From Maple Lake to the Mountains: My Path in Jewish Camps and Leadership
From my first summer at Camp George with my Lehavot cabin mates. I’m in the yellow hat, and my twin sister is behind me in the pink t-shirt.
My name is Beth Caplan, though most people know me as B.Cap. My journey in Jewish overnight camping began at nine years old, stepping off the bus at URJ Camp George with my twin sister, Lauren (L-Mat), as a Lehavot camper. I remember that first summer, nervous and homesick, unsure of what awaited me. Dani Copeland, my first-ever Counselor-in-Training (CIT), truly saw me. Through her care, encouragement, and warmth, I felt safe, valued, and loved in a way I had never experienced before. That summer could have been overwhelming, yet her presence transformed it into a place where I belonged. Even today, Dani remains a mentor and older sister in my life, shaping how I show up for others and inspiring me to lead with the same unwavering care.
For the next 11 summers, I eagerly counted the days until I could return. I came back first as a camper, then as a CIT, and eventually as a staff member. Each role stretched me, taught me to lead with compassion and creativity, and showed me that responsibility is not something to fear but an opportunity to grow and inspire others. URJ Camp George taught me that community is built moment by moment, choice by choice, and that even small gestures can leave a lasting impact.
I have spent the past 15 years at Camp Mountain Chai (CMC), a journey that began because someone saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. Rachel Saslove, my CIT Director at URJ Camp George, had become the Assistant Director at CMC and invited me into a world that would challenge and shape me as a leader in ways I could not yet imagine. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would become the foundation for much of the leader I am today. I joined as a senior counselor in 2011 and held positions such as Social Media Coordinator, Head of Arts, Program Director, and, for the past three years, the Assistant Director.
CMC is where I truly grew into myself as a leader building on the foundation of what URJ Camp George gave me. It’s the place that encouraged me to discover what I was capable of, often in moments I hadn’t expected. I learned to step out of my comfort zone, always with the support of those around me. Embracing the Jewish value of anavah (humility) as real strength, I discovered that the best leaders listen, lift others up, and aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t have all the answers. The challenges I’ve faced became opportunities to grow, think creatively, and help guide our organization toward its North Star.
This past summer brought a full-circle moment for me. As a first-time camper at URJ Camp George, I remember being captivated by the acoustic guitar during our daily services. I left that summer determined to learn guitar, playing every song in the Shireinu Chordster (songbook) to bring a piece of camp home with me. Fifteen years later, I lived out that childhood dream for the first time, playing guitar during this past summer’s Friday Shabbat service at CMC led by our leadership team: connecting the joy, music, and spirit of my earliest camp experiences with my role as a leader today.
Along the way, I’ve sought opportunities to deepen my understanding of leadership and community. I’ve participated in transformative programs offered by the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), including the Cornerstone Fellowship, Shalom Bayit, Character at Camp Grant, and DEI training cohort for Southern California camping professionals. Cornerstone opened my eyes to Jewish education and how we can create innovative, accessible, immersive experiences. It inspired me to bring Choose Your Own Tefillah to CMC with my fellows. Participating in Shalom Bayit allowed me to reflect on how we can continue to provide care and hospitality to guests while upholding our camp’s values and culture of care so that we can create a community of belonging. Character at Camp Grant reinforced that overnight summer camp teaches valuable skills—how to be kind, and grow as a person and community member. The DEI training cohort deepened my understanding of the importance of representation in the workplace, in staff training, and at camp, helping to create a truly inclusive community.
This year, I am honored to be part of FJC’s Yitro Leadership Fellowship, Cohort VI, with Shoshi Rothschild, a Camp George alumna, serving as my advisor. This opportunity has begun to expand my understanding of resonant leadership and the ways I can continue to grow as a leader.
Looking back, I see a journey shaped by belonging, courage, and intention. URJ Camp George gave me my foundation: the joy of Jewish life, the power of community, and the impact of being truly seen. CMC gave me the confidence and tools to step into my voice as a leader, embrace growth, and carry forward lessons that shape how I guide others. I carry these teachings every day. They inform how I mentor staff, design programs, and create spaces where campers and colleagues feel safe, inspired, and valued. The sense of care and belonging I discovered at the age of nine continues to shape how I show up as a leader today. If my story encourages others to lead with compassion, build with intention, and believe in the difference they can make, then I know I am honoring the people and places that helped raise me.
