Yesterday the temperatures were hot hot hot and camp was sizzling with fun! This lucky blogger had the chance to go up for the day and wanted to stay for a week!







I think the question is what didn't we do?!

Check back soon for more pictures and fun times from Camp Tawonga!

The first day of camp is always exciting and Sunday was no exception. Campers arrived at Tawonga ready and eager to start camp fun!


They spent the first night getting to know their bunkmates, counselors, and CITs with "get to know you" and name games followed by a tour of camp to help them settle in.


Looks like our youngest campers had lots of fun meeting their newest friends!

Parents of session one campers:
We started off our 2006 summer fabulously welcoming 220 adorable and enthusiastic campers to session 1. You've probably heard quite a bit already about how much fun your kids had at camp but here are a few highlights of the week.

We left on a beautiful sunny day which fit perfectly with our smiling campers’ eager attitudes. Many of them were first time campers ready to embark on a fantastic new adventure.

During the session, campers had the opportunity to make lanyards, tie die clothing, and beaded jewelry at arts and crafts, and participate in lots of sports including basketball, swimming, and archery.

Wednesday we celebrated Israel with Israel-Day Floats*. Our campers got into the theme by dressing in blue and white for breakfast. We turned Camp Tawonga’s lake into the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and learned about Israel’s water issues. Our archery area became an IDF (Israeli Defense) base, campers in arts and crafts made hamshas (hands which protect us from the “evil-eye”), the garden transformed into a kibbutz, and other campers made pita bread in the Freedom Forest (a fun place at camp for campfires and other events). Dinner was backwards day style where campers were served dessert first!
All and all it was a very successful Israeli day and our campers had a wonderful time.

* Floats are free time at camp where campers can visit any of the many staffed areas and stay as long as they choose.

Speaking of Israel Day, on June 4th Camp Tawonga staff in the Bay Area celebrated Israel Day at Yerba Buena Gardens. Staff members set up a booth where we distributed almost 2000 Camp Tawonga t-shirts!! Our executive director and board members gathered to meet camp families and those interested in signing up for camp.

Before kids arrive at our beautiful facilities, staff undergoes a one week intensive training to learn how to be super counselors.

This year we were fortunate enough to have eight Israeli teens with us taking part in the teen leadership program, seven of which were campers in the past 3 years.

We look forward to welcoming 18 Israeli teens who will join our campers in session four for an inside look into Israeli culture.

“You guys are all champs” said Noah Marsh counselor of B7 as his boys walked away dusty and happy from the gaga court. Noah attended Tawonga for 8 years as a camper and is a veteran second year counselor. His sentiments echo the message we try to impart to all of our campers, “you guys and gals are all champs!”

Our 2006 summer season got off to a great start with a wonderful first full day of camp on Monday. All the children sat still long enough for our photographer to capture their still clean faces in unit photos right after breakfast. Each camper will receive a copy of this unit photo in the fall. Then the fun began as campers went to their morning activities.

At Arts & Crafts they beaded, made head bands, created fimo sculptures and wove lanyards. Groups also went boating on the lake, played basketball, played games with the drama teacher and learned from Tama our Jewish educator. Happy voices filled the air as they sang with Gal and Marsha our song leaders! After lunch our pre-scheduled fire drill brought the entire community together on the ball field where we reviewed safety procedures.

Parents, post cards written by your children on Monday, should arrive around the time your boys and girls return from camp on Friday. In the meanwhile, we’re pleased to report that this is a fun loving, active and happy group of campers.

As I write this, I hear the cheers and shouts from the CITs (counselors in training) playing frizbee on the ball field. It has been a picture perfect day here at Camp Tawonga.

Deborah Newbrun
Executive Director

Yesterday morning, not a cloud in the sky appeared during the first gathering of Tawongans for 2006. Our small, hearty alumni group met the children and parents at the Presidio and helped answer questions, load luggage and direct people to the right place. The buses even
left 10 minutes early!

By now, the kids have had their first night up at camp. I'm always amazed at both how much the land up there changes, and yet always seems familiar. This year, we lost a few prominent trees to age and disease, but some new ones have been planted. The new deck on the arts and crafts building looks beautiful, and the river is dramatically full this year. I imagine it'll stay high until the fall.

-Steve Gershik (Alumni Association & Board Member)

Our spring family camp was a huge success welcoming over 66 families (more than 250 people!) including parents, grandparents, babies, toddlers, children, and teens.

Children spent each morning with their counselors participating in various activities, leaving the adults with their own time to do what they wished. Afternoons were spent all together as families going to floats. (Floats are free time at camp where families may visit any of the staffed areas and stay as long as they choose.) The evenings were packed with fun activities including a talent show and campfire.

We all had a wonderful time and look forward to doing it all over again in August for our summer family camp!