My time spent in a Jewish youth group in high school is typically one I try to forget about. The memories of my awkward self trying to dance it up at themed events always make me shudder, but I actually did learn a lot about myself during the years I spent in BBYO. It certainly was a unique experience that left a lot of memories that only fellow members could understand.
With all the good, the bad, and the ugly, here are 15 memories you definitely have if you spent your adolescent years in a Jewish youth group:
1. The cringeworthy dances.
Always had a theme. Always had snacks. Always had awkward grinding everywhere you looked.
2. Having no voice at the end of conventions.
And no one at school understood why or where you even were.
3. A sizable collection of nametags and lanyards
A proud collector’s item.
4. The absurd rules that never made any sense.
“Two feet on the ground at all times!”
5. Spooey with your new squad in the hotel room.
There’s no better way to seal the bonds of new friendship than with pretzels, frosting, and only a vague understanding of what the word actually means.
6. Trying to find the perfect outfit for the ~formal~ dance.
Your outfit for this was crucial. With your mom pressuring you to find a husband and your friends pressuring you to grind with a prepubescent boy, the ensemble was essential to your success.
7. Taking pictures of other people hooking up.
Your phone most likely had more pictures of your friend making out with someone than pictures of you and your friend together – don’t lie.
8. Cheering at the top of your lungs.
You can probably still remember the words to all the chants if you think about it.
9. An insane amount of T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Which turned into amazing frackets.
10. Bonding programs that actually brought out some serious feels.
You suddenly find yourself telling your deepest secrets to a room full of dozens of girls, most of whom you just met two days ago. Sounds weird, but it just works.
11. The influx of Facebook friend requests after an event.
When you felt your most popular.
12. Trying to explain what a youth group is to outsiders.
Your other friends don’t get what you do on these weekends (or what this even is), and think you spend most of the time praying. They’re shocked when they find out what really goes on.
13. Trying to convince your friends that it’s fun and your parents that it’s wholesome.
Both of these were hard to do.
15. “Post-convention depression.”
And wanting PCD to be considered a legitimate medical term.
16. Good and welfare.
Not wanting to hear anyone else’s inside jokes but having no limit on the amount you were going to share.