It’s Mine-All Mine!
What’re Those?
If you look on my bookshelf, scattered among Seforim, English books, and other knickknacks, you’ll see a few items that seem out of place: there’s a cup, a spoon, and a Shtender, waiting to be pressed into service when needed. On Shabbos, the set is completed by a Challa knife. What makes these items unique? For one, they’re all made out of wood. Also, they each have a specific ‘feel’-you could call it rough around the edges, both literally and figuratively. But the main thing that earns them a place on my bookshelf is that fact that they’re mine-I made them. Myself, with my own two hands and my Yagilu pocketknife.
Yehuda Levy working on his cup…
I’m no master craftsman (hence the rough edges), but these pieces have a special place in my heart, and therefore in my house. Every time I look at them, and especially when I get a chance to use them, I’m reminded of what went into making them. Hours of careful work, attention to detail, creativity in designing how I wanted each one to look, and resourcefulness in using the skills and materials I had to come out with something I’d be proud of-these are just some of the things that come to mind.
Personal Projects
Every camper in Yagilu has this opportunity. In camp, we call them Personal Projects, and the creations that are worked on are as varied and inventive as the campers themselves. Over the years, campers have made:
- harps,
- guitars,
- bows and arrows,
- hooks for keys and clothing,
- charcoal pencils,
- full sets of tableware,
- drumsticks,
- Yadayim for Kriat HaTorah (often featured in Yagilu on Monday, Thursday, and Shabbos),
- elaborately carved hiking sticks, and so much more.
There are other mediums, in addition to wood – clay (candlesticks for Shabbat), leather (the list is endless-Tallis and Tefillin bags, wallets, Kippot, phone and iPod cases, self-designed knife sheaths, Mezuza cases…), and we’ve recently added a forge and a resident blacksmith for campers interested in metalwork. It’s amazing to see a camper get invested in a project, dedicating free time to it over the course of the summer. Even campers who might be less motivated during the daily activities go the extra mile for their personal projects, running back to the campsite after meals to steal an extra few minutes or waking up early to get in some work before Shacharit.
The finished product, used at the Y1 Forest Feast!
Parents say that these projects are the first thing their sons show them upon returning from camp. “Look what I made, all by myself!” The feelings of accomplishment, of mastery, of dedication represented by these creations are clear on the faces of the proud campers.
Keeping It Going
How can this be translated into awesome projects the rest of the year? Here are some ideas:
The easiest transition would be to continue the same types of projects. While things like coal-burning and metalworking are often not practical outside of Yagilu, whittling and leatherwork are very doable. For whittling, the campers already have their pocketknives, and wood is available ‘fresh off the tree’ in almost every neighborhood. For more advanced projects, hobby shops have specific types of wood, such as balsa (try making an egg!), as well as sandpaper for finishing touches. A child will feel empowered when his parents trust him to use his powerful tool, as long as he follows the Knife Rules he learned in camp.
Leatherwork is a bit more of an investment. Leather and the basic materials are available in most hobby shops, or can be ordered online. Once you have the tools, though, the possibilities are almost endless. An extra benefit of leatherwork is that many of the projects are usable-imagine wearing a handmade belt to school every day, or pulling your Tefillin out of a beautifully designed, stitched, and decorated Tefillin bag!
Another idea is to sit with your child after camp and together discuss a project for him to work on over the next year. It could be anything-learn a new skill (music) or language (computer languages count too!), participate in a club (robotics) or group (intramural sports), or create something in a totally new medium (painting or sketchwork). Set a goal for the first month, and periodically check in to see how he’s liking it. The idea is to foster the same motivation and satisfaction that comes from seeing and feeling accomplishment in new, non-wilderness settings.
In Yagilu, campers got a taste of Yegi’a Kapecha Ki Tocheil-Ashrecha V’Tov Lach (Tehillim 128:2). They learned the special taste of accomplishing a goal that they worked hard for. With help and encouragement from parents, they can continue to enjoy this special feeling the whole year round!
What ‘Personal Projects’ are you proud of? Have you successfully translated a project into a year-round hobby? Share in the comments below!
