Summer camp. Just the words conjure up images of sunny days, lifelong friendships, and that uniquely nostalgic, slightly sugary drink we all remember – bug juice. Reading Seth Godin’s insightful blog post, “Can Summer Camp Change Your Life”, it’s hard not to see parallels between the powerful bonds forged around campfires and the dynamics of successful communities, or tribes, as Godin eloquently describes in his book Tribes. Godin, a leading voice in marketing and business thinking, understands the power of connection, and his reflections on summer camp offer a surprising lens through which to examine how tribes function and flourish.
Many of us have experienced the tribal effect firsthand. For my daughters, their years at B’nai Brith Perlman Camp in Pennsylvania were formative. It wasn’t just about canoeing and crafts; it was about becoming part of a tribe. The shared experiences, the inside jokes, the sense of belonging – it created bonds that endure to this day. Their camp tribe, now connecting virtually through platforms like Facebook, remains a vital network, a touchstone for shared memories and renewed connections. This enduring connection speaks volumes about the power of the tribal experience nurtured in environments like summer camp, where, yes, even something as simple as sharing “bug juice” is served and becomes a bonding ritual.
This observation about summer camp tribes prompts a broader question: can we apply these principles to build stronger communities beyond the idyllic setting of summer camp? Consider the concept of the “Jewish tribe.” While often used as a label, the idea of a unified, actively engaged Jewish tribe feels increasingly distant. It’s a broad description that lacks the connectivity and shared purpose of those tight-knit camp communities. Today, identity is multifaceted, and no single label fully encapsulates the diverse experiences within the Jewish population.
However, pockets of thriving Jewish communities, true tribes in Godin’s sense, do exist. Often found at the innovative edges of Jewish life, organizations like Footsteps, Interfaithfamily.com, JDub Records, Keshet, the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, and the Golding/Woldenberg Institute for Southern Jewish Life, all supported by Slingshot Fund, demonstrate the energy of these vibrant, modern tribes. They are building connection and community in new and compelling ways, perhaps even serving up their own metaphorical “bug juice” – unique experiences and shared values that draw people together.
So, how can established organizations learn from these successful models and the enduring power of the summer camp experience? What makes a tribe so effective in fostering engagement compared to traditional marketing approaches?
Godin provides a clear framework: a tribe needs a platform and a leader who can “motivate, connect, and leverage.” It’s not about top-down authority; it’s about bottom-up inspiration. Effective leaders empower tribe members, connect them to each other, and help them realize their collective potential. The power resides within the tribe itself; the leader is simply the catalyst. Within larger, more established organizations, these potential leaders and nascent tribes are often waiting to be recognized and empowered. Godin’s book offers concrete examples of how to cultivate passionate tribes of empowered followers, even within complex organizations. Perhaps the “bug juice” of organizational success isn’t a sugary drink, but the potent mix of shared purpose, empowered individuals, and authentic connection.
