User:Rickyrab/UAHC and URJ Campcruft and Casual Observations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The purpose of this here is to serve as a repository for UAHC/URJ campcruft and folklore until such time as enough people deem such information as encyclopedic. Feel free to put additional campcruft and casual stuff here, so long as it doesn't violate someone's copyright.
Contents |
[edit] Kutz Camp
Home of the NFTY Leadership Academies for teenagers.
The URJ Kutz Camp, formerly the UAHC Kutz Camp, is a Jewish summer camp located in Warwick, NY and operated by the Union for Reform Judaism. Unlike other URJ camps, Kutz accepts only campers of high school age. Directly affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth, the camp is based on leadership development and Jewish education. In the 1990s, there was a program for autistic teenagers as well, run by campers at the NFTY Leadership Academy program (which took place in the same camp). The camp newspaper at the time was the "Min Hashamayim", and a color war took place each session. The main social centers were at that time, and probably still are, the Teyatron on the artificial lake and the Dining Room and basement of the main building. The main building's lounge was flanked by two rooms, Hillel and Shammai, named after the great Rabbis Hillel and Shammai.
Camp Kutz was founded in 1965 [1], on territory previously owned by Chock full o'Nuts (which the poem at [2] alludes to), and it was the location where NFTY held Leadership Institutes, Board Meetings, creativity programs, and Jewish study programs, which were combined into a "NFTY National Academy" (later the NFTY Leadership Academy) in 1972 [3]. Also hosted at Kutz during this time period was the NFTY National Torah Corps, a study program focusing on the Torah and Jewish study in general. Rabbi Eric Yoffie chaired the first National Youth Leadership Institute in 1965 [4]. Jewish folk singer Debbie Friedman attended a songleading workshop at Kutz in 1968 [5].
Before the 1970s, the main building had a boys' wing and a girls' wing. However, the boys' wing burned down in the 1970s, and the girls' wing survived, apparently into the early 21st century, only to be replaced with new housing on the same site. An office wing replaced the old boys' wing, and a series of five cabins, called the Hill Cabins, served as the residental replacement for that wing. (Since the 1990s, more Hill Cabins have been built.)
Shabbat evenings consisted (in the 1990s) of an introductory "buffet" before dinner, dinner (chicken soup and challah with some chicken dish and sides), a service (partly in Hebrew, partly in English, endowed with a theme, and composed by campers, set to music by guitar and perhaps piano) in the Teyatron (a wooden open-air theater with benches and a roof: the services faced away from the stage and towards the lake), and Israeli group dancing. There was also more break time for campers on Shabbat.
Between the mid-1990s and 2003, a swimming pool that was originally located near the dining room/ basement area of the main building was apparently leveled and replaced with a new pool across the road from the Hill Cabins. A new indoor theater and other structures were built in the area between the teachers' cabins (on the midslope of the Hill), the main building, and the Teyatron.
[edit] Camp George
URJ Camp George is one of 12 residential summer camps owned and operated by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Since its inaugural season in 1999, it has been providing an ideal setting for children completing grades 2-10 to grow and develop as members of the Jewish community. URJ camping is an integral part of what Jewish living is all about. Located just 2 hours north of Toronto in beautiful Parry Sound, Ontario, Camp George provides campers with an environment that blends the best of Ontario camping with the best of Reform Jewish camping.
[edit] Crane Lake
URJ Crane Lake Camp, or simply Crane Lake, is a camp associated with the Union for Reform Judaism and is often grouped with Eisner Camp as the Northeast Camp Institute.
Crane Lake serves as a URJ camp for children from around New England as well as New York.new
It is one of thirteen URJ camps in North America (URJ Kutz Camp, URJ Camp George, URJ Camp Harlam, URJ Camp Coleman, URJ Crane Lake Camp, URJ Camp Newman, URJ Camp Swig, URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), URJ Myron S. Goldman Union-Camp Institute (GUCI), URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, URJ Greene family Camp,and URJ Camp Kalsman). Crane Lake Camp promotes Judaism and is a enjoyable summer experience for campers ranging in age from 5 to 15, as well as the "Machon" program which allows 17 year olds to receive training and enjoy camp activities in the first session, and have the experience of being a counselor in the second session. Crane Lake Camp's biggest feature is its waterfront, which is a beautiful lake. There is also a beach, complete with a sundeck and volleyball net. Activities at the lake include but are not limited to: kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, water tubing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, surfing and canoeing. Campers spend either 2, 4, or 8 weeks living in recently refurnished bunks with other campers their age and gender. A new addition to CLC in 2007 will be the Klau Creative Arts Center and Messinger Beit Am, which will feature a large multi-purpose room, a new staff lounge and canteen and a beautiful new arts and crafts center with the newest supplies. It will all be air-conditioned. The director of Crane Lake is Herb May, and the assistant director is Brian Mitchell. They are both experienced in camping and popular amongst the campers. Crane Lake, commonly referred to by the campers as a "jock jew" camp, has an amazing extensive sports program. These sports include but are not limited to: soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and lacrosse. There is also an intensive sports program in which campers who choose to do so can sign up and spend 2 hours, 4 days a week improving their skills in either basketball, tennis, soccer or baseball/softball. This program is recommended for those campers interested in trying out for modified, junior varsity or varsity sports in the fall. The camp is split into 5 units. These units are Nitzanim, Bonim, Chaverim, Olim and the previously discussed Machon. Nitzanim is for campers ages up to 10, Bonim is for campers ages 11 and 12, Chaverim is for campers ages 13 and 14, Olim is for campers age 15, and Machon is for campers/counselors age 17. Campers are encouraged to go to Israel with their bunkmates the summer that they are age 16. Contrary to the belief of some, no one has ever died at Crane Lake Camp.
[edit] Camp Newman
URJ Camp Newman (formerly UAHC Camp Newman), or simply Newman, is a Union for Reform Judaism summer camp nestled in the hills of Santa Rosa, California. It is often associated with URJ Camp Swig as the collective 'Camp Newman-Swig' as nearby Camp Swig is now closed. Camp Newman runs many of the same sessions that Camp Swig ran for years. This Jewish camp serves youths from grades 2-12 with sessions lasting a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 8. It is an amazing community featuring daily t'fillah, song session, a pool a lake a petting zoo with one goat, three sheep, a few chickens and a couple of rabbits.
There is such a wide variety of things to do at Camp Newman, that it is nearly impossible to find yourself bored at any given time. During your time at camp, you can climb the alpine tower, paddleboat in the lake, do ceramics in the art room, play gaga on the field, and much more.
Camp Newman teaches its campers to celebrate Judaism through countless fun activities that double as Jewish learning experiences. Once a week, on Shabbat, camp slows down for a bit to welcome the Sabbath bride. Campers and staff alike dress in white or light colors and bring tons of Jewish spirit to the services, prayers, and singing and dancing that follow. Shabbat at Camp Newman is an amazing experience that is loved by all who participate.
Camp Newman's incredible staff and faculty tops it all off. Their fun, kind, welcoming nature gives campers a sense of comfort during their stay at camp. Councelors and CITs are always willing and eager to talk to campers, get to know them, and help them with any problems they might be having.
Overall, Camp Newman is an amazing place and an amazing experience that many, many reform Jewish kids and adults alike look forward to throughout the year.
[edit] Camp Swig
URJ Camp Swig (formerely UAHC Camp Swig), or simply Swig, is a Union for Reform Judaism summer camp located in Saratoga, California. It is often associated with URJ Camp Newman as the collective 'Camp Newman-Swig' with Newman being the newer camp run under the same leadership. For a time in the late 90s and early 2000s, Newman was used for the younger campers and Swig was being used by older campers with more focused interests (like art, music and leadership.). Since the summer of 2004, Swig has been closed altogether. The Reform Jewish community of Northern California faces obstacles both financially and geologically in renovating Camp Swig as it sits on a fault line in the Santa Cruz mountains. Known for its nearly 50-year history, tall redwood trees, beautiful artworks, and tremendous Holocaust memorial, Swig has a definite place in the consciousness of many Reform Jews of the region. Currently,the Camp Newman site approximately 125 miles away in Santa Rosa, CA is known as Camp Swig-Newman because of Swig's closure. Swig's closure has created a scarcity in summer camping activities for Reform Jewish youth in western states.
[edit] Greene Family Camp
URJ Greene Family Camp (GFC) is the Reform Jewish Summer camp that has been accepting Jewish campers from the Southwest (Texas and Oklahoma) region since 1976. It is sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). The camp is located on 160 acres (0.6 km²) in Bruceville, Texas, 144 km (90 miles) north of Austin, Texas.
Since 1978, GFC has been under the direction of Loui Dobin. GFC has a ropes course, a lake, an indoor gym, 2 pools, and a Gaga dome. The camp is a modern air-conditioned facility where campers typically attend three-week sessions. In addition to sports and traditional summer camp activities, GFC offers Jewish education, prayer services, events to teach Israeli culture and song sessions featuring Hebrew songs and dances.
GFC is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. During the non-summer months, the camp is rented by URJ synagogues or NFTY's Texas-Oklahoma regional youth, as well as a variety of outside groups, for day-long and week-long retreats.
Greene Family Camp is located on Smith Road in Bruceville, Texas. GFC is currently under the direction of Loui Dobin. GFC has a ropes course, a lake, an indoor gym, 2 pools and a Gaga dome. GFC is a modern air conditioned facility where campers typically attend month long sessions. In additon to sports and traditional summer camp activities GFC offers Jewish education, worship sessions, events to teach Israeli Culture and song sessions featuring hebrew songs and dances. Alumni of GFC include: Rachael Blumenthal Dobbs and Rachael Zacharias Barrow.
[edit] Units
Campers are divided into several units according to age and grade: Bonim (3rd-5th grade, 1 1/2 week sessions) Niviim (4th and 5th grades) Kohanim (6th and 7th grades) Melachim (8th and 9th grades) Kibbutz (10th grade) Avodah (12th grade, counselor-in-training program)
[edit] Typical Schedule
Wake up calls and lights out times vary based on units. After each unit is awake, they head to the Chadar Ochel (cafeteria) for "Tekkes Bokker", light exercises and the singing of Israeli and American anthems, followed by breakfast. After that, campers split up to morning activites which vary from tennis to scouting to digital photography. Older campers go to then go to their "Gadols" or "Majors" (which include basketball, video, cooking, and arts and crafts). Campers re-meet for a buffet-style lunch in the Chadar Ochel. Then they return to their cabins for an hour of "menucha" or "rest". They then head to one more activity. After this, there is an uninterrupted hour of all-camp free swim. Next, campers are given time to shower before returning to the Chadar Ochel for dinner. Dinner is followed by a participatory song session which mixes contemporary hits with Jewish favorites. When song session is finished, campers go to have an hour of free time before taking part in a unit wide activity (these range from pool parties to "Who's Your Counselor?"). Finally, campers go to T'fillah (nighttime services), and then have a quick bit of social time before lights out.
[edit] URJ Joseph Eisner Camp
Eisner Camp (formerly Joseph Eisner Camp Institue for Living Judaism) was founded in 1958 by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now known as the Union for Reform Judaism) to serve congregations in New England and New York State. The camp is located in Great Barrington, MA; in the heart of the Berkshire mountains.
The camp currently hosts campers ranging from day campers to entering tenth graders. The camp offers a wide range of typical camp activities from arts to sports, ropes courses to drama in a vibrant Jewish setting. The camp currently has a capacity of 800 staff and campers. It is set behind beautiful West Mountain on 680 acres (2.8 km²) filled with lucious greenery and stunning views.
It is one of thirteen URJ camps in North America (URJ Kutz Camp, URJ Camp George, URJ Camp Harlam, URJ Camp Coleman, URJ Crane Lake Camp, URJ Camp Newman, URJ Camp Swig, URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), URJ Myron S. Goldman Union-Camp Institute (GUCI), URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, URJ Greene family Camp,and URJ Camp Kalsman). Eisner Camp serves as a URJ camp for children from around New England as well as New York.
The staff is made up of a mixture of old campers as well as international and new staff members. In bunk staff (madrachim) are all Jewish college age students or Israeli deligates (mishlachat). Other staff members include college age men and women from around the world both Jewish and non-Jewish.
[edit] Over the Rafters
The camp song is "Over the Rafters", a song pieced together from quotes from plaques on an old barn that serves as the Tzofim unit's Bet Am (Hebrew for House of People.) Although the song appears to be nonsensical, it is actually an sentimental song about the camp. Despite this innocent tone, the song has coded references to activities banned at camp such as sex and raiding, a camp term for sneaking off to another bunk at night, usually a bunk of the opposite sex.
Each verse is followed by the chorus
"Have some hord'eurves/she said the night shift has already started/you lose your mind and you leave broken hearted/until next you you find it all still here/
Chorus: The midnight men move again don't know when/best friends forever in trouble again/here's to you here's to me/over the rafters and we're free/
Turn off the lights/the red hot lovers can't take the heat/creative b.s. was no more/was no less/look around/you're gonna miss what you've found
Three to one odds/ sometimes I wonder if they know what I mean/the loners, the lovers/hidden under the covers/in the end the truth escapes from them/
Bridge: Across the road to the dock/one more tick on my clock/the last goodbye (bum bum bum)/catch a tear from my eye/catch a tear from my eye/keep the hills/Alive alive alive alive (repeat until fade)"
It was written by a man named Ricky Shiffman, who was a camper and a counselor at Eisner for many years.
A song that might be considered to be reaching this status is "Summertime Forever" written by assistant director Matt Stamm. Every night the camp sings a song called "The Bedtime Sh'ma". The bittersweet tune is consistently done after evening program.
[edit] Camp units
- K'Tanim: "Little ones" (entering 2nd and 3rd grade)
- Bonim: "Builders" (entering 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade)
- Chalutzim "Pioneers" (entering 6th grade)
- Ofarim: "Deer" (entering 7th grade)
- Chaverim: "Friends" (entering 8th grade)
- Tzofim: "Scouts" (entering 9th grade)
- Olim: "those who go up" (entering 10th grade)
- Machon: "institute" (entering 12th grade, act as Counselor in training)
- the year between Olim and Machon campers can go on the L'Dor V'Dor program which is a NFTY trip to Israel
[edit] Sessions
There are two four week sessions, campers can stay for either the first session, the second session or they can stay both sessions. If your child stays both sessions, visiting day is during intersession. K'Tanim is only available in the second session of the summer and is broken up into two two-week sessions.
[edit] External link
[edit] Eisnerites- Put your name and a blurb here:
Nathaniel Elkins fell in love with the place.
I LOVE EISNER...AND I`VE NEVER EVEN BEEN THERE. -Janae French
Eisner is my life. I've been going since I was nine and I will be in olim this summer. It's a fantastic expirence, weather you are jewish or not. I live for it. Send your kids, and they will come back incesantly talking about it. It's a great expirence. Once in a life time. -Hillary Steinberg
ALEXA STONE LOVES AND MISSES EISNER SO MUCH!
[edit] Vandal edit under heading of "Newly revised And correct"
Eisner Camp (formerly home for homosexuality in New England) was founded in 1958 by the Union of American Homosexual Congregations (now known as the Union for Reform Homosexuality) to serve all the homosexual congregations in New England and New York State. The camp is located in Great Barrington, MA; in the erect falice of the Berkshire mountains.
The camp currently hosts homosexuals ranging from day campers to entering tenth grade homosexuals. The camp offers a wide range of homosexual camp activities from sodomy to rainbow crafts, anal courses to antiquing in a vibrant homosexual setting. The camp currently has a capacity of 800 openly gay staff and in the closet campers. It is set behind beautiful West Mountain on 680 acres (2.8 km²) filled with lucious gays and stunning lesbians.
It is one of thirteen URH camps in North America (URH Cock Sucking Camp, URH Camp Boy George, URH Camp Homo, URH Camp Oldmen, URH Cunt Lake Camp, URH Camp Gayman, URH Camp Jizz, URH Holy-Shit-Your-Gay Union Institute (HSYGUI), URH My Man Sucked Goldman Union-Camp Institute (MMSGUCI), URH Henry "Long Member" Jacobs Camp, URH Sodomize Me Cap'n family Camp,and URH Camp Taint). Eisner Camp serves as a URH camp for openly gay children from around New England as well as New York.
The staff is made up of a mixture of old homosexual campers as well as international and newly gay staff members. In bunk staff (Faggots) are all Homosexual college age Faggots or Lesbian deligates (Dykes). Other staff members include college age homosexual men and homosexual women from around the world both Gay and Lesbian.
[edit] Camp units
- Fashioneers: "Little Fags" (entering 2nd and 3rd grade)
- Boners: "Erections" (entering 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade)
- Maricon: "Queers" (entering 6th grade)
- Butt Pirates: "Fanny Bandits" (entering 7th grade)
- Cum Guzzlers: "Faggots" (entering 8th grade)
- Carpet Munchers: "Lesbians" (entering 9th grade)
- Dykes: "Vaginal Dwellers" (entering 10th grade)
- Softball Players: "Openly Homosexuals" (entering 12th grade, act as Counselor in training)
- the year between Olim and Machon campers can go on the L'Fag D'Bag program which is a FLDG trip to *San Fransisco
[edit] Sessions
There are two four week sessions, openly gay campers can stay for either the first session, the second session or they can stay both sessions. K'Homo is only available in the second session of the summer and is broken up into two two-week sessions.
[edit] External link
- Eisner Camp
- Second version: Eisner Camp
Note: the vandal apparently misremembered the website. A search of lemonparty.com on the Wayback Machine turned up an advertising site, even at the time. Perhaps the vandal was aiming for some gay site with a similar name, or was attempting linkspam.
[edit] Camp Coleman
URJ Camp Coleman, also known as Camp Coleman, is a Reform Judaism camp located in Cleveland, Georgia. It was created in 1964, and has since grown into a camp of approximately 700 staff and campers. It has been affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), since its birth.
[edit] Units
Camp Coleman currently has six units. Campers are placed in these units based on the grade level they are entering at the start of the next school year. The units are:
- Bonim (Builders) 3rd and 4th graders
- Kochavim (Stars) 5th and 6th graders
- Tzofim (Scouts) 7th graders
- Nachshonim (Leaders) 8th graders
- Kesher (Connection) 9th graders
- Chalutzim (Pioneers) 10th graders
While upcoming 11th graders are not able to attend Camp Coleman, they are encouraged to participate in the NFTY L'dor V'dor Exodus to Israel trip, on which the Coleman alumnus have the opportunity to travel together as a group. (The trip has been cancelled occasionally in recent years due to the rise of terrorism in Israel, and an American bus tour was put together to replace the Israel trip in 2003 to great success.)
[edit] Activities
A typical day for campers includes the following:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, and Dinner
- Nikayon (Cabin Cleanup)
- Swimming -- Pool or Lake activities
- Tarbut (Culture) -- Arts and Crafts, Jewish Cooking, Drama, Music, Video, Photography, Ceramics, Metals, and more
- Etgar (Challenge) -- Ropes Course, Israeli Scouts, Outdoor Activities, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing Wall, Hiking, Campscape, and more
- Jewish Learning -- Hebrew, History, Music, etc.
- Sports -- Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Ultimate, Tennis, Roller Hockey, Soccer, Archery, Self-Defense, and more
- An evening activity that varies by unit and by day.
[edit] Facilities
In addition to the cabins, Camp Coleman's facilities include 4 spacious recreation centers, an athletic complex, tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a large swimming pool, a lake, a playground, 5 shelters for smaller group activities, high and low ropes courses, faculty hotel, staff lounge and much, much more.
The new Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) seats 700. All of Camp Coleman eats together in this spacious and air-conditioned building. It's full-service kitchen is named in honor of Ms. Nellie Ward, who has loyally served the Camp Coleman community for more than 20 years.
Camp Coleman has a brand new state-of-the-art Mirpa'ah (Health Center). This facility is a fully operational clinic. The Mirpa'ah has a check-in area, 2 semi-private examining areas, 1 private examining room, 7 private over-night rooms and spacious, private Nursing quarters (adjacent to the Mirpa'ah).
Orignally, the Camp was built in the early 1960's with rabbinical staff and their families helping out. The winding and comically 'trecherous' stairs built from rocks outside what was, originally, the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall), were built by Rabbi Maurice Davis's (also known as Mo Dean) two sons, Rabbi JayR (Bahir) Davis and Rabbi Michael Davis. The camp swimming pool was installed in 1992 and until then the campers swam in Lake Shalom.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Crane Lake Camp
URJ Crane Lake Camp, or simply Crane Lake, primarily serves children from around New England and New York. Crane Lake and Eisner Camp comprise the Northeast Camp Institute.
Crane Lake Camp's biggest feature is its lake waterfront and associted water- and beach-sports. A new creative arts center will open in 2007. There is also an intensive sports-camp option. An Israel trip is available for campers age 16.
[edit] Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, or simply OSRUI, is a Union for Reform Judaism summer camp located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It was the first summer camp for Reform Judaism in the United States when founded in 1951 by the URJ (which was then known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). Several other URJ Camps have since been established, but OSRUI hasn't strayed far from its original goal: to provide youngsters with a summer full of fun activities and new friends while leaving them with a reinvigorated sense of Jewish identity.
OSRUI (then called simply Union Institute) began life on a relatively small plot of land just off the shore of a small lake: Lac La Belle (also the name of a villiage contained in Oconomowoc and Ixonia). The land had previously been home to a Boy Scouts of America camp. Today, OSRUI continues to thrive in its original location (roughly halfway between Madison, WI and Milwaukee on US 94). Although the camp remains on the same land upon which it was founded, it has since expanded considerably further outward. Today, OSRUI is tens of times as expansive as it originally was.
[edit] The Units
OSRUI camp is divided into two primary regions: "upstairs" and "downstairs". The upstairs summer camp units (eidot) include Kallah, Gesher, Chalutzim, and Tiferet, while downstairs is home to Tzofim and Moshavah. "Upstairs" units live in cabins, while "downstairs" units live in army tents. There are also two itinerant units: Tour l'agam and OSRUI in Israel.
There are some commonalities that hold true across the units. For instance, each unit...
- Eats meals three times a day, every day.
- Holds services of group prayer (t'fillot) twice a day
- Is joined by faculty and/or Jewish Educational Professionals for the duration of the session
- Engages in various kinds of Jewish and Hebrew study
- Participates regularly in sports and/or swimming activities
That said, the units are widely disparate in theme, camper age, length of session, and living arrangements, to name a few dimensions. What follows is a description of each unit.
[edit] Machaneh Kallah
Kallah is the most basic unit (eidah) and is located upstairs. Younger first-time campers almost always start out in Kallah. Camp brochures often proclaim, "It's what you think of when you think about camp." Campers live in cabins (tzrifim), and experience highly structured days filled to the brim with sports, swimming, singing, special interest groups (chugim), singing, and even horseback riding (if they so desire). Daily Hebrew (ivrit) and study (limud) sessions are also the norm. There are two Kallah session during the summer: Kallah Aleph, which is for kids in grades 3-6, and Kallah Bet, which is for those in grades 4-7. Both are two weeks long.
[edit] Kibbutz HaTzofim
Tzofim campers are closest in age to those in Kallah, but enjoy an altogether different experience. Tzofim is located downstairs, and campers are housed in tents (ohelim). Tzofim campers are exposed to the full range of activities mentioned above, but also have unique responsibilities within their own community. For instance, campers tend to their own garden (gan) and care for animals such as goats, sheep, and chickens in the refet. Campers also assume some of the responsibility for the operation of the unit, helping to prepare meals and clean up afterward. Tzofim also hosts Oconomostock, a camp-wide talent show whose perennial popularity and intrigue are reflected by the secrecy of its theme, which is never revealed until the night of the show. Campers must promise not to divulge any "sensitive" information concerning theme and plot, and "false themes" are even created to throw off nosy campers (and staff). Unsurprisingly, slightly older, more independent children tend to do better in Tzofim. There are three sessions: Tzofim Aleph, Tzofim Bet and Tzofim Gimmel . The first two are each two weeks long; the last is four weeks long. All sessions are for campers entering the fourth through the seventh grades.
[edit] Gesher
Gesher is OSRUI's newest unit, replacing the now-defunct Bonim, which was itself made a replacement for both Maccabiah and Chavurah in the summer of 2003. Campers occupy the cabins that the kallah campers have recently vacated; the unit is located upstairs. Gesher campers are of junior high age, and therefore enjoy more programming flexibility and choice than campers in Kallah and Tzofim. Each camper is allowed to choose two electives--examples include sports, drama, swing choir, nature, and sailing. Some electives, such as sports, can count as both electives if the camper chooses. Campers generally switch electives mid-session, but are not required to; some electives, such as GuardStart, the Red Cross' introductory lifeguarding program, are four weeks long. Gesher campers are also responsible for planning programs in small groups. Some are strictly for the unit: services, evening programs (tochniyot erev), and the like, whereas others, most notably the Color Wars (now christened the "All-Camp Color Challenge Games") involve the entire camp. Gesher campers, furthermore, are in charge of a "camper council", a group of delegates from the various units that comes together to discuss issues of mutual interest. Finally, Gesher campers participate in a weekly field trip that involve such activities as canoeing, rock climbing, professional baseball games, and tikkun olam (repairing the world). There is one session of Gesher, and it is four weeks long. Campers are entering the seventh through the ninth grades.
[edit] Tiferet
Tiferet is an upstairs unit dedicated to the arts (omanut). There are two sessions of Tiferet: "workshop", which is for middle school age campers (6-8 grade), and "studio", for high school age campers (8-10 grade). They are each four weeks long. Campers select one of four art programs (studios) to participate in: visual art, music, dance, or drama. Besides spending several hours a day in their respective studios, campers participate in the other camp activities, although generally in a more limited capacity. At the end of the studio session, campers' families are invited to an art exhibition and recital at the camp. Tiferet is consistently one of the smallest units in camp, although they exert their spirit (ruach) with the same energy as any other.
[edit] Moshavat HaTeva
Moshavah (Mosh for short) is a downstairs unit along with Tzofim. Campers in Mosh live in tents (ohelim). The highlight of a summer spentin Mosh is the opportunity to go on multiple-day outdoors trips (tiyulim). Campers in the first four weeks of the summer (Mosh Aleph) go on three three-day tiyulim, while the campers in the last four weeks (Mosh Bet) go on two five-day tiyulim. Mosh trips vary from canoeing on the Mecan, Wisconsin, or Mississippi Rivers and sleeping on sandbars; biking 90 or more miles through the state of Wisconsin; rock climbing and hiking at Devil's Lake state park; or backpacking on glacial land formations. Each tiyul presents unique challenges that promote community building in a way different from that of any other unit (eidah) at camp. Moshavah is a very demanding experience, perfect for those who have a love of nature (teva) and a great spirit of adventure. Mosh Aleph is open for campers entering eighth grade and older, while Mosh Bet is open for campers entering ninth grade and older.
[edit] Chalutzim
Chalutzim is a seven week Hebrew immersion program. This unit is designed for high schoolers going into at least the tenth grade. Chalutzim campers live and learn in a dynamic and unique intensive Hebrew-speaking environment. They have the opportunity explore their connection with the land and language of the Jewish people. Most of the counselors in the unit are Israeli, brought in for the summer to work with the campers.
Chalutzim campers live and learn in a dynamic and unique intensive Hebrew-speaking environment. They have the opportunity explore their connection with the land and language of the Jewish people. Most of the counselors in the unit are Israeli, brought in for the summer to work with the campers.
Entrance Examination and Recommendations: The Chalutzim program is a total immersion Hebrew program accredited by the Chicago Community Foundation for Jewish Education. In one summer, campers typically achieve the equivalent of an entire semester of public high school language ability. Applicants must have completed at least four years of Hebrew school. After registration, applicants must pass an entrance examination. A study guide and test information will be mailed with your confirmation letter. Applicants must also submit recommendations from their rabbi and their high school counselor.
[edit] Shabbat at OSRUI
Shabbat at OSRUI consists of an all camp dinner, Shabbat Shira, and Israeli Dancing. Sabbat Shira an all-camp song session. Songleaders gather in the middle of a large circle with campers and staff sitting on the floor in the round. The song session lasts about an hour, which typically includes about 25 songs as well as a brief story telling.
[edit] Year-Round Programming
[edit] Hava Nashira
Hava Nashira is the annual Jewish songleading workshop held every spring at OSRUI. The workshop is open to URJ camp songleaders as well as to synagogue music specialists and all those with a serious interest in Jewish songleading and music. Hava Nashira draws the best of modern Jewish musicians to lead specialty tracks, such as: Debbie Friedman, Craig Taubman, and Dan Nichols. Examples of creative tracks offered in previous years: "URJ Camp Songleading" by Dan Nichols and Rosalie Will Boxt, "Repertoire Renewal" by Debbie Friedman, and "Music for Young Children and Families" by Peter and Ellen Allard. Participants of Hava Nashira also are able to enjoy spending a Shabbat at camp before the summer camp season formally begins.
[edit] Reverted edit on account of "no source", as well as "this isn't a countdown"
Insert non-formatted text here== Staff and Faculty ==
Top 5 Highest Rated Counselors
5. Seth Freeman 4. Caren Gandelman 3. David M. Dreyfus 2. Marty Gandelman 1. Andrew Mann
Honorable Mention: Zev Frank
