Everyone knows that Camp Tawonga serves amazing chicken dinners for their Friday night Shabbat dinner. But I was wondering, what happens the next night? Its still Shabbat, is there anything special for dinner? What separates Saturday night dinner from the rest of the week?

Yours,

Gastronomical Guesser

Dear Gastronomical Guesser,

You were right on!!! Saturday night is a special night here at camp. After participating in the Torah Service in the morning, and our great Shabbat programming in the afternoon, there is only one way to close out such a fabulous day… Barbeque!!! One of our most popular meals, campers get to choose between hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, while piling their plates with watermelon, rice crispy treats, macaroni salad and chips. And all campers would agree that the Shabbat BBQ is extra special since it is the one meal during which they can enjoy soda!!! So check out these photos of Chalutzim and Haifa at their “Q”, and get ready to salivate over our very special Shabbat BBQ!

Yours,

The Blogger

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 9:15 AM 0 comments

I sent my son to Tawonga Sports, that great session where kids get to learn and play a variety of different sports, while still getting the complete Tawonga experience. He was so excited to get on the bus. But now, I am worried. Will my sporty son overheat? Will he get exhausted with all those runs around the baseball diamond? What ever shall I do?

Yours,
Dad of Sporty Son

Dear Dad of Sporty Son,

While your son is getting an amazing experience and learning sports and teamwork skills, he also has a well rounded Camp T schedule. Each morning, Tawonga Sports’ campers participate in two blocks dedicated to a specific sport. But in the afternoon, all the camp is theirs. If you don’t believe me, check out these great photos of them making pots at Arts and Crafts.

Yours,

The Blogger

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 10:35 AM 0 comments

In the end, every one had fun, and as of yet, no one had to leave the island…

G-3 learns the rules of the game.

The campers prepare for the boats.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 10:19 AM 0 comments

Every time a baby laughs, or a flower opens on a warm spring morning, a fairy is born! So keep your eyes and imagination open, look for sparkling fairy dust in the river, and remember that fairies are drawn in by the sounds of children’s laughter!

Today the girls of G-Gimmel dressed up as fairies (so they wouldn’t scare any they might have come across), gave themselves and each other fairy names, and went in search of the magic creatures of the forest! Songs were sung, stories were told, fairy homes were found and built and smiles were shared by all!

G-Gimmel worked as a team to make giant fairy braids to attract the fairies to Lady Bug Cove.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 3:40 PM 0 comments

Dear Shabblogger,

It is my camper's first year at camp. How will they ever know what activities are offered so they can help to design their bunk’s schedule?

Yours,

Scheduling Slueth

Dear Scheduling Slueth,

Here at camp we think it is SO important for campers to help design their own bunk’s schedule. If they have special interests or games they enjoy, it is important they tell their counselors so that it can be included in the group’s experience. One way they can learn about all of the things the different departments of camp have to offer is by participating in “rotations” the first day of each session. Counselors and campers take a tour of camp during which they see presentations by various departments: Jewish and Israeli programmers, the lifeguards, Arts and Crafts, and musicians. Later in the day they attend cabin floats when they are given time to try these various activities and play games.

So, Mr. Slueth, by the end of the day today your child will be a master of the different exciting activities offered here at Camp Tawonga.

Yours,

The Shabblogger

Song leader Gal teaches the campers of Galil the hand motions to a chant during the music station of rotations.

Carmel campers learn what the pool has to offer during the waterfront rotation.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 10:06 AM 0 comments

Dear Shablogger,

It is impossible to get my kids to do chores at home. They hate to take out the garbage, walk the dog, but more than anything, I can never get them to clear the table. How do you get the kids to clear so many tables, so fast?

Yours,

Dirty Dining Room

Dear Dirty Dining Room,

We do a little thing here at camp called stacking and scraping. Every table piles all of their food waste onto one plate (once a day we weigh this plate, to see as a camp how much we are wasting and work to improve it). Then the “hoppers” carry all of the dishes to the front of the room, where they are separated and given to the kitchen staff. Just ask any Camp T camper, and they will be able to tell you, “Leftovers on the left, metal in the middle and everything else… right over here!”

So in conclusion, by making it fun and encouraging kids to work as a group, cleaning can get done with no hassle at all.

Yours,

The Shablogger

After just one day the girls of G-Gimmil are already old pros at the stack and scrape method.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 9:58 AM 0 comments

As you can see what Makom Shalom (where we usually do our Torah service) was transformed into an amazing set! There was singing...


And dancing...


The performers did an amazing job! Take a bow!

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 2:05 PM 0 comments

The campers of Hafia learn about different settlers of the Negev: the Bedouin, and the Kibbutzniks.

Carmel campers visit a café in Tel Aviv where they hear a radio broadcast from a Macabia Tel Aviv championship game and watch a video clip of a protest in the city.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 12:51 PM 0 comments

Campers clean up and get dressed in their favorite finery. My, everyone looks so nice!

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 11:53 AM 0 comments

An important part of every campers experience is our Tikkun Tawonga program. Campers participate in a number of different work projects that teach how all types of work are important in creating a community and that we all can play an active role in making our community and world a better place.

Today B-10A had a chance to participate in our Forestry Tikkun. The bunk began by learning about the impact humans have had on the forest in this area, and then discussed the responsibility we have in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. Campers then broke into 4 work groups and with the guidance of our Forest Stewards began to cut trees, thinning the forest as a natural fire would.

Through their hard work the campers helped to create a safer forest.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 1:32 PM 0 comments

Session 3 is already in full swing!

The campers were greeted and serenaded by the 2008 Tawonga Staff as they got off the busses. Once all of the campers had divided by gender, they were split into bunks.

Counselors played a name game, put away their things, and immediately started work on a bunk cheer for the opening campfire.

Old friends were excited to be at camp with each other again.

At the opening campfire, each child has a chance to introduce themselves during a bunk cheer.

The staff is already up to the task of entertaining the campers. A rubber chicken is always funny. Always.

Each bunk’s schedule was created for the first week. Campers can look forward to all of their old favorites: Arts and Crafts, Ga-ga, Pool Activities,

Getting Gnarly, Archery, Drama, Basketball, River Trips, Tawonga Ball,

Stage Combat, Israeli Dancing and and more.

Song Sessions filled with singing and dancing.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 10:11 AM 0 comments

“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.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 4:51 PM 0 comments

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.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 4:33 PM 0 comments

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

G-5 presents a dance groove they choreographed themselves earlier in the session.



"Whether in fair or in dark stormy weather, it's Camp Tawonga to keep us together."

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 1:06 PM 0 comments

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.

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 3:42 PM 0 comments

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

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 2:31 PM 0 comments

“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!

// posted by The Camp Tawonga Staff @ 2:24 PM 0 comments