It has been quite a week at Camp Tevya.
Since I last wrote, our usual Shabbat morning service was transformed into “Shabbat-o-Rama” with Tsofs and Bogs choosing between yoga, traditional, music and meditation services. The Oles had their own special service. The yoga service was led by one of our alumni, and the rest by our staff. These services gave our campers an incredible opportunity to choose a form of prayer that they found most meaningful. Later in the day, Birya and Tel Chai did their own transformation of El Bess and gave us a rousing Four Square Tournament, foreshadowing events soon to come.
Sunday morning, we welcomed 38 families to camp for our prospective camper day. We were a little challenged by the rain, but camp still happens in the rain, and so it was rainy day activities for all. Our guests went on tours, tried activities and then had a BBQ lunch. In the afternoon, our Jewish Arts Festival performers traveled to Camp Pembroke for the 37th Annual Jewish Arts Festival. I was so proud of our campers who performed 2 songs and 2 dances displaying their interpretation of this year’s festival theme, “We believe in the future.” Watching them definitely made me believe in the future as our campers sang and danced with passionate hearts and genuine smiles. So many people commented that they could tell our kids really had fun performing. We are already looking forward to the 38th festival which will be held at Camp Tevya next summer.
Monday was a typical sunny camp day with regular activities. Monday night, however, was a special night as it was trip night for our Oles and Tsofs. The Oles went miniature golfing at Max’s Country Golf in Tyngsboro and the Tsofs went to Chunky’s to see Secret Life of Pets. The Bogs greatly enjoyed having camp to themselves. After the rest of camp left, our oldest campers gathered in the pavilion for a coffee house style concert by singer/songwriter Michael McArthur. Michael was doing a New England tour which included concerts at a few camps, and Tevya was lucky enough to host him. On Monday night and Tuesday, we also had a visit by Harrell Wittenstein, the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Jewish Camps. Camp Tevya is a part of this association that brings camp professionals together to share ideas, connections and resources.
Everyone “knew” that Color War was breaking on Tuesday (and Monday, and Wednesday), so we had to catch the camp off guard. At 6:30 am, “Eye of the Tiger” played over the PA system. Everyone jumped out of bed and followed the signs to the soccer field. The field was decorated for the Olympics, complete with rings and a torch. As captains and teams were announced, it was wonderful to watch the camp community come together to support their friends, at the same time they divided themselves into four different teams. The rainy weather postponed the activities but did not dampen the excitement. 
The captains dug for the heart as the rain subsided. In this opening event, team captains dig in the sand to find one piece of a wooden heart puzzle. The color of the piece they find is the color of their team. When placed together, all four pieces (red, yellow, blue and white) form a heart. Teams cheered as each team color was revealed. After rest hour the whole camp headed to the Key to Competition. This event includes the reading of clues followed by the running to different locations to look for the hidden key. This is the key that will hang on the Dining Hall wall with years and years of other Color War keys. This year the key was hidden in the refrigerator in the Science/Videography room. After the key was found, all teams met on the Soccer Field for a Tug of War tournament. Only at camp can Tug of War become a tournament! After a Western-themed dinner and a brief free play, it was time for Culture Bowl. Overall, a very busy and exciting day.
Early Wednesday morning, camp was already teeming with our 14 and 15 year olds collecting wood. The wood is used for the rope burn, which is the ending event of color war. On any given day a 7:30 am wake-up can be a challenge for this age group, but the desire to succeed in the competition brought them into the woods before 7:00 am to prepare for Color War’s conclusion. After breakfast and clean up, we held our Maccabia Games. This covered everything from the softball throw to a shoe scramble, to wheelbarrow races, ultimately ending with the marathon; the camp Tevya marathon, that is – two times around camp for a 1 mile run. What impressed me the most about our campers who competed in these games was their determination to win complimented by their sportsmanship and support of others. I loved watching campers cheer on their teammates and also their friends on other teams. After lunch and rest hour, we did the All Camp Relay, a favorite camp activity. Every camper has a part in this race. Later, while teams were in their team meetings, we welcomed our 41 CITs back to camp. These campers entering 11th grade had just returned from 5 weeks in Israel as part of the Cohen Camps Dor L’Dor program. They had their first meeting as a Tevya CIT group before joining the whole camp for our Peace, Love and Tie Dye themed dinner. Our 2016 family is now complete and everyone is back home – back in the Tevya bubble for the last 2 weeks of camp.
Wednesday night was Beat the Clock – a variety of fun races and competitions ranging from an egg toss and pass-the-orange (neck to neck) to the culminating event: the pie eating contest. I don’t think I will ever eat pie again.
Teams met on Thursday morning to prepare for another day of Color War activities. Some campers participated in the Gordon Games which included newcomb, basketball and kick ball tournaments. Other campers participated in Aquatics Day, racing in events such as the 25-yard newspaper reading (while swimming) race and egg-on-a-spoon (while swimming) race and a Tevya style triathalon of swimming, kayaking and running. The Omen is an event that involves team members canoeing down the river to retrieve their team flag and then canoeing back only to capsize (deliberately) and swim the boat in. The 
morning ended with the greased watermelon tournament. Lunch led into an extended rest hour due to the fact that everyone was tired from the morning activities. The afternoon was spent with teams preparing for Songfest. Songfest is one of my favorite events of the summer. In just two days, teams prepare and practice a Hebrew song, a team cheer, an alma mater and a fight song. They also each present a banner which will hang on the Dining Hall wall next summer. The campers were so proud of their songs and banners!
This morning was the Apache Relay. This race around camp includes 93 different events. Team members each perform events as part of this all-camp race. There are running events, water events, athletic events and miscellaneous events like eating a bowl of pudding, writing a postcard and drawing a picture. I can’t even describe the energy and spirit generated by the Apache. This event concludes with the team captains skipping across the Bog Field, ready to make a fire with the wood they have been collecting all week. As the fires burn, teams watch and cheer to see which fire burns the team rope first. Points from the week’s events are added up and winners announced. The winner of Color War 2016 was Negev! We spent the afternoon enjoying a beach day and Foam Fest brought to camp by Siagel Productions.
Now that Color War has ended, we are happy to no longer be four teams and to go back to being one camp. I love that as Color War ends, we go right into Shabbat. I am looking forward to the peacefulness of the holiday followed by the regularity of next week.
Shabbat Shalom.
On Sunday we hosted the Tevya Tennis Invitationals. We always look forward to this event, as we welcome guests from other camps into our camp for this annual competition. The combination of Manu’s (our Head of Tennis) love of tennis, strength as a coach, and touch of competitiveness led to a successful outcome for the Tevya team, as we received the first place trophy.
The inter-camp competitions continued with a group of campers traveling to Camp Pembroke on Monday for the annual Pembroke Swim Meet. On Tuesday, our Bog basketball team traveled to Camp Yavneh and our Tsof basketball team traveled to Camp Tel Noar for tournaments. Tuesday evening our Bogs shared their own talents at an open mic coffee house. Tsofs enjoyed a traditional campfire on Lake Potanipo. And our Oles had a visit from alumna Liz Berman, 
Yesterday was a very busy camp day. The Oles and Tsofs spent the day at the New Hampshire amusement park, Canobie Lake Park. The water rides were definitely a favorite on the hot day. Meanwhile back at camp, the Bogs enjoyed a late wakeup followed by everyone’s favorite breakfast – omelet bar. After this special morning treat, our oldest campers gathered with our Israeli staff for Army Day, getting a taste of what it is like to be a part of the IDF. As the Oles and Tsofs were heading back from their day at Canobie Lake Park, the Bogs were leaving for their evening trip to Canobie. Upon their return, our Oles 
and Tsofs had a special evening activity – the CIT carnival. The CITs worked so hard preparing and hosting this fun annual event. The energy in Elbess was amazing and it was all because of the positive spirit of our CITs as they led our campers through games and activities. Although I was disappointed that I could not win an arm wrestling contest, even after 6 weeks of Barre class, the oreo truffle snack definitely made me feel better.
Happy Spring, Camp Tevya!! My name is Stacey Smalley, and I am so excited to be the Olot Head Counselor. There is nothing like the fabulous chatter, energy and excitement that comes from the youngest of the girls’ areas at camp. I can’t wait to tie-dye t-shirts, play 4square, jump into Potanipo, take nature walks, watch you take care of the animals, and observe the friendships that form and grow every summer. This morning, I was taking a walk… I heard birds, smelled the crisp fresh air, saw a beautiful sun rising in the sky. All I could think of was the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over Lake Potanipo at camp. The warmth of the summer sun is soon upon us! I have been a Camp Tevya camper, counselor, and been on the Leadership Team for a combination of 15 years. Many years ago, when I was in college and a Bunk Counselor at Tevya, I was mostly found on the tennis courts and in the Olot area. During my last summer as a Bunk Counselor, I was the Head of Tennis and the oldest girls’ counselor. A couple of summers ago, I was the Tsofot Head Counselor… And last summer I was the Olot Head Counselor. All in all, I have really had a chance to delve deeply into the 3 girls’ groups (Olot, Tsofot, and Bogrot) during all my time at Tevya. During the off season, I teach Latin and am the Language Department Chair and Wellness Coordinator at The Fessenden School in Newton. Get ready for lots of fun and friendship this summer in the Olot Area!!
I am so excited to return to Camp Tevya for my third summer as Tsofot Head Counselor! As a child, I went to a Jewish day camp and then to Camp Pembroke for a few summers, followed by working at a local Jewish camp. Going to camp both as a camper and a counselor truly helped shape the adult I am today. My husband, Dave, grew up coming to Tevya and is excited to spend another summer here too! I have my master’s in Education and was a 5th grade teacher in Newton, MA before becoming a full-time stay at home mom to our three children, Molly (10), Sam (8), and Ethan (5.5). While the kids are at school, I currently work from home with a health and wellness company, helping people to become their healthiest selves, which I love! Helping people and developing them to be their best selves is also something that I love about camp. There is such an amazing opportunity for everyone to grow and learn in the camp environment. It’s very special for me to be a part of that, and the memories that are created at Tevya. I look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces soon!
My name is Jess Henderson and this is my fourth year as the Bogrot Head Counselor. This summer marks my 13th summer at Camp Tevya, combining my camper and counselor years (’86-’94), and the current years as a Head Counselor. I am very excited to be able to celebrate my Camp Bat Mitzvah with everyone this summer! During the 10 months away from Tevya, my family and I live in Natick, MA and I work as a Speech and Language Pathologist in a middle school setting in Framingham, MA. My three children, Zach, Mikayla and Kira, look forward to their two months in 03033 and I am blessed to be able to see their smiling faces while I am working each day! I love being a part of the Tevya community and to see each camper and counselor grow every summer, making new memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Hey, I’m Ben and this will be my 20th summer at Camp Tevya. I started as a camper in 1998 and haven’t left yet! For the past six summers, I have enjoyed serving as the Bogrim Head Counselor. I’ve had many other roles at camp during my time, but my favorite was teaching campers to wakeboard and waterski. Tevya is a special place for me as some of my closest friendships were born on the shores of Lake Potanipo. Memories of campfires, Color War, and late night bunk talks bring a smile to my face. As the Bogrim Head Counselor, I am excited to work with our team of counselors to provide our campers with the same opportunities to make memories, build friendships, and develop leadership skills. I have a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and am currently a doctoral student at William James College studying child and adolescent psychology. I also work as a clinician at Needham Youth Services where I provide school-based and outpatient clinical services to teens in the Needham community. When I’m not working, I enjoy waterskiing, playing hockey, watching hockey, talking hockey, spending time outdoors, and everything camp! I am counting down the days until we return to our summer home!
This will be my 24th summer at camp. I have been… a little bit of everything: camper (7 years, including CIT), counselor (four years), Head of Shira (2 years), Boys Head (6 years), and my current role overseeing teaching and curriculum as Assistant Director (5 years). My “outside of camp” roles mirror my summer work. I am the Math Curriculum Coordinator for grades 6-12 in Watertown, MA and have taught the Watertown High School chorus and select choir for 21 years. Beyond (and sometimes for) work, I like to sing and play music, code, and run. Tevya is a special place for me. My mother was a camper, and now my children have grown up at camp. This year my daughter will be on Dor l’Dor, my son will be a 2nd year staff member, my wife (now in her 13th Tevya summer) comes up for long weekends… it’s going to be a great summer!
Hi! My name is Margo Seresky and I am the Program Director at camp this summer. This will be my 3rd summer as Program Director and my 12th in total. Before being Program Director, I was a camper for 8 summers and then returned to camp 5 years later to be Assistant Program Director. I spend the 10 months that I am not at camp as a teacher. This past school year, I was an assistant teacher in first grade at the Rashi School. I will be returning there in the fall, in the same position. I graduated from Syracuse University in 2015 with a major in Early Childhood and Special Education, and am currently pursuing my masters in Reading Specialty at Lesley University. Along with working with children, I love to be active, play tennis and spend time with family and friends. Each summer, Tevya allows me to be my best self and have more energy and fun than I ever thought possible! My Tevya friends are still some of my closest friends and we still cherish the memories we shared at camp. I love fostering that same love for Tevya for our present campers. I’m excited for our new electives, special activities, and evening programs that we planned for this summer! Summer 2017 can’t come soon enough!
We have been Caretakers at Camp Tevya since 2001. Curt started as a part of the Maintenance Team in 1994. I helped him in the fall of 2000 doing the fall cleanup with raking. We both have enjoyed all these years taking care of Camp Tevya during the off season, as well as being there during the hustle and bustle of the season. It is wonderful to see all the activities available for the campers. All the activities sure keep us on our toes! We have been very happily married 40 years, are parents of 6 kids (5 boys and 1 girl), and the grandparents of 11 (6 boys and 5 girls). It’s been a great and busy life!
Hi, I’m Jen and this will be my 6th summer as Tevya’s Office Manager, and my 17th overall. Many years ago, I spent my summers on Lake Potanipo as a camper, CIT, bunk counselor, and Assistant Head of Waterfront, and I am thrilled to be back working in the office. In addition to these roles, I have also been a camp parent for the last 11 summers. I have 4 children who have all grown up at camp: Sara, Amy, Jack and Adam. In the off-season, I live in Westborough, MA with my husband, Sam, where I stay busy volunteering in my children’s schools and at our Synagogue all the while trying to keep up with our children and all of their activities. We are all looking forward to another summer of making memories on the shores of Lake Potanipo!
My name is Margaret Rocchio. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and the Head Nurse at Camp Tevya. This is my 10th summer at Camp Tevya. This summer, my oldest daughter, Antonia, will be a 3rd year counselor and my youngest daughter, Giovanna, will be helping in our Childcare Department. Camp Tevya has become part of my family. When I am not at Camp, I live in Dorchester, MA with my husband and three children. I work as a school nurse in a Boston Public School during the school year. I love to ride my bike and I look forward to early morning bike rides on the path that runs through the camp and into Milford, NH. I look forward to meeting new campers and reconnecting with the campers I have known through the years. One of the best parts of camp nursing is to witness the growth and maturity of the campers every year. I also love to reconnect with the parents that I have come to know over these past nine years.
This will be my 13th Summer with the Cohen Camps and 7th with Camp Tevya (I spent the 1990’s at Camp Pembroke). As Head Chef, I am responsible for all of the dining services throughout the camp. During the boring part of the year, I am an assistant professor of culinary nutrition at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. I have an undergraduate degrees in culinary arts and food service education, an MBA in health care operations, and am currently a doctoral student at A.T. Still University Graduate College of Health Studies. I live in Watertown, MA along with my beautiful, smart, and busy wife Jessica, and our two kittens Lenny and Karl. I love to play music, kayak, bike, and (of course!) cook.
This will be my 20th summer at Camp Tevya. Though there’s been a 9 year hiatus, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting the last 3 summers to lead Shabbat Yoga on the beach during the annual Shabbat-o-Rama. This summer, I am thrilled to be returning as the Head of Waterfront; a work of love I enjoyed for 6 years previously. I have a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Rehabilitation from the University of Maine at Farmington. I am an American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard, and Lifeguard Instructor. During the school year, I teach beginning Hebrew at Etz Hayim synagogue in Derry, NH. I am also a yoga instructor and own my own studio in Derry, called Nahar Yoga. (Nahar is Hebrew for river.) I have experience as a preschool teacher, professional alpine ski and snowboard instructor, and I developed an adaptive alpine sports program at my local ski area in southern New Hampshire. My husband, Mike, and I have two children: our son, Jonas (9) and daughter, Mirabel (4)will be at camp for their first Tevya summer. In addition to swimming, skiing and yoga, I love scifi, theater, and hiking. I’m eager to try paddleboard yoga this summer; we did not have that the last time I was at camp! I’m looking forward to a safe, fun summer full of campers improving their aquatic skills all over the waterfront! “Potanipo-oh-oh….it’s where we love to go!”
Shalom Chaverim! I’m Scott Harris, and I’m excited to be coming back to camp as the Rosh/Head of Jewish Life and Learning. The first picture you see was taken at Crane Lake Camp; that’s Sharon my wife (she hasn’t changed), our son, Daniel, and daughter, Sarah, (they’ve changed), and that’s me (I’ve changed the most). Don’t they look so ‘un’happy to be at camp with their parents? The recent picture is that of our growing family. They still look ‘un’happy on vacation with us.
Hello! I’m Amy Jo and this will be my 15th year at Tevya. My youngest son, Adam Goffstein, and I followed my two older children, Matthew and Sara Zimmer, to camp and I have been here ever since! I am Head of Photography and help oversee the creation of the Kolainu (our yearbook). I love walking around camp and taking pictures of all the action so we can share the excitement of camp with our parents. I am a photographer by trade, preschool art teacher during the day, and work in a running store part-time for fun. I love running and for the past 6 years have mentored high school students training with Dreamfar for the Rhode Island Marathon. My newest passion is learning Latin dances like salsa and bachata. Looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces of our campers and staff!
I’m Etay, I am 24-years-old and I am from central Israel. This will be my 2nd summer on staff at Camp Tevya after completing my services as an officer in the IDF. Last year, I was a Tel Chai counselor and this year I will be Head of the Israeli Delegation and Head of Shira. I am really happy to be here again and can’t wait for the summer to start.
Hello Camp Tevya! I’m Ariel Holman, and I am happy to be returning to Tevya for my 2nd year on staff as the Head of Performing Arts. I was also a camper here at Camp Tevya for 6 years (Birya ’09!). During my hiatus from Tevya, I worked on the waterfront of the JCC Camp Grossman. Last year I graduated from Muhlenberg College as a Theatre major while getting my Elementary Education certification, so I love Tevya for allowing me to mesh the two together! While at Muhlenberg, I directed over six productions, was the vice president of the Muhlenberg Women’s Ensemble, and the president of the Muhlenberg College Choir. This year I worked at Temple Israel in Sharon as their Youth Coordinator, working with kids from 2nd grade all the way up to 12th grade. I can’t wait to spend this summer at Tevya doing what I love!
Hi There! My name is Miri Sharon and I am the Head of Arts and Crafts here at camp Tevya. This will be my 5th summer at camp and I am thrilled to be returning to my summer home. My three girls will also spend their summer here on lake Potanipo. Daya is a first year counselor, Ella is in Birya, and Lia as an older Ole. Our family moved from Israel to the states 15 years ago. During the year, I teach Hebrew and art to children and adults. After my service in the IDF, I studied industrial Design at Hadassah College in Jerusalem and these days I work for a local kitchen design company. I love spending time with my family, cooking for my friends, art and much more. I can’t wait to see you all soon and get creative together! Happy summer!
Yes, it’s me: Emanuela (you know me as Manu) Bilderman. I will be back again as the Head of Tennis for my 11th summer! I was born in Tel Aviv and have been living in Israel since then. I have been working as a physical education teacher for the past 34 years at a high school in the city of Holon. I live in Rishon Le Zion with my family: Offer, my husband, and with our three children Shimrit, Shachar and Shai. All my family knows how to play tennis. When I was 16-years-old, I was the third-ranked tennis player, for my age in Israel. I have been the Head of Tennis at Tevya since 2007. I am proud to have the chance to teach camp Tevya’s campers tennis, watch them improve their skills with training and fun, and see them return as tennis counselors working with me.
Hello everybody, I’m Glenn Brannon and I’ll be spending my 10th summer at Tevya. I’m responsible for athletics and sports competitions as well as overseeing our archery, ropes, and fitness programs. I worked in the same capacity for 15 years at a camp in the Adirondacks, and during the year, I’m a high school English teacher and coach here in Coral Springs, Florida. Tevya just keeps getting better and better every year, and we’re all anxious to get back. See you soon!
Hi! I’m Jamie Marcus, and I am very excited to be spending another summer at Camp Tevya! Growing up I spent many summers on the shores of Lake Potanipo. I was a camper, C.I.T, and counselor. This summer I will be the Hospitality Coordinator. In this role, I will primarily oversee the scheduling of summer tours, visitors and guests in the Gordon House, and coordinating transportation and lodging for our international counselor and support staff days off. September through June I am a 4th grade teacher in Westborough, MA. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends. I am still very close with my camp friends. We get together every month to have dinner and catch up. Camp friends really do make the BEST friends! I am looking forward to another fabulous summer in 03033!
Hi my name is Noah Dines and I am so excited to spend my 5th summer at Camp Tevya. This summer I will be the Leadership Development Coordinator, working with our counselors to develop camp-wide programs as part of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Cornerstone program, and to develop leadership training for our Bog Leadership curriculum. I love being outside and working to make our camp a more welcoming and exciting environment. When I am not at camp, I am outside hiking, climbing, skiing, or on a river somewhere. I work the rest of the year in Maine at The Leadership School teaching leadership, team building, and positive character to Maine middle school students.
My name is David Minn and this will be my 3rd summer on staff. I am from the UK and have just graduated from a 5 year masters degree in Aerospace Engineering. I have been both a Tel Chai and Tel Yehuda counselor. Last year I was head of fitness and this year I will be the Assistant Program Director, overseeing all of the evening activities, trips, and special events. I am excited to see camp from a different perspective and can’t wait for the summer to begin!
After our traditional first day lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and French fries, and then rest hour, camp was in full swing. Campers participated in camp tours, bunk talks and swim tests. Our oldest campers, the Bogrim (9th and 10th grade boys) and Bogrot (9th and 10th grade girls), discussed the “Bog” experience at camp. These campers participate in a training program which focuses on the leadership pillars of collaboration, communication and community building. Each year these campers also help our community by being servers at meals. This year they will be wearing new, bright orange, Tevya pinnies as they serve. Birya and Tel Chai (our 10th grade campers) also spent some time working on the first session banquet, which they plan for the entire camp. They picked the theme for this final night activity. No, I can’t tell you – it is a surprise!
Wednesday night we held the traditional first night Department Skits in El Bess, our indoor gym. This annual activity is designed to introduce our staff to our campers. The waterfront staff still does the 12 nights of waterfront, sharing the waterfront rules in a fun song, and the tennis staff amazes us each year by their songs using tennis racquets. Our petting zoo family made their annual appearance, although this year one of the ducks had a nice surprise for us while on stage. It got the whole camp laughing, and after a quick clean-up, we learned that even animals get stage fright. We had a few new skits this year, and we still felt the same Tevya spirit.
Yesterday we began our morning gathered around our new flagpole area. In the past, our community lined up at the flagpole, boys bunks on one side and girls bunks on the other. This year, we introduced some new traditions to our community gathering time. We stood in a circle as a united community, instead of lines, as we raised both the American flag and the Israeli flag. We continued the tradition of saying the Pledge of Allegiance outside and added an upbeat version of Modeh Ani, complete with guitars, before heading inside for breakfast. New flagpole, same Tevya spirit.
Every Thursday night we have our outdoor BBQ, a favorite camp activity. After dinner, our Olim (3rd – 6th grade boys) and Olot (3rd – 6th grade girls) participated in Minute To Win It games and our Tsofim (7th and 8th grade boys) and Tsofot (7th-8th grade girls) participated in silly relay races which we enthusiastically call, Meshugena Games. Bogrim and Bogrot enjoyed a campfire on the beach overlooking Lake Potanipo. It was a fun evening for all.
Our first Shabbat evening together was amazing. The services were led by our older Tsofs (8th grade campers) with support from Cantor Scott Harris, our new Head of Jewish Life and Learning, and our Shira team. Many of these campers had become B’nai Mitzvah since last summer, and it was wonderful to see them, side by side with camp friends, leading our camp community in prayer. As they led with confidence and strength, I could not help but think about how much they have grown over the years. We read the weekly Shabbat letter from our CITs who are traveling in Israel on our Dor L’Dor program. I love that we make this connection to Israel each Shabbat. After services, we enjoyed our Shabbat dinner prepared by our incredible kitchen team and then enjoyed a very spirited Shira (song) session in the Dining Hall. The rain outside created a warmth inside, but unfortunately interfered with our ability to do Rikud (Israeli dance) outside under our new lights.
As I walked around during our first full week of camp, I often found myself thinking about how lucky I am to be able to spend my summers here. Not only do I get to live on beautiful Lake Potanipo and have my meals prepared for me all summer, but I also get to see children overcome challenges and accomplish personal goals every day. I get to see the look of pride on the faces of campers when they get over their initial feelings of homesickness, when they perform in front of a group and when they self-advocate. I get to see campers get up on a paddleboard for the first time and read from the Torah in front of 500 people. I get to see the pride on their faces when they show me the inspirational rock garden that they made to mark the safe place of Tarbut (Jewish Culture) and when they tell me how they swam across the lake to Skunk Hollow for the first time. I am lucky because I get to spend my summers in an amazing place where children are encouraged to grow and where they are supported along the process.
Although Tuesday was a regular camp day, you could tell it was a special holiday. The fact that everyone was wearing red, white and blue clothes, necklaces, hats and socks added to the festive feel around camp. Lunch included an enthusiastic patriotic song session in honor of America’s birthday. After a full afternoon of activities, everyone enjoyed our usual Thursday night BBQ on Tuesday because what would the 4th of July be without a BBQ? During the BBQ, Birya (our 10th grade girls) met with Dalia (our 3rd and 4th grade girls) to reveal the Big and Little Sister matches. Tel Chai (our 10th grade boys) also met with Yavneh (our 3rd and 4th grade boys) to introduce the Big and Little Brother matches. It was so heart-warming to see young kids so excited that they literally jumped into the arms of their “Bigs.” I love the connections that big brothers and sisters make with their “littles.” I also love the fact that I can remember when these “Bigs” were once the “Littles” and are now providing the same guidance and mentoring that they received just a few years ago.
After dinner, we all went to Elbess (our indoor gym) for our annual Red, White and Blue Social and then headed down to the waterfront for a front row seat of fireworks. Our camp is lucky because the Town of Brookline uses Camp Tevya’s campsite, Skunk Hollow, as the base for the town’s firework display. According to the campers in Paul and Alex (two of our fitness counselors)’s cross country class, this year’s firework finale was the best one ever. While we celebrated America this week, we look forward to honoring the home countries of some of our staff later in the summer.
Each year, Birya and Tel Chai (our 10th grade campers) help build team spirit in preparation for our first game day, which was held today with Camp Tel Noar. They introduced the teams and taught camp cheers to the whole camp community. This morning they woke up the whole camp with the cheers they taught last night. Once the whole camp is up, Birya and Tel Chai welcome us into the decorated and spirited Dining Hall for breakfast. For game day, Our Ole softball team, Tsof softball team and Bog volleyball team traveled, while the Ole newcomb team, Tsof volleyball team and Bog softball team played at home. We were able to get most of the games in before the rain with Tsof softball, Bog softball and Bog volleyball winning their games.
With a focus on wellness, Saturday afternoon included a choice of activities. Campers were able participate in either mediation, yoga, barre, boot camp, or a nature walk. After dinner and Havdalah, we hosted our camper talent show. We have so much talent in camp that the number of campers who wanted to participate exceeded the number of acts we could fit into one evening show. Therefore, we are going to have a second talent night, Oles Got Talent, later this week. Saturday night’s show included singers, dancers and a band who wrote and performed an original song. Besides being amazed at the talent, I was amazed at the courage our campers showed as they performed in front of the camp. I am always thrilled at the support our campers show towards each other. The clapping and cheering from the audience made everyone feel like a star that night. The talent show also included the traditional passing down of the song I’m a Little Teapot from a member of Tel Chai (oldest boys) to one of our younger campers, and 
Sunday night was a fairly quiet night at camp. Did I really just write that? There is never a quiet night at camp, but as I walked around the different evening activities, I did feel a sense of calmness. A highlight for me was watching Big and Little Brother and Sister pairs working together to make duct tape boats. Although I don’t think any of the boats actually floated too far across Lake Potanipo, the pairs of Bigs and Littles bonded and laughed as they used cardboard and tape to make a boat that had the potential of sailing across the lake. The other Oles had organized free play with sidewalk chalk and sports games. The Tsofs (7th and 8th graders) enjoyed a game of capture the flag and Kinneret and Tel Yehuda (our 9th graders) held a coffee house. It was a fun, and yes, quiet, night at camp.
Tuesday morning, before the sun was up, Birya and Tel Chai (our 10th graders) climbed aboard Coach buses to head to Three Rivers in Maine for their annual white water rafting trip. This age group has been going on this trip since 2009, and this year, for the first time, I was fortunate enough to join them. After arriving at the campsite, we were taken to the base of a mountain for a fairly strenuous hike. The view from the top of the mountain made the 3 hours of hiking worth it! It was truly spectacular. We returned to the campsite, where everyone relaxed and played lawn games before dinner. The evening campfire warmed everyone up before we headed to our little bunks for the night. Wednesday morning we dressed in wet suits and traveled to the Kennebec River for an exhilarating rafting experience. The guides excitedly shared with us that we picked the best week to be there because the CFS, usually between 4800-6000, was over 8000. I don’t know if I shared the same excitement about the high levels of cubic feet per second, but I jumped into the raft anyway. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the intentional, and unintentional, swim opportunities! We came back to the campsite for a BBQ lunch before heading back home. While I loved the rafting, the highlight was getting to spend such quality time with this amazing group of campers. One of the campers and I reminisced about how she cried to me every day for a week because she wanted to go home when she was a middle Olot (5th grade). She laughs about it now that she is in her final summer as a camper, and is thankful that she stayed!
A few hours after Birya and Tel Chai left for their overnight, Kinneret and Tel Yehuda (our 9th graders) boarded their buses headed to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center where they also went on a hike and played field games. After a fun evening of bonding as an age group, they woke up the next morning and spent the day at Attitash Alpine Slides in Bartlett, New Hampshire.
Last night, 18 of our international staff members coordinated our first, and now traditional, British Night. Campers moved from station to station learning about the UK. Stations included making a British Flag, Proper English (learning how the US and the UK use different words), Penalty Shot (you say football, we say soccer), Tea and Scones, Pin the staff on the map (a geography lesson about where our staff come from) and Do you know your royalty? Our amazing international staff worked so hard on this event and it was so much fun!
Sunday night we hosted a self-defense program for our oldest girls. This annual program sponsored by the Stand Up! Foundation focuses on self-advocacy as well as physical self-defense. It helps the participants grow stronger, both physically and mentally. Through this program, they bond as an age group as they share self-advocacy strategies and learn important life skill, skills that could save their lives. We thank the Stand Up! Foundation for bringing this program to Tevya each year.
Monday was an intense day of basketball, as each of our age groups participated in a tournament. Our Senior campers (9th-10th graders) went to Camp Young Judea, our Juniors (7th-8th graders) went to Camp Tel Noar and Tevya hosted the Junior Junior (3rd-6th grade) tournament. Congratulations to the Senior team who made it to the finals and brought home a second-place trophy!
Tuesday was also another game day, with our campers participating in soccer, frisbee and field games with Camp Young Judea. That night, the Bogs had a trip out of camp, and saw the movie Spider-Man: Homecoming at Chunky’s. With the oldest campers out of camp, the Oles played camp favorites gaga and four square in the HaMigrash (sport court). They concluded their evening with the singing of the Alma Mater as the sun set over the lake. The view was breathtaking. That night the Tsofs broke up into teams and made duct tape boats to race on Lake Potanipo. While we reminded our campers that the fun of this activity is in the process of making the boats, and not necessarily the product, the racing of boats still got a little competitive. Congratulations to all the teams whose boats successfully sailed Lake Potanipo.
Wednesday morning, we welcomed another special visitor to camp. Theodor Herzl (or at least a counselor dressed up as him) greeted us at the flagpole to begin Israel Day 2017. This event was coordinated by our Israeli delegation and our Onward Israel participants, who transported us through generations of Israel’s history. Groups moved through stations which included the Mediterranean in the 1940s, Jerusalem’s shuk (market place) and Western Wall in the 1980s and Mount Hermon in the 1990s. We ate shakshuka and falafel and had a Rikud dance off to end the day. It was a memorable trip to Israel without ever leaving camp!
We welcomed 89 second session campers to summer 2017 on Monday morning. Even with the rain, spirits were positive as friends reunited and new friendships began to develop. The morning was spent bonding as bunks and giving tours to new campers. We had an enthusiastic Shira session after lunch, with our singing drowning out the sound of the rain. Afternoon activities were held in rainy day locations and campers traveled with their bunks to a few different activities including arts and crafts, Discover Israel, a Dutch Auction and a dodge ball tournament. Just as Birya and Tel Chai plan the first session banquet, Kinneret and Tel Yehuda (our 9th grade campers) plan the Final Banquet for our camp community. They didn’t waste any time starting to plan this event, and have already picked the theme (but I can’t share it because it is a secret until the night of banquet).
On Tuesday, camp woke up to our first morning of second session. We had a full day of regular camp activities. However, as soon as second session starts, so do the chants of “1, 2, 3, 4 we want Color War!” This year, our community did not have to wait long. As dinner came to an end, Wally, the Boston Red Sox mascot made an appearance into the dining hall. As he walked through the doors, the Color War theme song “Eye of the Tiger,” began to play, and the entire camp broke out in cheers. Color War was here! The camp followed Wally out to the Bog field where bunks had the opportunity to take pictures with Wally before the teams were announced.
Right after teams were announced, they gathered at their team locations and all our oldest campers led their teams in cheers as they bonded together as a team. While there are team captains, Color War is a leadership opportunity for all members of Birya and Tel Chai, each taking on different jobs in preparing their teams for the events of the week. After team meetings, teams gathered at the beach for the opening Color War activity, Digging for the Heart. Up until this point, teams are identified as Team 1, Team 2, Team 3 and Team 4. The team captains dig for one of the four pieces of a colored heart to reveal their team color and team name. Blue is Negev, White is Galil, Red is Sharon and Yellow is Yarden. This year the teams found all four pieces of the heart (In order: Yarden, Sharon, Galil and Negev) and could put the puzzle together to create the whole heart. Yes, there are still a few pieces from past years buried somewhere deep in the sand of our waterfront. I am waiting for a year when we find 2 pieces of Sharon.
The camp woke up on Wednesday morning, excited for Color War. Now that the teams knew their colors, they were ready to start Color War and the first event of the morning was the Key to Competition. A wooden key, painted with all 4 team colors was hidden in the wood shed on the beach. Team members received clues, one at a time, to find the hidden key. Congratulations to Galil for finding the key! After team meetings, teams competed in the All Camp Relay, a relay race held on the soccer field. After lunch and rest hour, teams met on the Bog Field for the Maccabia Games. These games include a series of races and events including the softball throw, the shoe scramble, the three-legged race and the wheelbarrow race. The Games end with the Tevya “marathon,” a one mile race around camp.
With a threat of rain yesterday morning, the Color War Committee quickly updated the schedule to maximize the outside activity time before the rain came. Half of our campers started their morning on the courts and fields competing in the Gordon Games. The Gordon Games include basketball, newcomb and kickball tournaments. The other half of our camp was on the waterfront competing in Aquatics Day. There were silly races like swimming while reading a newspaper and swimming while holding a ping pong on a spoon. There was also the not-so-silly Omen, in which team members canoe out to the river, get out of the canoe and run up a hill to retrieve their team’s flag, and then canoe back to the waterfront. The morning concluded with the Greased Watermelon competition. I can try to explain this intense competition, but you have to see it to believe it. Imagine a football game in the water with a very slippery watermelon instead of a football. Even that picture in your mind does not do it justice.
While others would choose Greased Watermelon or the Apache Relay as their favorite Color War activity, for me, Songfest wins hands down. Our oldest campers work so hard during Color War writing a Hebrew song, a cheer, a fight song, and an alma mater, and then teaching these songs to the rest of the campers on their team. Team by team, they present each of their songs to a panel of judges. They also make a banner and prepare a speech tying their banner to camp values. The banner gets presented to the Leadership Team and banners are hung on walls around camp. I love the thought that when these campers bring their own children to visit Tevya, they will be able to show them the banner they made so many years before. I love seeing the smiling faces on all of campers during this event, and I love the pride they feel for their team. At the end of Songfest, Galil was in the lead followed by Sharon, Negev, and Yarden.
The inspirational moment that I spoke about in the introduction of this newsletter happened when the winners of Color War were announced. In 4th Place, Galil (white), in 3rd Place, Negev (blue), in 2nd Place, Yarden (yellow), and the winner of Color War 2017, Sharon (red). The entire camp broke out cheering for Sharon, who this year broke a 17-year streak of losing the competition. Regardless of the team, every camper was so happy to see their friends break the curse that plagued Sharon. It was a true representation of the sportsmanship and compassion that is the core of who Tevya is as a community. As I looked out at the see of colors all hugging each other, I was so proud of all of them.
I feel that the tone of Color War is set by our oldest campers, Birya and Tel Chai (BTC) lead the other campers through this 3 ½ day competition. BTC 2017’s positive attitude, strong sense of compassion, and commitment to values such as sportsmanship and teamwork made this week a success in every way possible. In truth, they have set the tone for the whole summer and this week was a continuation of what we have been seeing all summer. For the parents of these campers, I know you must be so proud of your children. BTC 2017 will forever be remembered as an incredible group of teens who exemplify all we want our role models to be.
Last Saturday, we celebrated the B’nai Mitzvah of three members of Camp Tevya’s Leadership Team. Arielle Welch (Waterfront Head), Robert Brown (Chef Manager) and Jessica Henderson (Bogrot Head Counselor) all reached the milestone of spending 13 summers with Camp Tevya and the Cohen Camps, the requirement for a camp B’nai Mitzvah. We are so thankful that these three dedicated leaders are part of the team that makes Tevya the amazing community that it is. Mazel Tov to Arielle, Robert and Jess.
We saw great examples of teamwork on Sunday, as our Tsofot Basketball team, Bogrot Basketball team and Tevya Tennis team participated in camp tournaments around New Hampshire. All teams played well and displayed great sportsmanship and team spirit. The Tsofot team came in first place in the Jr. Girls Basketball Tournament held at Camp Tel Noar, and the Bogrot team came in third place in their basketball tournament at Camp Young Judea. The annual Tevya Tennis Invitational was held at Camp Tevya and organized by Manu Bilderman, our Tennis Head, and our Tennis staff. The “Invies” were very successful, and the entire camp was excited to be able to support our friends in the tournament. Tevya came in second place in the tournament, and the Tevya Tennis Invitational was a huge success. We are so proud of all of our campers who represented Camp Tevya in Sunday’s tournaments.
Watching the action around camp on Monday, the campers have clearly settled into second session. It was a picture-perfect day on the waterfront with the colors of sails and windsurfs flapping in the peaceful wind. As one camper reported to me, “I love it! Lake Potanipo is soooooo refreshing in this heat! You should go in too!” (I agree; canoeing to Skunk Hollow is on my summer bucket list). Walking down to Arts and Crafts, I listened to the rhythmic beat of a Lids class. How is it that the campers can already jam on trash can lids and metal chairs with such a coordinated beat? The staff choreographs the moves together with the campers to create and collaborate a fun and enticing performance. In Arts and Crafts campers were making dream catchers and learning to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. A day in the life at camp is a working machine in motion which celebrates the concept of team in every way.
On Tuesday night, all campers enjoyed trips out of camp. Birya and Tel Chair raced go karts and played miniature golf at Mel’s Funway. Kinneret and Tel Yehuda saw the Fisher Cats baseball game and Tsofs saw The Emoji movie at Chunky’s. The Oles had a great time at Max’s Country Golf. While it was a little challenging for our program staff to plan 4 different trips, each age group appreciated the alone time to bond as an age group. It was a fun night for everyone.
Yesterday was a perfect camp day. I loved walking around and seeing our CITs interacting with our campers. I knew these teens when they were in Yavneh and Dalia in 2010, and it has been a joy to watch them evolve into leaders taking care of this year’s Yavneh and Dalia campers. As I walked around camp, I saw campers in Tarbut (Jewish culture) reflecting on their feelings about their own leadership and about daily happenings around camp life. They experienced the quiet of mindfulness and meditation, and they led each other in exercises with camp objects and nature walks around camp. Our oldest campers created a box with papers that expressed “what fills your spiritual cup around camp?” which will become a time capsule to open at the end of camp. Yesterday, we also held an in-camp Archery tournament. The participants greatly enjoyed the competition with their friends.
Last night, the Oles had a campfire with stories and s’mores while Tsofs had an awesome lip sync show. The campers were so funny, but seeing the counselor round made everyone smile. Our oldest campers were in different areas planning and preparing for camp events. Birya and Tel Chai had fun planning this weekend’s 4 square tournament. They have had so many opportunities to work together this summer, and it has been heartwarming for me to watch how their collaboration skills have improved over the summer. Kinneret and Tel Yehuda were painting murals, writing songs, making decorations for banquet and preparing a gift to give back to camp. Each banquet committee was working together to prepare for Final banquet, which is now less than two weeks away.
Last week I mentioned the Aaron and Blanche Gordon Award, an award presented to two of our second-year counselors based on exceptional leadership during their first summer on staff. Congratulations to Sueann Barsh and Max Ades who received this award, given in memory of Aaron, a dynamic Tevya director and his wife. Our campers are so fortunate to have Sueann, Max and the rest of our counselors as role models and mentors. I am grateful for the remarkable individuals on this year’s Tevya staff team.
This week began with one of the liveliest days I can remember at camp, as we opened camp up in the morning to prospective campers and ended our day hosting the Jewish Arts Festival. Thirty families joined us in the morning to try camp for a day. Our future campers tie dyed shirts and then joined our older Oles (6th grade campers) for a variety of camp activities led by our staff and CITs. At the same time, their parents toured camp with staff and alumni. I am grateful for the spirit of our CITs and alumni and for their help in sharing their love of Tevya with prospective campers and their families.
An hour after our future families left, buses carrying campers from other camps began to pull into Tevya as it was our turn to host the Jewish Arts Festival. We chose the theme “Shiru Shir LaShalom – Sing a Song of Peace.” As a community, we are dedicated to being a part of what brings about peace, and on Sunday we did that with song and dance. Camps Pembroke, Tel Noar, JORI, Bauercrest, Young Judea and Yavneh joined Tevya to showcase their performances. We were happy to welcome the Directors from these camps as well as special visitors Bette Bussel, ACA New England Executive Director; Melanie MacDonald, Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Executive Director; Annebelle Cohen and Jonathan Cohen from the Cohen Camps; and Norma Marcus, whose late husband George was the founder of the Jewish Arts Festival. It was an amazing celebration of Jewish music and dance encouraging personal responsibility for peace. I am grateful for the beauty of song and dance and I am grateful for this generation of children who embody the hope for a world of peace.
This week we welcomed many community partners to visit camp. Claire Winthrop from Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) toured camp with representatives from Boston area Temples. It was nice for the Temple representatives to see members of their congregation enjoying camp. They witnessed what I observe on a daily basis: engagement, physical activity, spiritual connectedness, and just plain fun. The waterfront was spectacular with lessons and swim tests. The arts and crafts annex was bursting with energy from a completed buddy bench that sits in the ole area, rockets being blasted on the Bogrim field and our recycled art sculpture that looks like a colorful tree. I am grateful for our community partners whose support helps connect our children to camp.
As our oldest campers learned about life as an older teen in Israel, Our Oles and Tsofs (3
After BBQ, the entire camp enjoyed the annual CIT carnival. Our CITs worked so hard planning this fun event for our community. Campers enjoyed a variety of booths including oreo races, marriage booth, basket shot, tattoos and face painting, fortune telling and the sponge throw. While I did not win the arm wrestling contest, I did win the watermelon eating contest. I am very proud of my 8 second record! I am so grateful to be a part of a community that values leadership and helps to develop these skills in our youth.
After another active day of waterskiing, street hockey, mad science and ceramics, we stop to prepare for Shabbat which will be led by Birya and Tel Chai, our oldest campers. I look forward to seeing them in their formal clothes, the traditional attire for final Shabbat, and I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to watch them grow up at camp.
Avery credits Tevya with helping him discover the joy of being Jewish. As he was choosing a Tikkun Olam project in preparation for becoming a Bar Mitzvah in June 2018, Avery wanted to do something that was meaningful to him. He wanted to help other children experience the joy of Camp Tevya, as he did, and chose to raise money for the Camp Tevya scholarship Fund. By raising money for scholarships, he is helping to ensure that more children have the opportunity to play 4-square, to sail and to sing at Camp Tevya. Thank you to Avery and his family for thinking of camp.
Happy Spring, Camp Tevya! My name is Stacey Smalley, and I am so excited for Summer 2018 in the Olot area! So much is always abuzz in the youngest area of the girls. Soon I will look forward to watching you make friends, giggle with your counselors and friends, learn new swimming strokes, play endless rounds of 4 square, dance and sing lots and lots! There is nothing like the fabulous chatter, energy and excitement that comes from the youngest of the girls areas at camp. Get ready for the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over Lake Potanipo at camp. The warmth of the summer sun is soon upon us! During the school year, I am a Wellness Coordinator and Latin teacher, and while I love what I do, I am ready for the energy and warm months of summer. I have been a Camp Tevya camper, counselor, and been on the Leadership Team for a combination of 16 years. Many years ago, when I was in college and a bunk counselor at Tevya, I was mostly found on the tennis courts and in the Olot area. Now it’s your time! Get ready for lots of fun and friendship this summer in the Olot area!!
Hi everyone! I am Ellen Martin Ades and this will be my 10th summer as the Olim Head Counselor. I love that I am now on staff with so many of my campers from my first year. I grew up at Camp Tevya, and so did my four children. During the off-season, you would find me in the Cohen Camps Office working part-time as the Staff Recruiting Assistant. My other part-time job is taking care of my grandson. (Another future Tevya camper is on the way, I will keep you all posted!) In my “free time”, I love to take long walks, riding at SoulCycle, and tucking at Pure Barre. I am so excited for another summer on Lake Potanipo with my summer family!
I am so excited to return to Camp Tevya for my fourth summer as Tsofot Head Counselor! As a child, I went to a Jewish day camp and then to Camp Pembroke for a few summers, followed by working at a local Jewish camp. My husband, Dave, grew up coming to Tevya and is excited to spend another summer here too! I have my master’s in education and was a 5th grade teacher in Newton, MA before becoming a full-time stay at home mom to our three children, Molly (11), Sam (9), and Ethan (6.5) and our 10-month-old puppy Winnie. For the past few years I have been working from home with a global health and wellness company, helping people to become their healthiest selves, which I love! Helping people and developing them to be their best selves is also something that I love about camp. There is such an amazing opportunity for everyone to grow and learn in the camp environment. It’s very special for me to be a part of that, and the memories that are created at Tevya. I also love reading, cooking, and playing tennis too! I look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces soon
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Hey Camp Tevya! I’m Etay, I am 25-years-old and I live in Petah Tiqwa, which is near Tel Aviv. I am so happy to be part of the Tevya family for my third summer. I was a Tel Chai counselor during my first summer and last year I was the Head of the Israeli Delegation and Head of Shira. I am really happy and excited to be here again at my summer home, this year as the Tsofim Head Counselor. I see this summer as a great opportunity to have a positive impact on our campers and counselors, and help everyone have a fun summer. I am looking forward to helping each camper grow as a person, learn about Israel, and enjoy camp as much as I do! After completing five years service as an officer in the IDF, I started to work during the year as a musician. After this summer, I will begin studying at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in Israel. Can’t wait to come home again and see you all!
Hey, I’m Ben and this will be my 21st summer at Camp Tevya. I started as a camper in 1998 and haven’t left yet! For the past seven summers, I have enjoyed serving as the Bogrim Head Counselor. I’ve had many other roles at camp during my time, but my favorite was teaching campers to wakeboard and waterski. Tevya is a special place for me as some of my closest friendships were born on the shores of Lake Potanipo. Memories of campfires, Color War, and late night bunk talks bring a smile to my face. As the Bogrim Head Counselor, I am excited to work with our team of counselors to provide our campers with the same opportunities to make memories, build friendships, and develop leadership skills. I hold two master’s degrees, one in clinical mental health counseling and a second in professional psychology. I am currently a doctoral student at William James College studying child and adolescent psychology. During the school year, I work as a clinician with Needham Youth and Family Services where I provide school-based and outpatient clinical services to teens in the Needham community. When I’m not working, I enjoy waterskiing, playing hockey, watching hockey, talking hockey, spending time outdoors, and everything camp! I am counting down the days until we return to our summer home!
Saturday night was our camper talent show. 
On Sunday, we welcomed camps Pembroke, Tel Noar, Ramah, Yavneh, and Young Judaea to our annual Tevya Volleyball Invitational tournament. 
Our first game day was with Camp Young Judaea.
A few hours after Birya and Tel Chai left, Kinneret and Tel Yehuda (our 9th graders) left for their annual trip to the Appalachian Mountain Club-Highland Center, where they also enjoyed an afternoon of hiking and field games, followed by an after-dinner campfire. 
With the Bogrim and Bogrot away on Tuesday, the rest of camp enjoyed a late wake up and an omelet breakfast with their counselors as their chefs. For the rest of the day, campers moved around to different camp activities including Arts and Crafts, Shira (singing), Rikud (dancing), and free swim.
It was wonderful to have everyone back in camp for regular activities on Thursday.
