At Camp Tawonga we are very thankful for the food that we eat. The unit of Haifa was so thankful in fact, that they threw a massive parade for the Sysco truck as it rolled into camp.

After two hours of preparing signs, costumes, cheers, and even a red carpet, Tawongans march along side the Sysco truck as it enters camp.



Here's our new friend Gennaro being given the "Royal Treatment." We dubbed him King Sysco and gave him a crown and scepter.



It turned out that this was Gennaro's first day on the job. What a welcome he got to camp! When Haifa's Unit Head, Noah, thanked him for being such a good sport he said, "No, thank you. I was having a rough day and this really cheered me up."

Yesterday the campers of Camp Tawonga took a moment out of their busy schedule to write thank you postcards to the fire fighters who have been helping fight the North Fire. Campers wrote heartfelt postcards to the men and women who have taken time away from their family to help save the surrounding forest and keep our community safe. Later during Green Floats, campers made and signed a giant thank you card from the entire camp.





Here a few of the post cards they wrote:

Dear firefighter,
Thank you for protecting Camp Tawonga from the fires in beautiful Yosemite. Thank you for fighting the fire to keep Yosemite beautiful and protected. I think you’re very brave to fight the fires. I am amazed that you would come away from your families and protect Tawonga and Yosemite.

Your biggest fan,
Roz



Dear Firefighters,
We at Camp Tawonga really, really appreciate your work to help save the forest and fight the fire. I really appreciate you taking time out of you daily lives to help protect us from the fire and fight it. I am so happy you are doing all that work to protect us and the forest.
Love,
Julia

At camp Tawonga we like to get dressed up for Shabbat wearing the nicest clothes that we have. On other days, we take a different approach to getting dressed up.

Here's the bunk of G-10 dressed up for a Pool Fashion Show.
There's no running at the pool! That's why this G-10er is engaged in a walk off!

G-3 celebrate after defeating the dragon of Gnarliness!

G-10 has a Gnarly day as well!

But it's hot out here, and no matter how we dress up, we all know how to cool down!

Today the unit of Carmel gathered by the banks of the Tuolumne River to welcome our brothers and sister from across the pond. Beginning with a brief lesson on English accent basics, followed by high tea and scones, and ending with a Beatles song session, the campers shed their Yankee ways and romped with their mates.

“Cheerio, it’s tea time!” cry these Carmel ladies. Pinkies up!

Nothing like a sporting game of Croquet to liven up a morning.

Campers design and create British flags and crafts next to the river.

When you think of arts and crafts projects at camp, friendship bracelets and lanyards might come to mind. However, our second session campers are definitely kicking it up a notch with the help of our great A & C staff. Check out these shots of B-4 and G-5, as they put the pedal to the metal, and make our wheels spin!!!

Today Camp Tawonga was taken over by a sea of spandex and neon colors as G-7, G-9, and the ITs Jazzercised their way through the day. First they learned some basic moves from their fearless Jazzercise leaders, learned a group Jazzercise routine, and then had the opportunity to break into groups and choreograph their own. The results were priceless.

Here is G-7 doing a Soul Train, looking on as two of their bunkmates dance down the line.


Even the counselors got in on the action!


G-9 and the ITs don't mess around when it comes to appropriate Jazzercise
attire- they really brought it this time!


All in all, a great aerobic time was had by all!

Session 2 has begun, and we couldn’t be more excited. Here are a few highlights from the first 24 hours!!!

Counselors line the road outside the dining hall and welcome the campers off the bus with songs and cheers.

Campers head off the buses and into main camp where they meet their counselors and cabin mates.

G-8 plays a name game during their opening tour of camp!!!

“Almost heaven, Camp Tawonga…” The first song session of every session starts with these four simple words, as campers link arms and sing along to Camp T’s own version of “County Roads.”

During the opening camp fire each bunk gets on stage to perform a short cheer. Here B-2 introduces themselves and shows off their agility.

A Camp Tawonga tradition, the closing campfire is the staff and camper’s chance to say goodbye and thank each other for the great times we had. Campers were entertained with some of our favorite skits and songs.

She is the music master, and comes from far away. Watch her play on her orchestra (instruments provided by the campers themselves)

Last night’s dinner was jungle theme. Campers were encouraged to deck themselves out in their favorite jungle attire, and the dining hall was lined with trees and vines. Check out these inhabitants of the Camp T Jungle.

On Wednesday our very own Shlichim (Israeli staff members) turned the Moadone and its surrounding areas into a little slice of the Holy Land. There were a number of activities to choose from, each teaching campers about the food, culture, and people of Israel. Whether it was visiting a kibbutz, training with the I.D.F., cooking pita bread on a fire or learning Israeli geography through the slip and slide, all of the campers enjoyed their visit to Eretz Yisrael.

Campers and staff celebrate completing the IDF obstacle course challenge.

Mmmm... pita-licious!!!

A visit to a kibbutz wouldn't be complete without trying your hand at milking a cow.

Opening campfire means everyone gets on stage to present their bunk cheer. The ninjas of B-9 were quick to use their ninja power to enthusiastically encourage the performers.

Session 1 campers get down and boogie, train style, during song session in the Dining Hall.

The first full day of camp means picture day here at Camp Tawonga. Here the unit of Eilat says, “cheeeese!!!!”

It didn’t take long for the girls of G-7 to get gnarly. During this block they learned to express their messy side through face paint, wet clay and mud!!!!

“We welcome you to Camp Tawonga! We’re mighty glad you’re here…” And with those words, our summer season began. Welcome to this summer’s installment of Sha-blog. Stay tuned to read about all of the exciting moments and memories being made at camp all summer long!

Shabbat is a very special time at camp in which campers celebrate Judaism through songs, dinner, conversation, dancing, and a beautiful Saturday Torah service. Shabbat begins on Friday at about 5pm when songleaders and staff stroll to all of the cabins and pick up excited campers who join in their singing and strolling.

Campers find thousands of different ways and places to have fun at Camp Tawonga. Our roving photographer caught campers in the act as she walked around the camp grounds. Please enjoy these pictures of campers enjoying themselves in various campy ways:

Campers at Tawonga love Arts and Crafts!

Campers can draw, paint, sculpt, create ceramics on potters' wheels, tie-dye, make shrinky-dinks and MUCH MUCH more! Here are some photos of campers enjoying arts and crafts: