“The first organization to implement the Operation Respect: ‘Don’t Laugh At Me’ program was the American Camping Association. Historically, summer camp is a time that addresses the healthy social and emotional growth of youth as opposed to emphasizing their academic growth, as do schools. It was a natural fit, “said Yarrow. “In bringing the ‘Don’t Laugh At Me’ program to the Jewish summer camps, that are already focused on teaching the tools of acceptance, understanding, and non-violent conflict resolution, we give them yet another avenue that can be viewed as part of the continuation of the essence of Jewish religious and ethical teachings”

For nearly a decade, Yarrow and his colleagues at Operation Respect have been working with young people to address the disturbing trend of violence and bullying in schools, youth groups and summer camps. By introducing “ridicule free zones,” defining dangerous behaviors and employing role playing exercises the “Don’t Laugh At Me” curriculum teaches students and educators alike the power of positive and safe learning environments. The program is run in over 20,000 schools around the world.

“My hope is that the incorporation of this experiential learning program will add not only to the efforts of Jewish camps to demonstrate the linkage between the teachings of ‘Don’t Laugh At Me’ and the teachings of Judaism, but will also one day be incorporated in camps of all faiths and perspectives,” explained Yarrow.

Using his guitar and the lessons of the program, Yarrow worked with many of the camper groups during the day and he also gave a concert of campfire classics on Thursday night. Yarrow volunteered his time for this event to encourage the creation of a Jewish version of the Operation Respect curriculum incorporating modern educational situations with traditional scared texts.

For more information about the “Don’t Laugh At Me” curriculum and Operation Respect please visit www.dontlaugh.org.