My time at CLTC 1 was truly a life-changing experience. From the people I met to the programming, I was able to feel like I had a place in this community. There are four main points that I want to go over that really made CLTC a life-changing experience.
The people I met at CLTC were so welcoming and easy to talk to. They would always make sure that you are having a good time and would try to help you if you ask for it. I made so many friends that I hope to keep in touch with and see at IC 2025. One of my best friends that I made at CLTC was Ori, and all of those walks when we would just sing Riptide were very memorable.
Max and Joelle were our teen coordinators at CLTC 1, and I couldn’t have asked for better coordinators. Max was such a kind and passionate person, and he would always check up on me if he thought that I was having a hard time. During the first couple of days, it was hard for me to talk to new people, so I would sometimes sit alone during meals. Max would come and make sure I was alright and having a good time. Joelle was such a caring person and was always there for the people she was around.
While the programming at CLTC wasn't always perfect, the staff worked hard to make it fun for everyone. They put in a lot of time to make these programs so that we could have a good time. The mock chapters were my favorite program, and that was partially because of the things we did but mostly because of my advisor and the people in my chapter. During mock chapter elections, Cormac gave one of the funniest speeches that I have ever heard, and I was dying laughing.
The Community at CLTC was something. From Shabbats to meals, everybody was very welcoming, and everyone knew they were a part of a great community. My favorite community moment was the last Havdalah when we all got together, sang songs, and sent off Shabbat. That moment was very emotional for me because I realized that this was the last time I was going to see the friends that I made at CLTC. The emotions just hit hard, and I fell apart and started crying because that was the last time until IC that we were going to see each other.
To wrap everything up, if you are thinking about going to CLTC, I highly recommend it because the things that you will learn there and the memories that you make will last you a lifetime.
Daniel Moses an Aleph from Atlanta, Georgia, and is called a dictionary by some of his friends because of his knowledge.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.
