Taste of Camp: Frogs, Floats & Fresh Crepes

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached Day 5 of Taste of Camp — time is flying, and the Tawonga magic is alive and well this session! Campers have steadily found their footing with each passing day, getting more comfortable with their surroundings and more bonded with their bunkmates. Together, they’re soaking up the fun through a wide variety of creative, adventurous, and meaningful activities.

At the lake, frog catching has become a favorite pastime, as campers excitedly (and gently!) discover little amphibian friends along the shoreline. Over at Arts & Crafts, campers have been getting seriously crafty — designing glowing night lights, sculpting whimsical clay figurines, and tie-dyeing shirts in every color of the rainbow. Our brand-new Garden Kitchen has quickly become one of the most popular places at Camp, where campers whipped up veggie sushi and sweet crepes — proudly preparing and enjoying the food they made themselves!

There’s also plenty of time to cool off with free swims in the pool, get active with sports like Gaga (Hebrew for dodgeball), and unwind with peaceful watercolor painting by the river. And by the end of today, all Taste campers will have laced up their hiking boots for a spirited and scenic day hike — full of great views and bonding

Speaking of bonding, a central aspect of the Tawonga experience is our bunk-centered approach, which shapes nearly every part of a camper’s day. Bunks are arranged by age, grade, and gender identity (typically within two grades of one another). 

Campers spend about 90% of their time with their bunk group — traveling together to activities, eating meals side by side, and sleeping in the same cabin. The goal of Tawonga isn’t activity expertise; it’s about building a strong, cooperative community. Each day, bunkmates make decisions together by consensus, take on rotating responsibilities like setting tables and sweeping the dining hall, and learn what it means to be a thoughtful, inclusive group.

Hobbes from B-7 said if he had to describe his bunk in three words, he would say “energetic, funny, and skillful” – love that for B-7! 

Campers also get to experience moments of independence. On Tuesday, we had Partner Floats, where campers explored activities with a buddy — encouraging connection, choice, and a little extra confidence for newer campers. And this afternoon is classic Floats. During this activity, campers get to “float” around Camp, choosing activities that spark their interest — like getting crafty at Arts and Crafts, swimming at the pool, boating, or a new favorite sport. These moments of freedom allow campers to experience Camp Tawonga in their own unique way and build confidence as they follow their curiosity. 

As Natalie D. in G-1 shared, “I love floats! I floated around on a boat, got to make friendship bracelets, and got to do all my favorite activities with my partner because they were hers too!”

Another highlight this week was a special BBQ dinner served by our amazing support staff. Campers enjoyed the delicious food and the festive, relaxed atmosphere — it was a huge hit and a perfect way to close out a big day of adventure and fun.

Other evenings have been equally memorable. At unit campfires, campers gathered under the stars to roast marshmallows, sing songs, share reflections, and simply enjoy the warmth of their community. 

Tonight will be particularly memorable for our final evening together this session; campers will get to experience a “stroll” where our songleaders pick up each bunk as they walk all throughout Camp, singing along the way. This emulates the experience of our Shabbat stroll, which we hope these campers will get to experience in the future at longer sessions. Following the stroll will be our festive and delicious final night banquet dinner – yum! 

With tomorrow being the last day of the session, campers are embracing each moment — whether it’s making crepes, catching frogs, or giggling with bunkmates in their cabins at night. We hope these wonderful campers keep the joy going back home – we can’t wait to welcome them back!

P.S. Quick timing update for Taste of Camp parents: you can look out for more photos on the Campanion app after dinner tonight!