7.31.2009
Table for 2
In fitting with their theme, “B-Aleph Garden: When you are here you are family!” B-Aleph invited their adopted big sisters in G-10b to dinner by the lake. The Italian inspired meal, including accordion, was a great success and many new friends were made!
Tisha B’Av at Camp Tawonga
On Wednesday night camp gathered for a short service commemorating Tisha B’av. The entire camp held hands and circled around the Torah, followed by campers and staff reading quotes about the holiday and traditional passages. It was an emotional and spiritual evening.
7.29.2009
Jazzercise!
A week at Camp Tawonga wouldn’t be complete without at least one bunk blasting The Pointer Sister’s I’m so Excited from the Dining Hall and getting a full body workout 80s style! Spandex is recommended, great attitude a must. Led by Unit Head Nora, the group learns a routine together, and then breaks into smaller groups to choreograph their own section of the dance. Through blood, sweat and spandex, this is one fun workout!
7.27.2009
Joining together in the Dining Hall
The campers are here, the tables are set, the food is ready… its time for the first meal of Session IV, 2009. After we teach the kids about appreciating the food that we have and the people that help to get it there, we sing the Motzi and hoppers get the food! It’s the perfect opening to what we know will be an AMAZING session!
G-Gimmel is all dressed up and ready for dinner!
Thumbs up for the food!
The always popular “make your own sandwich” tables.
Mimi quiets the Dining Hall to explain the table clearing process!
7.22.2009
Building bridges… literally
Our oldest campers in Chalutzim and Haifa participate in a program called Livnot, which literally means to build in Hebrew. The electives are designed to help campers build new skills over their three weeks at Camp. One group, however, took the concept of Livnot to another level. The Bridge Building Livnot has worked with two of our wilderness staff to actually build a temporary crossing over the river at Pipeline. They learned how to use tools, some basic engineering, knot making and how to work as a team. Check out their progress…
7.21.2009
Knots of Fun
Everyday at Camp Tawonga a different group is taken out on the Challenge Course to challenge themselves and learn to work as a team. Whether it is climbing up into the trees as part of our high elements, learning to trust your bunkmates during a trust fall or trust walk, or solving a problem as a group through a low ropes group challenge such as “Peanut Butter River” or “Electric Fence,” everyone at the ropes course agrees it is always “knots of fun!”
7.16.2009
Walk like an animal… Talk like an animal… Dress like an animal!
G-2 found their wild side this week, finding their inner animal as part of a theme morning. Whether it was a platypus, pig, kitten or polar bear the girls all took time to dress the part at A & C. Next they went for an exciting treasure hunt, using different clues around camp to find the “pink panther,” a new animal to Camp Tawonga that was hoping to make some friends and learn to fit in. And no animal block would be complete without some time with the real animals of camp at the Farm. Even after they morphed back into their human form, everyone agreed that living like an animal isn’t that bad!
Musicians Rock the Camp!
All of camp descended on boy’s side field, many with instruments in hand, to share in the sounds, sites and joy of music during Camp Tawonga’s own Concert in the Park! Campers signed up throughout the week to play, lip-sing or dance on the spot-lit concert stage. Groups huddled together to share popcorn and enjoy these performances. In this beautiful and festive environment the community was brought together by the sounds of music.
The M.C.s kick things off.
Jake works the spotlight.
The amazing music and acts continued into the night!
7.13.2009
Peace, Love and Tawonga
Yesterday we relived the 60s at Camp Tawonga with Tawonga Stock, our very own music and arts festival at the Moadone. Campers performed, bodies were painted, protest signs were made and the world was awash in tie-dye! Camp Tawonga was even graced with our very own Jimi Hendrix look a like! We weren’t on a field in upstate New York, but the feeling and passion of the late 60s was alive and well here at camp.
One act on the Tawonga Stock stage.
Body painting and flowers in our hair!
7.11.2009
Units Welcome in the Sabbath!
On Friday evening after Frelach, units meet in various locations to conduct their own Kabalat Shabbat service. Earlier in the week bunks learned about a prayer and discussed what it meant to them. At the service they introduce the prayer through songs, skits or other activities that they have created. For the campers these services are a time to experience spirituality as part of their small community
Galil enjoys the Kabalat Service at stone couch
G-3 introduces Leach Dodi
G-8a presents their prayer through song.
Open Air Frelach!
Every Friday night after Shabbat dinner Camp Tawonga gets together for a special song session and celebration of Shabbat. All week long campers learn new songs with Eric and Gal our song leaders in preparation for Shabbat. This week we added a new twist to an old tradition, taking the song session, or Frelach as it is known, to the boys’ side field. Whether it was dancing to Mayim or to the new Israeli favorite Zodiac, every one had a blast and danced in the day of rest.
Everyone dances the Zodiac!
Traditional Israeli folk dances like Mayim are a favorite
The boys of B-3 show off their dance moves to Ken Yahiratzon.
7.08.2009
Nothing Says Good Morning Like a Little Singing!
Every day after breakfast and dinner the community of Camp Tawonga takes a break from the hustle and bustle of camp to unite in song! Whether it’s Camp Tawonga classics like the “MTA Song” or “Country Roads,” or newer additions, such as “Heart of Mine” or “Tall Trees,” the music energizes us and keeps the beat to the world of Tawonga.
Our fearless Song Leaders.
G-1 and B-4 learn a new song!
Camp Tawonga “Rides the Camel” as part of a special dance!
7.06.2009
We welcome you to Camp Tawonga!
And we’re mighty glad you’re here! Session III is off and running, and we couldn’t be happier. Campers arrived yesterday afternoon with smiling faces and RUACH galore! After meeting their new bunks and playing name games, they embarked on a Chavarah hike, where they toured the many locations at camp. At the end of the hike they began preparations for their opening skit which they performed at last night’s camp fire.
Campers and staff agree, we are all psyched for Session III.
Smiling faces greet us off the bus
The moment has arrived… time to meet our new bunk!
Name games and Chavarah hikes
7.02.2009
A Truly Divine Dance and Carnival
Often we sing of Camp Tawonga being “Almost Heaven.” Last night the In-Training Participants made that a reality with their Heaven themed all camp carnival. After 2 weeks of planning and an afternoon of getting dressed up in the perfect “Heavenly” costumes, the ITs flung the doors of heaven (or the dining hall) open to all of camp. Whether it was through dancing, sundae making or game playing, everyone found a little slice of their own heaven.
Campers competed against Hercules himself in weight lifting games!
Lightning bolts face painting was all the rage!
Campers competed to find candy in the clouds!
Check out this godly god!
Even by the lake the jolly mood continued!
Tawonga's Got Talent
On Saturday night, following a special Shabbat service and program, campers gathered around the campfire by the stage to showcase their many talents. From gymnasts, to singers, stand up comics to simply standing up, the entire community cheered one another on as they performed their varying talents.
Following the talent show, campers and staffed celebrated Havdallah and closed out the first week, while looking ahead to the upcoming week.
Yesterday we relived the 60s at 
Galil enjoys the Kabalat Service at stone couch
