrived without smartphones. While modern technology can certainly be helpful, it is not necessary for every single “foot soldier” to have one. Moreover, what kind of values are we imparting if our way of unwinding after a long and busy day is by staring at a screen? Not only is this unhealthy, but it also leads to wasted time and a mind filled with Shtusim.
How can one be Mechanech and take care of the campers if, in the only free moments available, the first instinct is to turn to a phone and fill one’s head with distractions?
When people blame mivtzoim or shlichus for their own taivos it is worse, since the lines become blurred and the Rebbe is blamed.
As the Rebbe once told a bochur who said he needed to get a license so he could go on mivtzoim, “Mish nisht deine taivos in meine mivtzoim!” (Don’t mix your taivos into my mivtzoim!).
There are many ways to relax. Chat with fellow staff members, exercise – and bh there’s no shortage in camp what to find entertainment and to chat about.
Imagine the time used by nights of counselors going on there phones would be used to learn – keeping them inspired and hyped, or sleep – to have a good and present next day, read stories – to are with the campers, or even chat with the campers, and hang out in their rooms, instead of them talking about other things…
I would suggest a solution: Group Me texting chat can be helpful, and let’s go back to the ‘old fashion’ radios, those were good days.
Thank you camps and head staff to take this into consideration!!
You can see clearly that bochurim who have smartphones are not as involved as bochurim who do have.
Kids coming to camp are looking up at the “chassidishe” staff a lot more than the “not chassidish” ones.
Unfortunately many kids already have an abundance of exposure to all of this at home, and camp is a time where they are (meant to be…) 24 hours in an environment of kedushah and chassidishkeit, in the Rebbe’s daled amos.
If it was up to me, all my staff would have only flip phones. It’s a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, this is a fact in some camps. However, there are other camps where it is not such an issue or no issue at all. As a former counselor, I believe it has to do with the motive of the bochur to be in camp. Either bc it’s “a vibe” with friends or for the shlichus aspect. If the motive is the latter, the bochur automatically has no issue with smartphone syndrome.
There is a factor that staff need to be in contact with each other, and unfortunately it’s Whatsapp that’s easiest to do it with, however a simple solution is that camps should invest in radios/walkie-talkies to which staff In their day to day in camp shouldn’t have to carry their phone, thus taking away it’s distractions
As a camper, having counselors with phones that are on it aa lot can be very frustrating and even more so when those counselors have tick tock, instagram etc… on their phones and are always on it. it doesnt really set such a good role model.