We’re So Grateful for Our Incredible Community!

Shalom, y’all and welcome home, second session! 

First session was incredible, and now that second session campers are here, our family is complete—and this is going to be the Best. Summer. Yet! We’re so excited for everyone to try new things, be kind, make new friends, and, together, create a sacred community. Most of all, we’re excited for everyone to have lots of fun! 

And we didn’t waste any time getting started. Take a look at our week in review video and you’ll see what we mean.

At our opening night ceremony, everyone sang, met the leadership team, and was introduced to the Jewish values that will guide us at camp: Tzedek (Justice), Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Kindness), Tikkun Olam (Repair the World), and Hineni (I Am Ready).

Olim started the week with their swim tests, a tour of camp, and working with their bunk mates on the cabin brit (covenant the entire cabin agrees to follow). Kickball, cooking summertime sweets, swimming, gaga, and other cool chugim (choice activities or electives) rounded out the week, while bunk nights, campfires, and an “Olim”pic sports program filled the evenings.

After swim tests, the camp tour, and the cabin brit were finished, Garin had tons of fun with archery, in the pool, and in the art room. They played tennis and made friendship bracelets, too. At night, they played capture the flag and had a one-of-a-kind program about camp conspiracies.

Maskilim had a great week, filling their days with a unit pep rally, wacky science, boating on Lake Gary, and adventure, sports, and arts specialty camp. A pool party and other cool events filled the nights, including a challenge to rescue Rebecca, their unit head, by doing a bunch of different things to find clues that would lead them to her. It was great fun for everyone!

Talmidim spent time playing basketball, doing camp comic making, and dancing. They also had kehillah (community) as a whole unit where they learned about Jewish practices and discussed life in the Jewish world. At night, they had a pool party,  a social justice program about civil rights, and a spy-mission event complete with decoding and water guns!

Chalutzim had a terrific time playing flag football, boating on the lake, and cooking. They also got some great college tips from staff and the leadership team and learned about getting a Garin buddy. This initiative pairs Chalutzim campers with Garin campers one on one, and for the rest of the summer it’s easy to find the buddies dancing at song sessions and spending time together at other activities. It’s a great way for Garin campers to make friends beyond their unit and try new things with encouragement from older campers. In the evening, Chalutzim had a campfire, casino night, and a sports program. 

Today Chalutzim is helping set up for Shabbat, and after this wonderful, full-to-the-brim week, we are all ready for the slower pace tomorrow will bring. But first, Shabbat dinner, topped off with delicious cherry cobbler for all.

We are so fortunate and grateful to be together in our incredible community. We dream of summer all year long and finally, finally…We. Are. Here.

Shabbat shalom to all our Jacobs families. Wishing you a restful, terrific weekend.

Love, 

Anna