Hey y'all! Well, the summer may be winding down, but Adventure Camp is going out with a bang! The session has gone above and beyond any expectations I may have had, and I owe it all to the campers. Not only have they completed each activity with excitement, enthusiasm, and dedication to excellence, but they have strengthened their relationships as a team to a point of sheer amazement. Our education has also been tremendously successful, as one Talmidimer mentioned last night, "hey yeah, we did learn a lot of Jewish stuff. Hey, that was fun! It was actually really fun, and I remember all of it! This was the best summer ever!"

 

Both Talmidim and Maskilim have completed a junior lifeguard training program where they learned about various types of swimmers and rescues, including different ways to enter the water, how to use a lifeguard tube, and execute a proper water rescue with a backboard. For a Jewish component, we spoke about pikuach nefesh, our responsibility to human life, and learned that the Talmud actually commands that we teach our children to swim. Everybody had an awesome time, and several campers even mentioned how much they now want to become real lifeguards!

 

They also went through an IDF Gadna, where they spent a little over an hour sampling some of the activities that are done during basic training, and then engaging in a discussion with our Israeli staff, all whom have served in the IDF. We began by noting that we went through the program not as a way to glorify the army, but because we are in Adventure camp, working as a team, and are lucky to have this Israel connection and resource as a way to demonstrate that. They spoke about the purity and value-centered ideology of the Israel Defense Force, beginning with the word "defense" rather than "offense" which demonstrates the IDF's commitment to upholding the freedom and liberties of the Jewish people, not any aspirations of conquering others. Finally, we stressed that while it the army is mandatory in Israel, and obviously going straight to the IDF after high school rather than college is a significant difference between American and Israeli children, there is a lot more to being an Israeli and living in Israel than simply the army. The kids were then able to ask the Israeli staff questions, which for me is usually the most nerve-wracking part of the lesson, having no idea what kinds of things they'll come up with. I must say that in both Talmidim and Maskilim, I was blown away. They wanted to know, "what kinds of things did you learn about yourself in the army?" "How did your experience in the army change you?" "How did your experience prepare you for the rest of your life?" "What did you learn about other people?" "Do you think it's a good or bad idea for everybody to have to go to the army?" "What if you don't believe in war?" It truly demonstrated their understanding of the topic, and interest in this part of our complex relationship with Israel.

 

While Talmidim was away on their trip, Maskilim had a unique opportunity to spend some time learning about navigating with only the sun, and in the evening, with only the stars. They went out into the woods and used their knowledge to get themselves back to camp! Additionally, they learned a lot about the different plants and animals that they may encounter in the outdoors, and how to use a compass. They were able to create some new trails, and really learn that they could rely both on each other as a team and on themselves, and accomplish way more than they thought possible! Having a bit more of a disadvantage being such a large group, Maskilim has worked incredibly hard to create the trust and cohesiveness of a true Adventure team, but they have definitely succeeded. This week they finally accomplished one of their main goals from the beginning of the summer - to climb the Alpine tower as well as the large outdoor rock wall! In the last few days of specialty camp, they'll be able to have fun on the zip line and tower swing too.

 

Talmidim has far exceeded any expectations. By working together as a supportive, encouraging, and trusting team right off the bat, they have been able to accomplish everything they've wanted, and will finish their final challenge tomorrow as they complete the X-course, our highest and most exciting high ropes element! Not only are they an amazing group during our three hours each morning, but yesterday they also gave up cabin sports and free swim to come down and help with Maskilim in the afternoon. They set up the tower and climbing wall, got everybody into harnesses and helmets, and belayed the entire camp. It was the most efficient two hours I think I've had all summer! Last night they also had their end-of-summer showcase by running a program for the rest of the unit that they had written and prepared for entirely on their own. It was a James Bond themed event, beginning with finding messages in bottles down at the creek during our evening swim, and ending with each team rescuing a damsel in distress from a villain. The Adventure Camp did an amazing job and the rest of the kids said it was one of the best evening programs of the entire summer - definitely a success!

 

Being the Adventure Department Head has been an amazing personal growth experience for me, and I hope I've helped your children learn some things about themselves as well, and of course we've had tons of fun. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know each and every one of them, and I can't wait for next year! Have a great rest of your summer!