No childhood memory strikes a chord for the Jewish 20-something quite like summer camp does. Who can forget the two-month sleepover with your best friends, the matching Crocs and the adolescent anticipation of having your first kiss behind the canteen after holding hands all throughout a production of “Seussical the Musical”? Fast forward and it’s been a tough couple of years for Gen Z. Between a pandemic, a recession, digital-age dating and rising antisemitism we find ourselves aching for simpler times. Times like summer camp, where our biggest concern was whether our Soffe shorts covered up our mosquito bites.
Summer camp nostalgia has hit Gen Z in a big way. Take it from me, a self-proclaimed summer camp aficionado. I’ve made not only a personality, but an entire career based off of summer camp through sketches on TikTok and Instagram, and a podcast called “We Met at Summer Camp” in which my co-host Emmy Glick and I reminisce on the hilarity of making hook-up lists in the bunk and trading Silly Bandz and sobbing hysterically over not getting chosen to be color war captain. At camp, we were unplugged and in the moment. When times are tough, revisiting summer camp has created something that feels safe and familiar for Gen Z. In a world of unknowns, reconnecting with our Jewish camp identity has provided us with a sense of home and familiarity.
We had it right at camp! We were all cuddling all the time, we subsisted on a diet of popsicles and hot dogs and we lived in a cozy wardrobe of towel shorts and stretchy tanks. Gen Z loves to put our lives into “eras,” (thanks, Taylor Swift) and we love to romanticize each of these eras with a certain style or aesthetic. This summer, let’s re-enter our summer camp era. Because, come on. We were at our best at camp!
Straight from the self-proclaimed People’s Jewish American Princess and Queen of Summer Camp, here is the ultimate guide to Gen Z Jewish summer camp nostalgia.
THE OUTFIT: Dress Like You’re Heading to Play A Niche, Low Impact Sport (Like Gaga)
The non-uniform camp “uniform” consisted of cloth short-shorts, stretchy tank tops and colorful zip up hoodies. Throw on a pair of Crocs and you’re absolutely golden. Not only is this outfit incredibly nostalgic, but it’s also comfortable, and not to mention, extremely flattering.
This summer, embrace your Jewish summer camp nostalgia by finding a pair of cloth or athletic shorts, a fitted stretchy tank and a comfortable pair of sneakers (maybe don’t wear Crocs to Trader Joe’s? Or do. I can’t decide how I feel). If you find yourself missing your Sugarlip and SoNikki tank tops of yore, Garage makes a sculpting tank with a similar feel. Finish off the look with a pair of Free People movement shorts that evoke the same feeling as the ever-iconic Nike Pros that dominated our summer camp wardrobes.
Who needs a fancy summer wardrobe when you can be confident and free as you once were in your morning flagpole outfit? This is an easy outfit to rock all summer long for hot (Jewish) girl walks, day-to-day errands, and park picnics with your friends. Think of your go-to Gen Z-coded summer camp outfit and “adultify” it!
THE FLIRTING: Flirt Like You’re 14 Again
Whatever happened to low stakes flirting? Dating apps have taken all of the fun out of an innocent flirt, the lost art of the tepid makeout. We all worry so much about embodying that chill, mysterious girl at the bar, about how many matches we have on the Godforsaken app known as Hinge and over who should text first after a first date. At camp, we snuck onto boys’ camp, schemed with our friends and genuinely got giddy about flirting. Craving that summer fling? Same. This summer, flirt with that NJB, NJG or NJENBY with some youthful innocence and joy. The stakes are low. The worst they could say is that they already promised Jessica Shapiro from Scarsdale that they’re exclusive all summer.
Plus, It’s no secret that the Dance Floor Make Out (DFMO) is not only extremely summer camp canteen-coded, but extremely back. The Dance Floor Make Out is gloriously romantic in its own special way while also being a low risk opportunity to kiss your crush. Just like camp, your friends will be right there on the dance floor with you, cheering you on. If you get rejected while attempting a DFMO, it’s also NBD. You can just dance away into the abyss!
Also, I kind of miss spin the bottle. Can we bring that back, too?
THE JUDAISM: Attend A Summer Shabbat
Adult community Shabbats can be entirely cultural and totally non-denominational. No matter how observant you are, attending a fun Shabbat dinner with people your age in your city can create that sense of Jewish community that made us feel so at home at camp. At camp, we were all so connected. Attending a Shabbat will help us embrace tradition that felt so sacred and safe in our camp bubble. Belt out “Lecha Dodi” or “Acheinu” to really get the party going – nothing says camp like a poorly harmonized Hebrew medley. Who knows! Maybe you’ll meet a low stakes crush and they’ll ask you on a Shabbos walk.
THE ACTIVITIES: Do Camp-Like Activities (Duh)
Just because you’re no longer at summer camp, doesn’t mean you can’t do your favorite summer camp activities. Go to the crafts store, get some string and make friendship bracelets with your friends. Go canoeing on your local body of water. If you have access, re-learn how to waterski! Tennis and pickleball aren’t hard to come by nowadays either, and nothing says camp like playing a sport that you don’t really want to play. Consider this my official petition for Gaga to be the newest West Village fitness micro-trend. Social sports boost your endorphins, guaranteeing that bliss you once felt at summer camp.
While I cannot magically transport you back to the days of tie-dye towel shorts and melted popsicles, I hope that as a Gen Z summer camp connoisseur, this guide aided in your quest for nostalgia. Hit up your camp crush, grab your stretchy tank tops and hit the tennis courts!
