One of the most cherished traditions at Camp Coleman is also one of its simplest: friendship between the oldest and youngest campers.
Each summer, Chalutzim (our rising 11th graders) are paired with Bonim (our rising 3rd and 4th graders) to form what we call “Bonim/Chalutzim Buddies.” It’s more than a big-kid-little-kid setup. It’s mentorship, role modeling, and a thread of connection that weaves across age groups—and sometimes across years.
The pairings are assigned at the start of the session, but the friendships that blossom are anything but forced. From special programs sprinkled throughout the summer to spontaneous meetups during Mandatory Optionals (free time on Saturday), these buddy pairs build a relationship that’s deeply felt. You’ll often see a Bonim camper spotting their buddy in the Chadar Ochel and lighting up. Or a Chalutzim camper volunteering to hang with their Bonim friend during free time, just because.
The goals of this program are big-picture and deeply personal. For Bonim campers, it’s about having a friend in the “big kid” unit—someone to look up to, ask questions of, and feel supported by. For Chalutzim, it’s a chance to step into leadership with heart, to reflect on how far they’ve come, and to practice care and patience in a real relationship. For both, it’s a quiet way we bring some of our values to life: Kehilah (community), Chesed (kindness), Shalom (wholeness), and Kavod (respect).
For families new to camp, this may be a tradition you’ve never heard of. But for many of our returning campers, Bonim/Chalutzim Buddies is one of the most anticipated parts of the summer. And yes, some of these friendships stretch far beyond the session, with letters, texts, and social media keeping the bond alive long after the last Birkat Hamazon.
At its heart, it’s simple: one camper reaches a hand out to another. And both grow stronger from it.
