Celebrating Earth Day, Tawonga Style!

This week has been filled with adventure, connection and plenty of Tawonga magic. 

From cheering each other on at the Challenge Course to splashing into free swim, campers and teens have embraced every opportunity to explore and grow. Across Camp, units gathered for Jewish programming (the theme this year is awe and wonder!), sang their hearts out at song session, and dove into Livnot, our elective program where campers choose activities that spark their curiosity and creativity.

That spirit of exploration was especially present on Tuesday as we celebrated one of our favorite Tawonga traditions: Earth Day.

While Earth Day is typically celebrated in April, each session we dedicate a special day to honoring the natural world that surrounds us. Nestled among towering pines and granite peaks, Camp is the perfect place to deepen our appreciation for the earth and our responsibility to care for it.

“I like to say that every day is Earth Day at Camp Tawonga,” said Jo A., Teva specialist and farm hand. “We’re really trying to connect kids to the natural world and to all beings we share this sacred community with.”

After dinner, Camp transformed into an outdoor festival celebrating sustainability, creativity, and gratitude for the planet. Campers rotated through hands-on stations designed to help them connect with nature in fun and meaningful ways.

In the Garden, bunks harvested fresh herbs and learned about farm-to-fork food systems while making stuffed grape leaf dolmas. The activity gave campers a chance to experience where food comes from and connect more deeply with the land that sustains us.

Other stations encouraged campers to think creatively about conservation and sustainability. One group raced through a water conservation relay, learning how small actions can make a big difference. Another built miniature structures out of watermelon rinds, turning food scraps into works of art. And of course, no Earth Day celebration would be complete without some very special guests.

Llamas! Who quickly became the stars of the show. 

For Rifka H., Wilderness leader and farm hand, Earth Day is also an opportunity for campers to step outside their comfort zones.

“They do this fun thing with the llamas where they put a long piece of carrot in their mouths, and then the llama bites the other end,” Rifka said. “It kind of pushes campers to be a little brave.”

While it may sound silly, experiences like these help campers build confidence while forming positive connections with animals and the natural world.

“Getting kids into their challenge zone and connecting with nature is really powerful,” Rifka said.

Part of Earth Day at Tawonga, Jo explained, is helping campers associate caring for the earth with joy and wonder – something that’s easy to do with llamas to pet, fresh watermelon shaved ice to enjoy, and live music from our staff band, the Earth Tones.

The Earth Tones energized the crowd with a lively performance that had campers dancing and singing along. 

Teva staff lead Tikkun blocks where campers help care for the farm and garden, learn about environmental stewardship, and experience firsthand how their actions can positively impact the community around them. This is a key aspect of our Tawonga mission. Earth Day serves as a joyful extension of that mission, giving campers another opportunity to care for the world while building meaningful relationships with nature.

Camper Domi B. from G-10A shared the Earth Tones performance was her favorite part, but added:

“Seeing all my friends get so hyped over animals was so fun to watch.”

Beyond the excitement of the day, Domi shared that Camp has helped her develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

“It’s really special because a lot of people outside of Camp don’t really appreciate nature,” she said. “Soaking in my surroundings and looking at the wilderness helps me appreciate life. It’s also super educational.”

Earth Day may only happen once each session, but its spirit is woven into daily life at Tawonga. Whether campers are tending the Garden, participating in Teva activities, helping during Tikkun blocks or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around them, they are learning what it means to care for the world and for one another.

And that’s a lesson that will stay with them long after summer ends.

P.S. Check out the origins of Tawonga’s mission, connection to nature, and more in our centennial project: Almost Heaven: A Visual History of Camp Tawonga.