It’s funny how just one word can bring back so many memories. How one word, can bring you back to a time that you will never forget. How just one word can overwhelm you with incredible thoughts and the best flashbacks, and how that one word, only four letters, can fill you with so many emotions – from happy, to sad, to laughing, to crying – all at the same time.

It’s funny how one place can mean so much to you. How just four weeks can change your life forever. How a zip code’s five digits mean more to you than any other number. How just one little place in this huge world presents you with so many feelings.

The feeling of not being able to sleep those three nights before. The feeling of hugging all of your friends after not seeing them for an entire year. That feeling you get when you see everyone’s smiling faces. The feeling of the bus turning onto the most important road in the world. The feeling of settling in when you make your bunk bed and unpack your bags. The feeling of that new friendship bracelet being tied on your wrist. The feeling of a satisfied tummy after eating that grilled cheese and tomato soup. The feeling of excitement when your team wins the Maccabiah, and the feeling of disappointment when your team loses. The feeling of happiness when you jump into the Fin, or that feeling of exhaustion after KTO. The feeling of the itchy mosquito bites covering your legs. The feeling of the warm camp fire on your face. The feelings of chills you get during those cool Wisconsin nights, and the feeling of your best friend’s hand in yours. The feeling of calmness when you do services. The feeling of extreme satisfaction when you say “Shabbat Shalom”. The feeling of sweat dripping down your face during those Friday night song sessions, and the feeling of sleeping in on Saturday morning. The feeling of love when you get mail – or even better – a package. The feeling of sneaky when your friends find a way to get you candy, or the feeling of badass when you skip a chug. The feeling of laughter when someone does a funny shtick. The feeling of connection during music appreciation every night before bed. That feeling of not being able to eat breakfast the morning you have to leave. The feeling of joy when everyone comes together on the floval. The feeling of dirtiness when you get back from your camping trip, and that feeling of sadness at the final banquet when you realize that it’s the last dinner. The feeling of accomplishment when you sneak out at night and don’t get caught. The feeling of beauty when you take pictures with everyone before the Shabbat walk. The feeling of family when you’re sitting in your brothers and sisters’ arms during havdallah. That feeling of belonging, of so much love, and of pure happiness. That feeling of memories being created. That feeling of closeness when you’re all huddled together in storm shelter. The feeling you long for the entire year. The feeling of tears streaming down your face when you know it’s time to say goodbye, and the feeling of relief when you know you always have a home.

It’s funny how all of those feelings can only make you think of one thing: one short, four letter word. Camp.

The feeling that is camp.