By Lauren Silas, Program Coordinator
We enter summer 2024 knowing something is different. The sense of community and Jewish pride flowing through camp is stronger than ever before. I am excited to share some exciting updates to our programming that will enhance each camper’s experience and deepen their connection to our shared Jewish culture and values.
Our goal for programming is to make each program special and intentional for our campers. This year, we tasked each village with ensuring they planned multiple programs relating to Israel, Jewish life, and mental, emotional, and social wellness (MESH). During staff week, I noticed staff members from all villages jumping at the opportunity to plan these types of deeply impactful programs for their campers.
At the Programming 101 workshop during staff week, three Israeli counselors in Kaufmann village excitedly began planning a program where they would teach their campers classic Israeli party games that are special from their childhood.
One of my favorite programs that begins each summer is Dyadic Encounters. In these programs, campers are intentionally paired with other campers they may not be as close with or have yet to meet. They are given a list of questions to ask one another and they each answer all the same questions. The other day at breakfast, Rebecca, Yalla Village Leader, saw one of her first-time campers bring another camper up to her brother and say “meet my new friend!”.
It is moments like this that make community-building programming so special. I am so excited to continue to see all the wonderful programs that our campers will get to participate in this summer.