Victoria Week 7: My Time With Tikvah

At my sleep-away camp, they offer a program known as Tikvah for campers with down syndrome. The Tikvah program lasts six weeks out of the eight week summer and the campers that go ultimately leave with the best memories that last them a lifetime. I have known these campers for a while now, as most of the Tikvah campers have been a part of Tikvah for as many years as I can remember. Every year at my camp, the upcoming 10th graders have an amazing opportunity to spend time with the Tikvah campers and share activities with them such as doing plays for the camp, hosting Shabbats, swimming in the lake, and much more. This year, it was my age division’s chance to spend time with them an hour a day for 5 days every week. 

2 of us were paired with one Tikvah camper to play with. My friend Amanda and I were paired with a Tikvah camper named Betsy and my summer sure would have been so different without her. Spending so much time with her over the summer taught me a number of life lessons and a lot about who she is. Getting to know Betsy was such a pleasure and I loved every moment I spent with her whether it was tutoring her, playing card games, or even just simply talking to her and hearing her fantasy stories she always loved to share with me and Amanda. Betsy constantly fantasized about being on broadway, having a role in High School Musical, and being a singer. She always would tell us that she was hosting a concert with her being the singer. 

Betsy is so positive and fun that I couldn't help but smile and laugh around her. Even though it is the school year and we are not at camp currently, Betsy will always try to FaceTime me and Amanda, Snapchat me, and randomly text me whenever she wants to talk. Betsy impacted my life in such a positive way and I am so happy I was paired with her this summer.