Can a girl work in the younger division of a boys camp?

 

Question:

I work as an assistant director of a BOYS day camp.

We have campers age 6-12 and counselors aged 13-20.

We have a “kiddies” bunk in camp, with an older married woman as the main “morah”, there is the option to have a 18 year old girl as the helper for that bunk.

They would be in a totally separate classroom, doing their own activities. They would only eat in the lunchroom at the same time (separate table of course) share the bus during trips (sitting separately in the back or front), and some few activities.

Is there an issue having an unmarried girl in camp?

 

Answer:

Absolutely unacceptable. Even with married staff, there are concerns, certainly with teenagers. It is obvious that single boys and girls working together will undoubtedly lead to a sub-conscious laxity in tznius, and can extend even outside the workspace as they get more comfortable with each other, or in general, they can become comfortable with the opposite gender – a breach of the wall of tznius that exists in our society where boys/girls are kept separate. Often the staff will need to be in contact regarding different matters (transportation, trips, deliveries, etc.) that will require direct communication via cell phone, with its consequences.

I would rather not elaborate on such a topic, but many issues have arisen from such camps, with many having long-term effects. (I want to add that putting boys/girls in this situation with these challenges is a severe violation of Lifnei Iver, and very unfair to them, especially if they are/were unaware. Some counselors will be too embarrassed to speak up about it although the situation is difficult for them or they know it’s wrong).

This is even if what you describe is true and your intentions are pure, nevertheless, we daven every day ואל תביאנו . . לידי נסיון and are warned ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם. However, practically we know what actually happens, וד”ל. And If we are dealing with a mossad of chinuch which endeavors to instill in the children proper chassidish values, the responsibility is greater.

This touches on multiple prohibitions which are practically impossible to prevent, including but not limited to:

Needless chatter (inevitable) – other than a polite hello when needed:

Talking to women and one’s wife

It’s known that a man should not say hello to a woman. What if she said hello to me, what do I do? And is a man allowed to say hello to his niece and sister in-law?

 

Referring by the first name:

I am a Seminary student and I work in an office in the afternoon. Can the males in the office call me by my first name or should they call me with the title Miss? I have to communicate information and be driven by a man.

 

Boys looking at girls (inevitable):

Are men allowed to look at women? (Not talking about family of course) and in what setting are men allowed to look at women? 

 

Proper dress – in a camp setting, people might come to be dressed in a way which is forbidden for someone of the opposite gender to see (this is a problem regardless but obviously doubled when an opposite gender is there).

 

Activities – some activities involve body movement which are forbidden to be viewed by boys/men – see here:

There is an exercise class with only female participants, however the instructor is male. Is it okay to join the class?

 

Singing – see here:

Can a group of girls (11-14 years old) sing together in a nursing home?

 

See here for proper general guidelines:

A Guide for a Yiddishe Summer Experience – פסקי דינים לבנות חב”ד מאת רבני אנ”ש

 

 

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