Josh Markwood
Mazel tov to Josh Markwood, our 2024 Wynne award winner! Josh shares his experience in his own words here.
Receiving the Wynne Judaic Experience Award gave me the incredible opportunity to attend URJ Camp Coleman this summer as part of the 8-week Machon program. Returning to camp wasn’t just a trip back to a familiar place—it was a reintroduction to the transformative power of the camp experience and the community that shaped me. For nine years, camp was where I felt safe, happy, and able to grow as a Jew. This summer, I rediscovered those feelings while strengthening friendships I’d built over the years and forging new ones with peers from across the country and beyond. Together, we created a supportive and empowering community, reconnecting with our shared values and memories.
One of the most impactful parts of the summer was watching campers build those same connections. Working with a neurodiverse middle-schooler with high-functioning autism, I helped her navigate the unstructured chaos of free time, guiding her toward activities and interactions that brought her joy and allowed her to form meaningful friendships. Later, I worked in a cabin with the camp’s first camper with Down Syndrome, supporting him and his peers as they bonded over shared experiences and created a space where everyone felt seen and valued.
This summer reminded me of why camp has always been more than just a place—it’s a sacred community. The Wynne Judaic Experience Award not only gave me the chance to reconnect with that community but also to give back, helping others find the safety, happiness, and growth that camp gave to me. It was a summer of rediscovery, connection, and purpose, and it’s one I will cherish forever.
