Garden Kitchen Tikkun: Campers Give Back

On a sunny afternoon earlier this summer, one bunk of campers stepped away from their usual Tawonga routine of archery, art, and creek hikes for a different kind of hands-on experience — one that fed not just their curiosity, but also their sense of purpose.

Together with Garden Kitchen staff Maria, Mix, and Clarissa the bunk rolled up their sleeves for a special tikkun (repair) project rooted in Jewish values and community impact. Earlier that day, they had collected surplus food from the Dining Hall — a medley of vegetables, proteins, and pantry staples that otherwise would have gone to waste. In the shaded oasis of our Garden Kitchen, the bunk transformed these ingredients into approximately 75 full meals, complete with both vegetarian and meat options.

“We took extra food from the Dining Hall, packed up full meals with both veggie and meat options, and donated them to a local food pantry,” said Maria L., Garden Kitchen Supervisor. “It was a hands-on way to learn about Jewish values like tikkun olam, tzedakah, and pe’ah — giving with justice and minimizing waste.”

Camp Tawonga then donated these meals to a local food pantry, ensuring that the nourishment and care cultivated at Camp would ripple outward into the surrounding community. As they chopped, stirred, and packaged, campers paused to reflect on core Jewish teachings:

• Tikkun olam, or repairing the world, by helping meet the needs of others;
• Tzedakah, the practice of charity that is rooted in justice rather than pity;
• And pe’ah, the ancient mitzvah of leaving the corners of one’s field unharvested so those experiencing hunger can glean what they need with dignity.

In the Garden Kitchen, these values weren’t just discussed — they were lived.

For many of the campers, this experience offered a new lens on the food system, food waste, and their own ability to create positive change. By preparing meals with intentionality and care, they deepened their understanding of what it means to nourish both body and soul — not just for themselves, but for others, too.

Moments like this are part of what makes Tawonga more than just summer fun. Here, campers get to practice being stewards of the land, community leaders, and agents of justice — all while surrounded by the support and love of their bunkmates. And the impact doesn’t end when the cutting boards are cleaned — it follows them home, carried in their hearts as they keep growing into thoughtful, empowered changemakers.