Guest Blogger – Avi Djanogly
Avi Djanogly is a long time staff member and camp alumnus. In 2009 Avi co-founded and created the award–winning interactive Gabi H2O Measurable Water Conservation Education program. He is an informal educator through and through after spending over 20 summers at Blue Star. Avi also founded “Conservation Generation”, an organization that seeks to empower children to change the world by changing both their own practices regarding sustainability as well as being role models for their parent’s generation. The concept is simple; children can influence their parents’ behavior regarding water usage and other practices that help to create a more sustainable world. He is married to Sylvie; they have three kids and an exceptionally smart Collie Cross dog.

From Lauren and Seth:

As “Conservation Generation’s” pilot camp, Blue Star campers will gain awareness of best practices regarding water conservation and other sustainable practices. Our goal is to raise awareness, share knowledge and change behavior this summer at camp! Jenna Mehler, a representative from Conservation Generation, spoke with Blue Star campers at Shabbat services about ways to conserve water and other natural resources. Our campers’ progress in these water saving endeavors will be documented throughout the summer using the Gabi H20 measurability standards. Campers will also participate in art projects that highlight water conservation, which will be showcased at the American Camp Association National Convention in February. Keep a look out for awesome rain barrels, rain chains, and “public service announcement” videos, all created by our Blue Star campers! Tomorrow, all campers and staff  (whether running or just “cheering on”) will participate in our camp-wide “Conservation Generation Color Run”, which will raise funds for non-profits that focus on water conservation and water quality across the globe.

L’ Dor V’Dor From Generation to Generation to Conservation Generation

Guest Blog by Avi Djanogly

“The world we build tomorrow is born in the experiences we give our children today.”

Last Friday night I had the pleasure of sitting in the Blue Star Chapel once again. It was the first service of summer. The gathering of the entire staff. For 6 days they had lived together, trained together, bonded with each other all in anticipation of the arrival of the campers. Now here we all were at the Elmore Solomon Chapel…as the strains of Hine Ma Tov Uma Nayim slowly washed over me, I couldn’t help but go on a journey down memory lane.

At the beginning of the summer it appears endless, that the summer will last forever. But that’s an illusion. The summer flies by. Over all too soon. Yet the experiences we and our children have are far more impactful at camp because Blue Star is so unique.

The outside world stops at camp’s gates. Each and every summer at camp our children get the chance to re-create their universe. Camp is kid-centric in a way that the outside world can never be. The opportunities for our children to discover their talents, to nurture their skills, to develop friendships and to see the world from a different perspective are endless. Camp is life changing. Camp is a gift. Camp is also an opportunity to learn to heal the world.

At our camp, the Jewish concept of Tikun Olam “Healing The World” runs through the Blue Star experience. Herman and his brothers embodied this principle. This has taken many forms throughout the years but knowing the value and wisdom of nature, we have always stressed the importance of conservation and sustainability. (The Chapel itself is a living example of re-using and recycling. From the stain glass windows discarded by an Atlanta synagogue, to the Torah we use which came from a congregation which was closing in Clarksdale Mississippi). Inherent in this is that we must pay attention to the resources we use and how we use them.

As the generation of climate change, melting glaciers, rising seas, drought and flood, we need to both acknowledge and commit ourselves to saving the planet. Camp is a springboard to building the world of tomorrow. A world where natural resources are valued, where Tikun Olam is at the forefront of our thinking and actions and where Jewish identity is taken on by our children.

That’s why Conservation Generation is launching our award-winning program in the USA starting at Blue Star this summer and why we are looking forward to sharing our program with ACA camps across the country in Summer 2015! Camp (especially Blue Star) is a place where our children learn that their actions can make a difference and the true importance of “L’ Dor V’dor, From Generation to Generation”.