UPDATE by Dan: This is our #1 most popular post! Thank you!
For many years, the Camp Mother at Camp Laurelwood was a celebrated figure who–as proxy-mom–eased sad and homesick kids into the fun and happiness of camp life.
Homesick kids suffering feelings of longing and isolation found comfort in the soft voice and loving embrace of the Camp Laurelwood Camp Mother. Photo h/t Steve Lifshatz.
After the hoopla of opening day, all campers pivoted to a daily regime that included free swim, arts and crafts, and other activities. But some first-time campers–especially the youngest ones–quickly discovered that they missed their bedrooms, toys, friends down the street, and other comforts of home including the most comfortable of comforts: Mom.
And that is why the role of Camp Mother was so important.
Campers confined to the infirmary often were visited by the Camp Mother–their chills and shakes and sour tummies eased by her soft voice and loving embraces. During the 1970s, Camp Laurelwood’s camp mother was Rita LeVine; in the 1960s, it was Belle Schiffman.
What do you remember about Camp Laurelwood’s camp mother? Provide your reminiscences in the comments section, below.
To Rita and Belle and every mom reading this post, we wish you a Happy Mothers Day!
I was a camper at Laurelwood during the summers of 1967 to 1971. Our camp mother was Belle Schiffman. She was a warm and strong presence in our lives, and I loved her. When she sang “Ba Meir BistuShayne”, it was magical. I will always remember my wonderful summers at camp!
Thanks, Jan. Indeed, Belle was a beloved camp presence.
Dan,
when are the book stories due? I would like to write a memory.
My mother, now 81, went to camp for one summer, on a scholarship, and never forgot it. I will include this poignant point in my story.
Rita and Duck managing the camp laundry system and Jan managing to introduce me to my wife.
@Ray — Very nice
If there was any Home away from Home Mother, it had to be Rita LeVine. After nearly 34 years after being at Camp Laurel Wood, I look back at Rita as someone who really meant a whole lot to me. She was one of many people who affected my life as a child to help me later on in life to become an adult. In looking back, she was certainly was #1 for not only me, but I would say for all of the Campers based on what I went through. If the other campers were given what I was given, She effected alot of other peoples lives.
Good Going Camp Mom, Rita LeVine.
Well said, Jon!
Thanks for asking about the deadline, Jan. We would like to have all story submissions, photographs, drawings, letters home and letters from home, old camp programs, etc. submitted by Labor Day 2011. Hopefully, that will provide everyone the time they need.
It’s a little bit different when you have your own mother working at the camp (1968-1971). My mom, Irma was a middle school teacher as well. I was in the same school with her as well (1972). Yep, I had to stay in line.
@Matt Irma too was a beloved CLW presence. We hope she had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Although I knew Rita from Gan Hayeled, it was not unitl my first day at Camp Laurelwood that she came to the rescue. I was ten years old. I could not understand why my parents wanted to ship me off. I had heard stories about parents like this. As the first born in my family, I came to terms with why, if my parents loved me so much, they would have to go have another baby! But when my mother first showed me the brochure for CLW, I asked her what I did wrong? When my parents dropped me off for my first four weeks away from home and said their goodbyes, I was in tears. The next thing I new, Rita whisked me away and walked me to my bunk. I cannot tell you what she said to me. All I can say is that by the time I did get to the bunk, I was laughing and excited. I never looked back. Rita transformed me from feeling like an abandoned child to a veteran camper in minutes! From that year on, I numbered the days on my calendar from the first day of school counting down to the first day of camp. Thank you Rita!! I will never forget how relieved I felt when you held my hand that first day.
Great story, Linda.