Backpacks, Brushstrokes, and Bunk Bonds

As Session 4 hits its stride, Tawonga is buzzing with bunk bonding, joyful exploration, and the unmistakable hum of campers deep in the magic of summer. From archery bullseyes to Challenge Course triumphs, every day brings new opportunities to stretch, grow, and connect. Campers have been hiking out on epic backpacking trips, cheering each other on up in the trees, cuddling goats at the farm, and diving into specialty programs like Gnarly, where outdoor adventure meets creativity and grit. Meanwhile, the Teen Leadership Institute (TLI) continues to shine — with both of our teen cohorts modeling courage, kindness, and what it means to lead with heart, whether at Camp or on the road.

Between campfires and creek walks, bunk life is thriving — laughter echoing from cabin porches, whispered stories before bed, and spontaneous dance parties that break out just about anywhere. Whether they’re practicing mindfulness on the river rocks, conquering challenge by choice, or just reveling in a camp sunset, Tawonga campers are leaning into friendship, freedom, and fun with full hearts.

Tonight, all of Camp will gather together to celebrate Shabbat in community. The challah is baking in our ovens, the band is getting tuned up for freilach (our Friday evening song session), and the campers can’t wait for this special time to reflect, relax, and rejoice together!

Spotlight: Arts & Crafts — Where Imagination Runs Wild

One of the most beloved spots on camp? Without a doubt: Arts & Crafts. Nestled among the trees, A&C is a space where campers of all ages can unwind, explore their creativity, and try something new. This space fuels a core rung of our mission: building self esteem; campers come to A&C to express themselves fully and to have fun while doing it. With shelves full of supplies, rotating blocks led by passionate staff, and an open-door vibe, it’s a go-to destination for anyone looking to make, paint, stitch, sculpt — or just get a little messy in the name of fun.

Each day, the studio buzzes with activity as campers dive into an ever-changing lineup of blocks. It’s also consistently one of the most popular spots during Camper Floats — with kids streaming in to finish projects, start new ones, or just soak in the creative energy. They might find themselves sculpting miniature animals out of Sculpey clay, tie dyeing a shirt in every shade of sunset, or painting watercolor postcards to send home. “Anything But Brushes” invites campers to ditch the paintbrush entirely and experiment with pinecones, sponges, yarn, or even their toes! In mobile making, they carefully balance twigs, beads, and thread to create dangling works of art, while embroidery brings new life to old fabric with every careful stitch. Whether it’s a spontaneous collage or a carefully planned friendship bracelet, every creation is a celebration of self-expression.

And sometimes, the magic of A&C goes beyond the art itself. If you’re lucky, another bunk might even come to serenade you mid-project — like when G-8A, led by song leader Annabelle, burst into the studio with a joyful rendition of “Country Roads.” The whole space lit up with smiles and song, as crafters swayed along with paintbrushes in hand, proving once again that joy at Tawonga comes from the most unexpected — and delightful — places.

As one A&C staff member, Ella D, shared, “What I love most about working at A&C is the opportunity I’ve been given to share with campers the same love of creativity and self-expression that made my own Tawonga experience so special.”

Another A&C staff member, Leilah D, added, “I really like leading the Dream Home Architecture block because the kids get to be so creative. It’s one of the blocks where they can really use their imagination and let it go wild. One kid had an entire concrete venue in his backyard, another made a chicken coop — it was so funny and cute.”

Whether a camper walks away with a sculpture, a tie-dyed shirt, or just a little more confidence, A&C offers something lasting — a memory, a moment, a spark of pride.

From sparkles to sculpey, the spirit of creativity is alive and thriving at Tawonga — and every painted pinecone and embroidered patch is proof.