Winter Camp Wraps in Florida

The flights poured in from across the country and excited boys of all ages hurried through the airport terminal to retrieve their baggage. Every child has his own individual story to tell about his hometown and school, but they all carry one common title and dedication: each one is a Shliach of the Rebbe.

And it is this life-mission that they have come to affirm and their devotion to it throughout the ten days of the Young Shluchim Winter Camp, now held on the beautiful new grounds of its Florida campsite. It is a wonderful opportunity for each young Shliach to spend quality time playing, farbrenging and getting to know his fellow Shluchim. Every day is used out to its fullest as the boys treasure this rare luxury in their life.

Fresh doughnuts met the kids as they settled in and this quickly put them in the ‘Chanukah mood’; a mood they needed to enter rapidly since a great surprise was pulling up for them. Whilst away from their own shlichus, but nonetheless always shluchim, the boys joined in the Menorah parade of Chabad of Boca Raton riding in their very own stretch limos, and then helping with Chanukah mivtzoim.

Once back on campgrounds, a plethora pf activities awaited them; there were juggling shows, rope climbing, pizza and so much more! And the list just goes on and on…

As the sun set on Friday, and Shabbos was ushered in, a special feeling settled upon the camp, it wasn’t just any Shabbos; it was Shabbos Hey Teves! And what better way is there, to spend Shabbos Hey Teves than being surrounded by fellow Shluchim?

To make it even more special, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Raichik, Shliach to West Boynton, FL, joined camp for Shabbos and shared many interesting stories and words of inspiration throughout his amazing Farbrengens.

A big thank you is due to all the Shluchim who gave of their time and effort to ensure the young Shluchim had a most memorable experience: Rabbi Moshe Denburg, Boca Raton, FL, Rabbi Yisroel Spalter, Weston, FL, Rabbi Mendy Rosenfeld, Lake Worth, FL Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Raichik, West Boynton, FL Rabbi Chaim Lipsker (Downtown – Brickel) and Rabbi Shmuli Gutnick. The campgrounds are directed by Rabbi Yossi Biston.

The grand trip was certainly a highlight. The day started off with a lavish breakfast and then it was on to 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 with words from Rabbi Chaim Lipsker. The day continued with laser tag, go karts, bowling and concluded with a delicious barbeque at Chabad of Boca Raton!

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. And of course, coming in especially from Los Angeles, CA, Rabbi Mendel Duchman’s speech to the young Shluchim still rings in their ears, as he encouraged and strengthened them in his own special way. We thank Rabbi Duchman for his constant care and concern for these young gems.

We all agree the campgrounds are in state-of-the-art conditions, the schedule is well thought out and the counselors are the very best, but every program needs the right architects to pull it all together. Herein lies the job of the directors and head counselors and they did indeed executed to perfection. On behalf of The Shluchim Office, the parents and all the campers we would like to extend a massive thank you and “Yasher Koach” to directors Rabbi Bentzion and Simi Shemtov and Rabbi Moshe Pinson; head counselors Berel Namdar, Zalman Groner and Leibel Hecht for their dedication, passion and Chassidisher outlook in making winter camp the biggest success it could have ever been, and all our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts to inspire this generation’s Young Shluchim.