As someone who worked in TheZone in numerous different positions I believe I have enough concrete knowledge to politely disagree and argue with the posters above who were bashing/putting down TheZone. As someone who never attended Nagila I can not and will not say my opinion regarding their camp and method but I will say that I am aware that they work and run very differently than The Zone, but at the end of the day the goals of both organizations are the same and therefore, there should be equal respect and admiration for both of them, from staff and admirers of both.
In response to the posters above, yes, The Zone has a big raa-raa type of staff; however, that does not at all deem them less yeshivish than any other staff. There is no reason why raa-raa can not come together with sincere, yeshivish-ness. Our staff are fun, energetic, devoted, spirited YESHIVISH girls who know how to be “the best of both worlds” and give our campers the time of their lives.
Regarding English music, all I will say is that EVERYTHING in The Zone is done according to Da’as Torah.
In response to you writing about in TheZone you don’t have much of a kesher with the campers unless you are a counselor – trust me, this is not true. As I said, I was in camp for many years, not one of those years was my job to be counselor, yet somehow I still managed to form many, long-lasting relationships with campers of all ages. Being a counselor may give you the opportunity to have a more direct relationship with the campers in your assigned bunk; however, being a specialty allows you the opportunity to form relationships with many different campers, from all divisions, bunks, ages and etc. No-one will force a kesher with a kid upon you; you have to come with the attitude that you want to be here for the campers, you want to make a difference in their lives; you want to do something and then you will.
Whatever decision you make, Hatzlacha and remember that at the end of the day it’s up to you to make a difference, regardless of which camp or organization you end up working for.