We Are all connected
Vidita G., CRS 2023 Session 2, Mumbai, India
Across two in-person Camp Rising Sun sessions and two virtual TELE sessions, we welcomed campers from 36 countries and 11 U.S. states.
Vidita, a camper from Mumbai, India, felt that one of the most profound takeaways she had from this summer was how connected she felt with her peers from different places around the world. She felt instantly comfortable and able to engage in meaningful conversations with people from vastly different backgrounds.
One of our program goals is to bridge the gap between people across cultural barriers. Vidita learned a powerful lesson that reflects the impact of creating a feeling of interconnectedness between people:
“I realized that I'm not alone. When I was Leader of the Day at Camp, I felt really stressed as if I had to be in a million places at the same time. But, I soon realized that I was not alone and that there were 59 other people plus counselors who were there to help and support me if I asked. The entire community supports mistakes. The cheers increase when you mess up.”
When we come together across differences, we are able to envision a world built on the principle of community that supports us all. Vidita’s experience shows how the more we seek to understand other people and become positive forces in each other’s lives, we can create a more beautiful environment where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
“We are the future. The future we will have to live is one we will build ourselves. We have the power to make a positive impact on the world around us. Compassion is one of the biggest and most important components of leadership. When we lead with kindness and empathy, we inspire others to do the same.”