Much of the summer has been a busman's holiday so far. I have visited 8 camps in 4 states to talk about Global Camps Africa and how it relates to campers in US camps.

The response has been powerful. Some campers and counselors are moved to tears; others ask how they can help; many counselors have asked if they can be on our staff in South Africa.

I have spoken to about 1,500 people and have offered our "Change for Kids" label to those interested in having a place to put their spare change until such time as it amounts to a few dollars and parents can send a check.

While it may not get us a lot of money, I love the idea of kids here helping kids in South Africa, even if it is just a few dollars at a time. We are not an Obama for President machine and I do not have illusions about getting millions of dollars (well, maybe I harbor the fantasy), but I want people, especially children, to know that they can be part of a program that makes a significant change in children's lives and it doesn't have to take a lot of money to do it.

All the camps I visited were most supportive. Heart O' the Hills in the hill country of Texas hosted me and had me speak to their camp and to their brother camp, Camp Stewart. I had never been to the San Antonio area and enjoyed the dry heat and the Tex-Mex atmosphere, as well as the wonderful campers and counselors. It was the prototypical Texan hospitality. Jane Ragsdale, Director of Heart, even has a life skills class that deals with issues thought important to American girls coming into adulthood--very different from the life skills of our campers in South Africa.

In Wisconsin, I started in the northwest at Camp North Star, run by my friend Robert Lebby. He had fully prepared his campers and counselors and they had a lot of interest and questions. I then went to Camp Agawak, where I met with the girls and staff for a quick rest hour meeting.

Mike Cohen at Camp Timberlane, who arranged the Wisconsin part of the trip, hosted me for two nights and provided a camp ready to hear and participate in GCA's work. Counselors and campers seemed eager for more information. Unbeknown to me at the time, one of the questioners was a nephew of board member, Nancy Risman. From now on, I ask board members whether they know people at camps before I venture forth.

I also visited Chippewa Ranch Camp, directed by Lisa and Cliff Lissner, and formerly directed by now-author, Thomas C. Adler, who has just published a wonderful book on camping, "Campingly Yours."

Also nice (and full disclosure here) is that a healthy percentage of every sale goes to fund charitable camp ventures, including GCA.

I also visited Camp Chewonki in Maine, whose director, Garth Altenburg, is a good friend of my older son, Andy, and who graciously hosted me last year, too. The crowd was smaller there, as I had to compete with choice activities after dinner, but I liked the competition and was pleased with the quality of the group I got. We'll see what develops from the 20-25 who attended.

My final stop was last Friday-Saturday, when I spoke to three age groups at Camp Blue Star, a large, camp in beautiful Hendersonville, NC, with a "living Judaism" program. Directors Candy and Rodger Popkin were kind enough to weave in GCA with the "power of one" theme for the week. I spoke at two Sabbath services on Friday and then met with the older campers and counselors for a more informal session.

It is great to see so many top camps in a relaxed way. Even though I am tired from the travel, the time at each camp was relaxed, casual, and lovely.

Thanks for providing me the opportunity to do this and to raise consciousness and money for GCA.

I have already received over $2500 from the Wisconsin camps.