Hi everyone,

I have had the privilege of being up at Camp George this week, as I have done now for 17 consecutive summers.  I came up last Sunday and was amazed once again at how calm and beautiful it is up here.  This year we have had a few upgrades mainly around security with a full time on camp guard, better gates and a PA system throughout camp.  The other upgrade was to the water system which could not keep up year after year with the growth of George and this summer has been perfected.  In fact, one of my learning periods with the teenagers was to study a bit about the importance and value of water, in Judaism and in conservation in our world.  We had tons of water all around us but yet getting it out of the lake, treated and cleaned, and pumped all around camp is quite a feat.  Not only that but where does it go after its been used, our waste water doesn’t go to a treatment plant like in cities, it goes to large ponds off in the large forested area beyond the main camp where in naturally gets cleaned by bacteria over the course of a year and then gets released back clean back into the lake where it enters the cycle.  When we were up there learning about these ponds, we found a goose had gotten stuck near the pond, his legs were tangled in the roots and bullrushes.  We noticed him flapping his wings unable to get free.  We quickly found a large stick and tried to push him out, eventually we lifted him straight off the ground in the air until his legs popped free and he flew off to join his family, quite a moment for our group.

A typical day for camp is waking at 7:30 and standing at mifkad by 7:50 to sing the anthem, learn a Hebrew word of the day and do an exercise.  Then we head into breakfast and get our daily schedule of activities.  This morning we taught the word for mosquito which is “yatoosh” as in, “there’s a mosquito on yatoosh, better brush it away before it bites you”.  After breakfast the kids clean their cabins and then off to their activities.  Each unit does an educational activity twice a week and that is where we faculty help out.  I am one of 6 faculty, Jewish educators, Rabbis and Cantors from the various synagogues or day schools in Ontario, with occasionally some from Michigan, upstate NY and Quebec.  This week I’m joined by Rabbi Noam Katz from Leo Baeck day school, Lisa Baumel from Holy Blossom Temple, Steve Greenwood from Har Zion, Elana Paice-Lidsky from Paul Penna Jewish day school and Dora-Anne from Anshe Sholom in Hamilton.  We help run programs about Jewish values, Jewish literacy, and some are more project oriented for example building an art structure in honour of the Israeli hostages. As for the rest of the day we have some time to walk around and join the campers at their various activities like pottery, A&C, cooking, hockey, swim, ski, sail, paddle, ropes, campcraft, podcast, etc.  the weather has been excellent so I particularly love joining in the water activities.

After lunch twice a week I also sit with some campers who have their bar or bat mitzvah coming up, like Maeve Thomas, practicing her Torah portion. Often at night we head to the cabins of the youngest campers to do “lights out” meaning tell a story or something to help get them ready for bed.  I usually bring my guitar and sing some songs and prayers and ease them to sleep.  I would say the lights are out when I’m done but rarely are they actually sleeping but I try.  Sometimes I head over to our excellent infirmary (mirpa’ah) to check in on any kids who are not feeling well and sleeping there for the night if they have a fever or are contagious, typically there are always a few campers here.

Yesterday was Camp George Games – a 1 day Olympiad competition featuring 4 teams – blue, green, red and yellow/orange.  The theme was breakfast cereals as count chocula had stolen the spirit of camp and they had to fight to earn it back – frosted flakes, fruit loops, lucky charms and rice Krispies – engaging in sporting events, debates, song, dance and art, to declare a winner.  And this year it was…. The Green Team – Lucky Charms to victory.  They really were a “mean green fighting machine”.

Last night the whole camp went to bed early because they were exhausted from the Games.  Today we are in pre Shabbat mode meaning this afternoon the campers and staff all take time to clean the cabins, shower and put on their nicer cleaner clothes and we will have Shabbat services in our outdoor Beit Tefillah overlooking Maple Lake.  It might be one of favourite spots in the world to enjoy Shabbat.  I am very much looking forward to tonight and Cheryl is coming up as well to join in.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom. (here’s a few pictures from the past few days)