Teen Girls Camp Travels Africa

A group of 20 young women from four countries recently completed a memorable 4 week traveling camp experience in South Africa.

In addition to taking in some of the most beautiful sights in the world, the girls benefited from visiting and learning from numerous Shluchim along the way, as well as teaching and influencing others as counselors in Johannesburg’s Camp Gan Yisrael day camp.

The girls came together from America, England Israel and South Africa to enjoy some of the most stunning sights and sounds nature has to offer, from the merging of the oceans at Cape Point, to the penguins at Boulder’s Beach; from hiking Lion’s Head, to sand boarding the Atlantis dunes.

“In between trips, we were inspired by the mesiras nefesh, farbrengens and stories of local Shluchim,” said head counselor, Chava Davidoff, who led the camp along with Chava Tiefenbrun, Chaya Junik and Esther Rimler. “It added a relatable, meaningful dimension to our experience that still has girls talking.”

The girl’s turned that inspiration to action during camp by serving as counselors in Camp Gan Yisrael, a day camp for the Johannesburg Jewish community which attracts children of all backgrounds and affiliations.

“It felt great to give back to the community which had welcomed us so warmly,” said Tzivie Rabin.

The girls’ South African experience included a Kruger National Park Safari trip where they saw 6 of the magnificent 7, surfing, boating and boot-camp at Gan Yisrael South Africa’s overnight campus on the South Coast, and tours of Soweto, the Lion and Rhino Park and Gold Reef City. They were also treated to a private show by master illusionist Ilan Smith.

The South Africa Travelling Camp is directed by Rabbi Pini and Rochie Pink under the auspices of Chabad House of Johannesburg.