For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sarah “Sports” Stochel and this is my third year on staff at Camp Kalsman and sixth year overall. Now I’m sure it’s no surprise to people that I love sports. Like, I LOVE sports. It’s my “thing”; it’s what I turn to, what I’m passionate about, and when I feel most connected to G-d. I grew up with two older brothers who taught me almost everything I know and because of them, sports have always been a big part of my life, from premier soccer, to national collegiate handball.

Sports mean something different for everyone. Some people may think of kids swinging a bat, smiling, and running around bases. I like to think of kids working together for a common goal, encouraging one another, and practicing respect in a fun, engaging, and inclusive way. Like camp, in sports you gain from the experience however much you decide to put in. It teaches people how to persevere and be mentally, physically, and emotionally strong while at the same time, holding people accountable and demanding respect.

People grow as human beings because of sports and become self-aware. Being part of a team means thinking about others more than thinking about yourself, knowing your limits and strengths, and then finding what you can do (given those limits and strengths) to contribute to the community. That’s why here at Camp Kalsman, we make sure to include sports on a daily basis, with an array of different experiences.

Sarah “Sports” Stochel, Sports Supervisor.