It’s amazing how some friendships start with a simple inside joke and evolve into something so much deeper. For me, this journey began at North Star Camp for Boys when I was just 11 years old. It was my birthday, and as all the campers gathered to celebrate, there was this kid, Gabe, whom I had never met before. He wasn’t even in my cabin. He walked up, eyes wide, clearly hoping to score a piece of my birthday cake. My counselor Eric, always ready with a joke, told him, "You can have a slice, but only if you’re related to Gavin. Otherwise, it’s only for our cabin." Without thinking, I blurted out, "He’s my cousin, give him a slice!" That moment of quick thinking turned a random encounter into a hilarious inside joke that lasted for the rest of camp.

From then on, Gabe was my "camp cousin," and we bonded over everything from cabin competitions to late-night campfires. We laughed, shared stories, and felt a connection that only camp can create. But as summers came and went, we eventually lost touch, as we were caught up in the whirlwind of school, activities, and life outside of our camp bubble.

Years later, BBYO did what it does best: bringing people back together. I found out through mutual friends that he had joined the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) program—a program that immerses Jewish teens in the culture, history, and spirit of Israel for several weeks. I had friends who were also part of that program, and years earlier, my brother had been on the program, and when I heard his name come up, something clicked. I hadn’t talked to my "camp cousin" in what felt like forever, but I decided to reach out anyway.

At first, it was just a quick "Hey, how’s it going?" on Snapchat, but that one message turned into a daily conversation. Suddenly, we were calling each other a few times a week, sharing everything from stories of his adventures at the Western Wall to the challenges of balancing school and social life back home. We found ourselves reminiscing about our camp days, laughing about that infamous cake moment, camp competitions like “College Days”  and our camp's famous “Green-White Marathon”, realizing how much we had both grown. Despite the distance and the years that had passed, it felt like no time had gone by at all.

But our story didn’t stop there. When summer came around, I convinced him to come back to North Star Camp, not just as a camper but as a counselor. I told him it would be the summer of a lifetime, and he trusted me. That summer, we weren’t just "camp cousins" anymore—we were counselors, role models, and partners in crime. We helped plan epic evening programs, led spirited campfires, and even found ourselves reliving some of our favorite camp traditions from years ago.

One night, after the campers were asleep, we found ourselves by the campfire, staring up at the stars. It was one of those rare, quiet moments where the world just seems to stop. We started talking about BBYO, sharing stories of regional conventions, programs, and the friendships that have shaped us. Despite being from different regions—he’s a proud member of the Ohio Northern Region, while I’m all about the Great Midwest Region—we discovered we had more in common than we ever realized. We had mutual friends who had attended similar BBYO events and even had overlapping experiences that bonded us even more.

That’s the beauty of BBYO. It’s not just a movement; it’s a web of connections that stretches across regions, states, and even countries. It brings people together in the most unexpected ways, turning casual acquaintances into lifelong friends. For us, BBYO didn’t just rekindle an old camp friendship; it transformed it. It turned my "camp cousin" into someone I now consider one of my best friends—a brother in every sense of the word.

This past year, we’ve been closer than ever, attending BBYO and Camp events alike, collaborating on projects, and supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. BBYO reminded us that no matter where we are in the world, we’re part of something bigger—a global Jewish community that thrives on friendship, connection, and shared experiences.

So here’s to BBYO—not just for reconnecting me with an old friend but for showing us that we’re always just one conversation away from rediscovering shared passions and forming lifelong bonds. Whether it’s a slice of cake at camp, watching a Higgins Vlog, a phone call from Israel, or a late-night chat by the fire, BBYO turns everyday moments into something truly unforgettable. For that, I’m endlessly grateful.