Snow Covers Arizona Camp

By COLlive reporter

And they are back.

Close to 70 young Shluchim from around the United States and the world are meeting up once again for the annual winter Camp Gan Israel in Oracle, Arizona.

A project of The Shluchim Office, the camp was created to fill a void, allowing children of shluchim from far-flung communities to spend quality time with other children who share the same challenges.

A specially tailored program for ages 7-13 is meant to give them strength and spirit to return home invigorated.

This year the boys and girls camps will move to an alternating schedule.

Boys camps will be held during even years (2012, 2014, 2016) and the girls camps will be held during odd years (2013, 2015, 2017).

“This will allow us to focus on strengthening each program individually instead of dividing our attention across two divisions on separate campsites,” explained the Director Rabbi Moshe Pinson.

The boys camp has begun Monday, 4 Teves – Dec. 17, is being run this year by R’ Sholom Katz and Bentzion Shemtov. Head Counselors are Henoch Rosenfeld, Shmulik Greenberg and Avremi Wolf.

Here are reports of the first day days of camp:

Monday, Daled Teves

After a pleasant bus ride from Phoenix airport up to camp, the head counselors welcomed the campers and divided the bunks.

Time was then given to unpack and to get to know each other. Each camper learnt the names and hometown of each of his bunkmates.

After a delicious supper and a short night activity, it was time to head to bed. After all the hours of travelling this was eagerly welcomed. With the countdown finished the lights were turned off and 60 smiling campers dozed off, ready for their first full day of camp.

Tuesday – Hey Teves

“There are exactly 60 seconds for every camper to be lined up in front of the flag pole.” The first line-up of camp was truly Chayusdik, ending off with flag rising and Ad Mosai.

Sports followed lunch for most of the bunks, but bunk hey was lucky enough to go on the first trip of camp; caving. A few hours later they returned, a little muddy, but with smiles on their faces evidence to an experience enjoyed by all.

Throughout the day during learning classes the Shluchim heard many interesting stories and insights about Hey Teves. The day ended with a grand Seuda and Farbrengen leading into dancing and singing.

But like everything in camp this had its own unique twist. Each camper tied a balloon around their foot and dancing to the beat of the music, had to make sure no one popped their balloon.