The boys session of the Tzeirei Hashluchim Winter Camp by the Shluchim Office concluded after 10 days of fun, learning, friends, Chassidishkeit, along with lots of Florida sunshine.
“My son had a great time,” wrote one Shlucha. “He could not stop talking about color war and the play and the grand trip and learning class with his cousin and the food. and on and on. [Sic] Thank you so much for all of the hard work and planning that went into this amazing program that gives our sons chayus for the whole year.”
This was just one comment from a happy parent, whose child just returned from the Young Shluchim Winter Camp, held on the beautiful grounds of it’s campsite in Lake Worth, Florida.
Flying and driving from around the country and the world, excited boys arrived in camp ready to drink in the warmth and inspiration of the coming 10 days.
The excitement started right away with learning, davening, delicious meals, exciting sports, activities, and swimming. Each day brought new surprises, with highlights such as an elaborate on-grounds ropes course and zip-line, game of capture the flag and human stratego, paperclip hunt, popcorn challenge, escape from Russia, late nights and runaways.
Excitement filled the air on Tuesday, as the boys boarded buses for the first time to a surprise destination. In the true spirit of the camp’s unique locale, the campers had a blast touring the everglades in air-boats. A grand BBQ and Farbrengen topped off the day at Chabad of Boca Raton with Rabbi Moshe Denburg.
The next evening, camp marked the auspicious day of Yud Shevat with a special program and Farbrengen with Rabbi Shlomo Uminer.
Erev Shabbos, the day of Yud Shevat, the campers all wrote a pan to the Rebbe and participated in a special Rally. Special guest Shliach Rabbi Yossi Serebryanski spoke to the campers and explained the concept of Basi Legani in a children-friendly way.
An inspiring and lebedike Shabbos followed, with the traditional “Shabbos Competition”, Davening and Farbregens. A special highlight was the selling of Aliyos, where campers were able to pledge various Hachlatos to be completed in time for Yud Alef Nissan – the Rebbe’s birthday.
With Motzai Shabbos came an action packed evening, beginning with a beautiful bonfire complete with camp songs, stories and marsh-mellows. Continuing on from there, the campers had the opportunity to make their own Havdala candles in a special workshop by Florida’s own Rabbi Shmuly Gutnick. Following a delicious pizza Melava Malka, and when the campers thought the excitement couldn’t get any more, Shlichus War began.
For the remainder of the night, and throughout the day on Sunday, the campers and staff brought out two different aspects of Shlichus through learning, skits, songs, plays, and capped by a beautiful Grand Sing.
The grand trip, which followed the next day, was certainly a highlight. First a lavish breakfast was served and then onto the buses for the first stop: jet boating! Two boats were waiting to take the kids on a thrilling high speed water-adventure. A delicious pizza lunch followed at Chabad of Downtown Miami. The day continued with laser tag, roller skating, and a magnificent ropes course challenge, a delicious BBQ at Chabad of Boca Raton, and one final stop at bowling to cap of an enormous day.
Tuesday marked the last day of camp, as the campers all gathered to hear about the upcoming day of Chof Bais Shevat, and write a Duch to the Rebbe along with a Hachlata. The campers began to packed their things, and prepared to partake in the Grand Banquet.
A delicious Chinese dinner awaited them, prepared masterfully by the camp chef Rabbi Nissen Pewzner, and a program including a video of the Rebbe, Nigunim, and an address by several fellow Young Shuchim. Joining the Young Shluchim all the way from Los Angeles was Rabbi Mendel Duchman with words of inspiration and encouragement. The evening ended with dancing, awards, and a slideshow with a flashback of the past 10 days.
Though the banquet marked the official end of camp, the lessons, camaraderie and chayus will certainly remain with the kids throughout the year and well beyond.
The Young Shluchim Camp is a department of Chinuch Yaldei Hashluchim, a division of The Shluchim Office. Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, of OK Kosher Certification, is the main sponsor of this worthy cause.
Wow looks like you really had a tight schedule and a packed schedule the main thing is you all had a good time and that’s the most important thing