Interview with ABBEY JAFFE

ABBEY JAFFE
Camp Orkila Resume

1. 2004 - Softball Program Counselor
2. 2005 - Sahales Unit Director
3. 2006 - Mt Baker Unit Director
4. 2007 - TRAD II Assistant Director
5. 2008 - Program Area Assistant Dir.

How did you find out about Orkila way back in 2004?

Well, the YMCA of the USA puts out a massive “vacancy list” every year advertising the many camp jobs around the country. Out of those 100+ pages, Orkila jumped out at me because it was on an island in Washington State!

I thought to myself, “Hmm, camp on an island? Okay!”

What was your first impression upon arrival?

Camp was HUGE and completely foreign to me. I’d never been to the Pacific Northwest before… and it was a cloudy day. By the time I got on the ferry it started pouring. I remember thinking, “Oh golly, what have I gotten myself into?!” The weather was exactly what others back in Tennessee expected – rain!

But then after that day of travel, it was gorgeous. Camp Orkila and Orcas Island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever (still to this day) traveled to.

Why do you come back year after year? What makes Orkila special to you?

At Orkila you can be whoever you want to be, whoever you are.

It’s the place where I figured out who I am and what I want to do with my life. The relationships from Camp have had a positive influence on me, and helped me to realize that this is something I need to continue with for the rest of my life. I go back to Camp, every summer… because it’s SO fun. And the people that come to Camp to work are GOOD people. There are so few places you can go and be surrounded by good solid people. And now I get to work with them every day of the summer!

Now that I’ve made Orkila and Washington my home away from home… I just keep coming back! In fact, my plan is to move to Seattle next Spring and try to find a job in the field of Summer Camping for the YMCA.

What’s your favorite memory from Camp Orkila?

Last summer, I was part of a Ragger Ceremony with the Turtlebacks and my sister (Hannah Jaffe). It happened on the floating dock, and it was such a magical experience. The phosphorescence were out of control that night. As little fish swam near/under the dock they looked like lightning. It was super bright and amazing. It’s an experience that I will remember long after the Ragger Ceremony, and I hope it will stand out in the lives of those campers that participated as well. So cool!

Also, I’ve loved having my sister Hannah at camp. I was able to tie her rag last year, which meant a lot to me. I think she came to Orkila, because I talked about it SO MUCH back home. She probably wanted to see if all the great things I said were true. This summer will be her third year, so I guess they were!

How about your favorite Orkila tradition?

That’s a tough one. (Pause). I really like how the “Sahale Stomp” has continued onward, in some shape or form, over the years. The stomp showed up in many different Unit Intros last year, and to have brought something to camp years ago and to have it survive for so long – that’s so cool! Also, I’ve enjoyed watching the “burly” side of the “girly” Sahales manifest itself over the years.

I also love wake-up songs in the morning. I used to dislike the idea, but now I love watching sleepy (and thus somewhat uncoordinated) campers and staff start their morning off with loud and rambunctious wake-up songs. My two favorites are Alive, Awake, Alert, and Enthusiastic and The Grand Old Duke of York. So entertaining!

What are you most excited about concerning the Summer of 2008?

I’m excited about doing something completely different and new. I’m used to the day-to-day camper activities for specific groups of campers. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and overseeing many of the program areas (pool, arts/crafts, rope elements, etc) will be a new challenge.

I’m also excited to see one of my Unit Directors I supervised last summer (Rachel Kastelic) become a “big dog” at Orkila as she becomes an Assistant Director for the first time.

And lastly, why do you think everyone should go (or go again) to Summer Camp… and specifically YMCA Camp Orkila?

That’s easy – because it is an experience that you will NEVER forget. It could be life-changing (like it was for me), but it will definitely be a stand out moment in your life. And there’s the strong potential for making life-long friends… I know I have!

For me, and hopefully anyone that becomes part of the Orkila family (campers or staff), Orkila will be a part of my life that I will always look back fondly to. Someday down the road, I will look back to Orkila and reminisce about the great memories I formed, and the even greater friends I made.