Hi! I’m the director of a girls’ travel camp, and this summer we ran a special alumni trip with girls who had joined us over several different years.

It was definitely an interesting mix. Different ages, different stages, and many of the girls came in already having their own friendships and their own “cliques.” Achdus is always one of the biggest goals of our camp, but going into this trip, I knew it might take a little more effort than usual.

The trip began right after Tisha B’Av, and many of the girls had just watched the incredibly moving Letting Go film. Charlotte’s story had really touched us all.

So we decided to take something upon ourselves in Charlotte’s zechus: to go above and beyond to create unity within our group. To reach outside of the friendships that already felt comfortable. To notice the girl who might be on the outside. To make sure every single girl felt seen, heard, included, and cared for.

And over those two weeks, I watched them do exactly that.

Slowly, we stopped feeling like girls from different summers and different friend groups, and we became one group. The girls created bonds with people they might never have otherwise connected with. There was a genuine feeling of looking out for one another and making space for one another.

By the end of the trip, we had become something really special.

And I truly believe Charlotte was a part of it.