2nd Session Week 1!

Hi Gesher Families and Friends, 

Welcome back to our blog! Today, we're excited to share all about our first week of second session!

This week was filled with many firsts, new friends, lots of fun, and lasting memories. As the buses arrived a week ago, we immediately felt the ruach and excitement fill camp once again.

This week, we watched new campers find their place, returning campers reunite, and connections form throughout all of machaneh.

With an incredible first week behind us, here are some of the highlights that made it so memorable:

Programming Highlights

Special day/Yom Hike: On Thursday campers experienced a morning of adventure filled with obstacle courses, riddles, map making and even a bouncy house as they took on new adventures as Dora the Explorer. They then hopped on a bus and shared new cheers as they arrived at Bon Echo Provincial Park for a hike and sunshine at our favourite place: Clay Beach! Many footballs were tossed, clay masks were made and friendships were strengthened across Kvutzot. 

Bunk Night: Every Tuesday, our kvutzot enjoy one of camp's most beloved traditions, Bunk Night! Each group chooses a special spot around camp to share a classic dinner of hot dogs, fries, and veggies while spending quality time together. This week, the Ofarimot and Sayarimot headed to the dock, where they enjoyed dinner followed by a bonus sunset swim. Bunk Night is one of our favourite weekly traditions, giving campers the chance to slow down, strengthen friendships, and create lasting memories with their kvutzah.

Drag Night: On Monday night all of camp took part in Drag Night Tochnit Erev (evening program), each kvutzah was given a theme and they got to dress up a tzevet member and put on a performance for the rest of camp. It was one of the many moments this place gives to showcase the creativity, teamwork, and confidence of our chanichimot as they brought their ideas to life in a joyful camp-wide fashion show.

Our favourite moments

Sayarimot Bedtime: As Mazkirut, we often find ourselves missing having kids of our own, but we feel lucky to get quality time with each camper in each kvutzah. This week we got to help out our wonderful Tzevet (staff) with bed time. It is always special for us to help chanichimot wind down with their favourite stories or books and we love hearing about their exciting days, listening to the stories they are eager to share, and getting them ready for the next day ahead!

Bonimot Medurah on the Chof: This week we were approached by the Bonimot to help them facilitate a kvutzah bonfire on the chof. We love seeing our chanichimot come together to create something memorable for themselves. With very little help from us, they organized this activity and we enjoyed marshmallows, music and connecting with one another. 

Gesher Newspaper/Content: This session, Chug Content reimagined our historic Chug Iton (camp newspaper) in a fun and creative new way. Through this chug, our incredible Tzevet encouraged the chanichimot to think outside the box, share their ideas, and reflect on their camp experiences. Together, they learned how to turn their creativity into engaging media by writing articles, creating content, and telling the stories that make Gesher so special.

Camper Quotes of the Week

“I want to be here until I am 99 years old” - Sayarimot Camper

“When I grow up I hope I get to be on Mazkirut” - Ofarimot Camper

“I can’t wait to reunite with my Kvutzah in 20 years” - Madatz 

“I felt proud of myself for making new friends” - Megalimot Camper