8.11.2008
Tikkun Olam: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Way


8.05.2008
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Torah: A Saturday Night Meal
Everyone knows that
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
Yours,
The Blogger
8.01.2008
Garbage Day Never Looked so Good!!
7.31.2008
The best of both worlds!
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
Yours,
The Blogger
Only the strong
G-3 spent the afternoon on the lake, participating in Tawonga Survivor. Based on the hit reality TV show, the kids formed “tribes” and challenged themselves to work as a team on the lake (and cleared out a whole bunch of lily pads in the process). With the team flag, and a special chant, both tribes were motivated to be the best on the lake.
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.
7.30.2008
A Very Fairy Day!!!

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.
Untangling our Differences




7.29.2008
What’s on tap for the session: Rotations to the rescue
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
Yours,
The Shabblogger
Song leader Gal teaches the campers of Galil the hand motions to a chant during the music station of rotations.
Clearing the Way
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
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.
7.28.2008
Session 3: The Reviews are in... All camp play is a hit!
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!
7.21.2008
A visit to Israel
The campers of Hafia learn about different settlers of the
Shabbat Shalom, Camp Tawonga!
Campers clean up and get dressed in their favorite finery. My, everyone looks so nice!
7.18.2008
Rockin' the Ropes
All Camp Clean Up
7.17.2008
Stewards of the Forest
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.
The Rainbow Connection
It was all about rainbows here today, as G-1 celebrated Rainbow Day. Freshly body painted to the tune of ROY G. BIV, the girls wrote their own “Rainbow Anthem,” and serenaded all those around. They then headed down to the river for some more COLORFUL fun.
7.14.2008
We Welcome You to Camp Tawonga – Mighty Glad You’re Here Session 3!!!
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.
7.03.2008
Baruch Atah Sysco... Thanks for the grub!
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."
Firefighter Appreciation
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
7.01.2008
Dressing up for fun in the sun!
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!

6.27.2008
The British are coming… and Carmel is there to greet them.
“Cheerio, it’s tea time!” cry these

Nothing like a sporting game of Croquet to liven up a morning.
Campers design and create British flags and crafts next to the river.
6.26.2008
Ceramics: A wheel-y great time at A & C




6.25.2008
A "Jazzer-iffic" Day at Camp Tawonga!
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!
6.23.2008
Can a sequel be as good as the original? Session 2 says, “YES!!!”

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,
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.
6.20.2008
Closing Campfire
She is the music master, and comes from far away. Watch her play on her orchestra (instruments provided by the campers themselves)
6.19.2008
The Dining Hall: It’s a Jungle in There
Session I Israel Floats: A Taste of Milk and Honey
On Wednesday our very own Shlichim (Israeli staff members) turned the Moadone and its surrounding areas into a little slice of the
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.
6.18.2008
Session One... on its way to fun!
The first full day of camp means picture day here at
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!!!!
Welcome to the Sha-blog 2008
“We welcome you to
8.13.2007
Session 4 Shabbat: a very special time...


At Camp Tawonga, Shabbat is a special time of connection and reflection. Campers and staff share this connection by exchanging hugs and kind words.
On Saturday, campers eat breakfast and go to Makom Shalom, our beautiful natural amphitheater for Torah Service, Tawonga-style. Staff and campers join at the front to help with special parts of the service.
Each camper is welcomed to find their own way of celebrating Shabbat and Judaism while at Camp Tawonga.
A camper reading from our Torah service.Photography copyright 2007, QuadPhoto – New York City”
Camp Tawonga: where the fun happens!
Body painting in the Boys' Side Field
Helping out in the Camp Tawonga garden
Playing frisbee with friends on the Girls' Side Field
Archery!
Drama with Brady on the Firecircle stage
Swinging around with friends
Basking in the sun on Hershey Rock
Celebrating a birthday Tawonga-style before dessert
Dancing after dinner during Song Session in the Dining Hall
Ending the day with a cabin camp fire
Camp Tawonga gets a thumbs-up from these happy campers!Photography copyright 2007, QuadPhoto – New York City”
Artsy Craftsy
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:
Campers model their final product. Looking good!Photography copyright 2007, QuadPhoto – New York City”
8.08.2007
Our fantastic ropes course
Two campers about to conquer the wall
A leap of faith
3 Happy campers, after their adventures on the ropes!Photography Ó 2007, QuadPhoto – New York City”


















