What an amazing week it has been at Camp Tavor. It has been my greatest pleasure getting to be here every day and getting to know everyone.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Randy, the new Community Engagement Coordinator. I am here in the office to answer your calls and more importantly deliver your letters! I am always here to help with whatever you may need. This is the first of what I hope will be many wonderful summers.

I know you are waiting, patiently, for more photos. We apologize for the delay, out here in the woods our internet has been a little fussy, but we are working to make sure you get those photos every day.

A reminder that we will post them in Camp Minder and we will also announce every new batch on our FaceBook page.

Anyway, It's been an amazing few days! We have really seen the chanichimot (campers) come to life.

There’s been lots of singing and dancing and working to make every day new and exciting while also trying to stay dry. That was not exactly easy for a few of the madrichimot who managed to find themselves (unwillingly) in the lake, including our Rosh (director), Zoe Friedland. (see photo above)

Thanks for posting that Randy. Hi families, this is Zoe! First session has been off to an incredible start. We hit the ground running, jumping quickly into new projects and educational activities. It has been an incredible honor to watch our tzevet (staff) put the summer together, but camp felt a bit lonely without all of the kids here. Now that everyone has arrived, it really feels like the summer has come alive. Every summer we have the privilege of watching your children learn and grow into empowered leaders, and I can't wait to see it and share it with you!

We’re excited to bring you our weekly newsletter, still open to a title (if you have any suggestions), where we will be highlighting different programs and projects throughout the week.

So let’s get to it!

 

Honeysuckle destroyers (trailblazing), machsan (tool shed) and Chava (farm) were trained using our new tool training, created by this year’s Rosh Machsan Adam Rubinberg.

Beit Omanu t (art) has begun planning a new sign for outside of the Sifriya (library) as well as a mural on the side of the pool. They are also super excited about an art collaboration with the Chava !

This week, most chanichimot started out the session with peulot run by their madrichimot (counselors) about kvutzah, consent and communication! 

During chuggim, "My Art Will Go On" made art with a new and super fun medium, food colored spaghetti! 

Chug Broken Record tried out different methods for building giant towers out of cups. Their tallest tower reached all the way from the floor to the rafters of the chadar ochel!

Yom Meyuchad (Special day) was on Thursday. Camp was taken over by the Wild Wild West, after announcing the opening of a new saloon in town, our beloved sheriff disappeared! All of camp had to elect a new sheriff to save the town!

Name: Ariel Hasak-Lowy

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Age: 20

Hometown: Evanston, IL

Year at Tavor: 10

What is your job at Tavor? Mashatz (unit head) Amelimot

What is one activity you are sharing with campers? I love goofing off and doing sill activities like role-playing. It is one of the ways camp is so special to me. The role-playing really helps us all connect and relate in new and interesting ways.

How did you first come to/hear about Tavor? You could say it’s a family business. My dad was a camper in the 80’s and 90’s and worked all the way to being Rosh (summer program director). I couldn’t wait to turn 10 so I could come to amelimot and be just like my dad, and my cousins, and my siblings.

What is your favorite memory of camp? My favorite memory was during peulot ohel (special tent time) when I was in chotrimot, around 11 or 12 years old. We went on a scavenger hunt around camp for ingredients which turned out to be cookie dough. There was so much of it, we turned the hunt around for the older kids. In the end everyone got cookies!

What’s your favorite part of camp?  I love that camp is youth led. It shows how we are all in it together, and supporting each other. Shows that we have a voice and it’s empowering. It’s also amazing to see these kids grow up, seeing us, working together and using that to find their own voices to make changes here at camp and in the world every day.

Last but not least, most importantly: Is cereal a soup? Yes! The broth changes with the ingredients added to it. Duh! 

Name: Mia Russell

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Age: 23

Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota

Year at Tavor: 2

What is your job at Tavor? Rosh Mitbach (Head of the Kitchen)

What is one activity you are sharing with campers? Trying new foods!

How did you first come to/hear about Tavor? My best friend Zoe brought me to Tavor for the first time last year, and I loved it so much I came back for more!

What is your favorite memory of camp? Catering the garinimot’s wedding funch last summer. I also like lying on the kikar listening to music during havdallah.

What’s your favorite part of camp? I feel so lucky that I am able to support campers and staff by providing them with nourishing and tasty food. My goal is for everyone to feel healthy and well-fed, especially picky eaters and our campers with food allergies and dietary restrictions. I hope to offer a variety of foods and encourage kids to try new things, while still fostering a comfortable, stress-free space for all of camp to share meals.  

Last but not least, most importantly: Is cereal a soup?

Oatmeal, grits, and cream of wheat are soups. Dry cereal with milk is not.