Shalom CJ Family,

As our campers prepare for our first Kabbalat Shabbat, it’s time to reflect back on this first week of Camp.  It’s hard to believe that so much has happened in such a short amount of time, and yet, we are ready to wake up tomorrow and start it all over again!

After tearful goodbyes to our First Session campers, we quickly turned things around to welcome our Second Session families over the weekend.  We hosted two well-attended receptions and information sessions at the Hampton Inn in Hendersonville on Sunday afternoon.  It was wonderful to see the familiar and new faces of our excited campers– and their parents, of course– and catch up before Opening Day.

Just before 9am on Monday morning, our gates opened to live Israeli music, dancing, and eager campers flooding the entrance.  After everyone was settled into their cabins, we proudly broke ground on our new Chadar Ochel and celebrated with our Board members and guests.  Campers, parents and alumni snapped up CJ t-shirts, water bottles, hats, and more throughout the day — everyone loves to wear our swag throughout the year!  Thanks to all who supported camp by purchasing CJ sportswear.

Since we said farewell to parents and guests, our campers and staff members have been enjoying non-stop fun!  They jumped right into the swing of things– swimming, singing, dancing, playing sports, and of course, learning.  Three full days of rotational activities (six per day) plus two chuggim (electives) per day and three peulot eda (unit activities) and three tochniot erev (nighttime activities) equals a whole lot of opportunity for fun!  Keeping busy with outrageously fun activities has helped to cure any initial homesickness, and everyone is having a great time.

On Wednesday night the Kesher eda performed their hatzaga for the entire camp!  They worked with our rikkud instructor, Michal, to choreograph and perfect a dance and with our shira counselor, Ilana, to learn a song to sing to the audience.  Their hatzaga was called “Night at the Beit Ha’am” and modeled after “Night at the Museum.”  Instead of historical figures and animals coming to life, the Bikkurim plaques that hang in the Beit Ha’am came to life, and the Kesher campers and staff had to save camp!  Everyone had a blast.

Last night was an extra special evening for our Offarim and Bogrim campers.  Our young Offies were awakened by their Bogrim big brothers and big sisters for their BO reveal.  Each session, we pair up our youngest and oldest 25 day campers as big brothers/big sisters.  They get to enjoy s’mores at a campfire, get to know each other, and learn BO cheers and songs.  This morning, they were surprised once again when they found out they’d be going BO-Bowling!  Throughout the session, the Bogrim continue to provide mentorship, leadership and nurturing to their “littles.”

We just welcomed the rest of our Chalutzim campers “home” to CJ this afternoon from First Session at Tel Yehudah, our senior camp in Barryville, NY.  They will be with us for Shabbat and a few days following before they embark on their 10-day Outward Bound trek in the Pisgah National Forest in the Linville Gorge area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This area is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. More than 200 million years old, the Appalachian Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The highest mountains east of the Mississippi River can be found here with peaks reaching from 4,000 to 6,684 feet. This area contains some of the best stands of uncut forest in the southern Appalachian range. Our campers will find old-growth Hemlock and Yellow Poplar as well as an abundance of rare plants and animals. They may even see a Peregrine falcon, an endangered species that was reintroduced to the area in the 1980s.  We are extremely excited for our Chalutzim campers and know they will have the time of their life on this custom-designed North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) trek.  Camp Judaea’s Chalutzim experience is one of NCOBS’s oldest custom programs.  

This evening, our Sayarim campers will lead us at Kabbalat Shabbat as we welcome in Shabbat with beautiful singing and dancing. Sayarim campers and staff will also then lead t’fillot tonight and tomorrow morning.  

Looking ahead, Kesher will depart for New York City Saturday night after Havdallah.  They have amazing itineraries planned by their Trip Director and Merakezet.  Then on Sunday, the rest of camp will head out on overnight campouts and day trips.  Everyone is excited for all of the adventures ahead of us after a relaxing and meaningful Shabbat!

Please enjoy the this week’s episode of CJ News!

CAMP JUDAEA NEWS 2016 – WEEK 1 second session from Camp Judaea on Vimeo.

Shabbat Shalom from your Camp Judaea Family!