Toilet Seat Award Tradition and Lore

Back in the late 80’s SAC Co-Directors Lea Hanan and Simon Amiel went for a camp shopping run at the Eagle Hardware on Rainier Ave (where the Lowe’s is currently).  As they were walking through the toilet seat aisle, Simon had a vision.  Why not use a toilet seat (of course, one that is new and clean) for the “cleanest cabin award”?  It was a sparkling idea and resulted in the purchase of two “seats”, and just like that, the tradition of the SAC Toilet Seat Award was born.

Now, on the ground at SAC 2021, we are proud to let you know that the Toilet Seat Award tradition is still intact!  Eleven-year-old camper, Leah Zana of Cabin Livorno (aka G-2), will tell you that she and her cabin-mates worked very hard for the Toilet Seat. When asked how they pulled off the win, Zana explained their strategy.  First, each camper worked on tidying their own area. Once they passed inspection with their counselors, they moved on to the common area and porch.

Besides all the fun of an award that results in a camper donning a toilet seat around their head, the SAC Leadership team has other benefits in mind.  We are highly motivated by wanting to be a gracious (and clean) guest to our host site.  And we also want our campers and staff to stay healthy during their time at camp.  Lastly, we want to model and instill respectful behavior and self-reliance in our campers.  Board Member, Adina Almo explains that “As the Jewish people we carry the responsibility to act as a “light among the nations.”.  Therefore, wherever we go or wherever we settle we must represent as “a light” with the deepest care.”  

Yes, Camp is Camp and not the Hilton.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun AND try to keep things tidy!  And if that means having campers wearing toilet seats (clean ones) around their head and getting a few laughs, we’ll do it!  Thank you Simon Amiel.  Your creative genius is still paying off at Sephardic Adventure Camp over 30 years later.  Our hope is that we’ll be wearing toilet seats for many years to come.  And, B-H, once camp is over and our campers return home each year, the mark that we leave as a Jewish Sephardic camp, will be a mark of dignity; a mark of respect; and, a mark of thankfulness for allowing SAC to co-exist in harmony and light with our host camp.

By Beth Jacoby, Communications Director