Camp YavnehCamp Yavneh
July 11, 2019

Kayitz 19 – Kerem Third Blog Update and Kerem Fundraiser Donation Link

Author - Camp Yavneh

Dear parents of our adopted children,

This week has been one for the books. Last week’s Achla Yom (Trip day) our (your) amazing children ran one of the best Kerem Karnivals that this generation of campers has even seen. With stations such as Shabbos Shootout and Sponge a Kerem, all of the lower campers had a blast and stayed cool in the sun with our plethora of water game activities. Many of our fellow counselors reported back to us that this was the best Karnival their campers had experienced. Just one day later we drove down to the local shop Demmons where locals gather each year on the Fourth for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Sadly, the locals were low in attendance this year, but we brought the patriotic spirit with our own singing, dancing, and Declaration reading. Later in the day we led the camp in our rowdy July 4th march throughout the camp followed by more dancing and singing.

Shabbos was great, but what happens at Yavneh on Shabbos, stays at Yavneh.

We welcomed in the new week with a nice session of Boundary Breakers where all the kiddos poured their hearts out to each other in an hour-long bonding session, growing closer as an ayda. We then lightened the mood with a dance party and a were joyously privileged with a rendition of Otis Redding’s Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay by none other than Wiliam Zarch. Bil realized his passion for singing and bought the camp a Karaoke machine.

Monday night the ayda split up and played a new twist of their favorite game Gladiator Dodgeball, while the other group competed in a fun variation of project runway where they were given camp-related categories which they had to use as inspiration for a model, their outfit, and his/her background.

Next, we went on the annual Kerem White Water Rafting trip. After our three-hour trek up to one of the most Northern-points of the country, we embarked on a 13-mile voyage down the Kennebec River. We passed over the Big Mama and Three Sisters rocks as well as the 12-foot drop dubbed Magic Falls. We parked our rafts at an incredible riverside outlook where we heard wedding stories from one of the guides, Billy. We spent our night away from camp lounging out at our campsite’s pool, hot tub and lake, before beginning a serene twilight bonfire. On our way back the kiddos grouped up by their respective bunks to brainstorm and plan an evening activity for their campers which they are running tonight. Exciting ideas include fort dodgeball, project runway, just dance and a music video competition.

Today Ravi is gone, and we are just scraping by, which is why this letter is only 480 words and not the required 500. I hope none of you are too disappointed.

B’ahava,

Seth, Jessica, and Tanner

 

PS – Don’t forget to support the Kerem Fundraiser for the Arc of Bristol County – Click here to donate!