Session 4 is in full swing! This weekend, our community came together for a joyful and meaningful Shabbat filled with spirited Freilach dancing, song-filled services, and time to slow down and connect. Campers and staff closed the weekend with Havdalah, carrying the warmth of Shabbat into the week ahead.
Today, campers enjoyed their third Floats experience of the session, choosing independently which program area around camp to visit. Whether trying a new activity or returning to a favorite, Floats gives campers the opportunity to follow their curiosity, build confidence making their own choices, and connect with peers outside of their bunks.
While younger campers are embracing newfound independence through Floats, our oldest campers are taking that growth one step further.
TLI
We’re excited to shine a spotlight on our Teen Leadership Institute (TLI) — our three-and-a-half-week program for rising 11th graders!
Throughout the TLI experience, teens take on a wide range of powerful and formative opportunities. While on the road, they:
- Complete service projects in Portland in partnership with Tivnu, supporting communities experiencing houselessness
- Visit tiny home villages, build fences and tables, and engage with residents to hear their stories
- Explore Portland’s culture through food truck tours, boat tours, and day hikes
- Recharge with a Back to Earth retreat, including river solo sits, nature connection, and silent reflection
- Embark on adventures like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing
- Create meaningful Shabbat experiences in nature
For TLI teen Savannah S., the trip was transformative.
“I feel like I’ve gone through the trip in a very intentional way,” Savannah said. “I’ve had so much time to think about myself, about other people, and about how to help the world. Even while we were whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and doing scary things, I felt this sense of peace underlying the whole experience.”
For Ayla N., the service projects transformed the idea of making a difference into something tangible.
“I’ve always been told that small things can make an impact, but I’d never really seen it in such an apparent way,” Ayla said. “When I was planting in the community garden, I could see that those plants are going to grow into food for people. I was able to really see the impact I was making.”
Sasha S. said one of the most meaningful parts of TLI was building friendships far beyond her own bunk.
“I’ve been coming to Camp for nine years, but I’ve never had an experience where I got this close with so many different people,” Sasha said. “It’s been three weeks, and I feel like I can call them some of my closest friends.”
The teens spend a transformative final week at Tawonga, where they reunite with beloved traditions and give back to Camp through hands-on service. This week at Tawonga includes:
- In-Training for a Day, where teens shadow staff roles and step into leadership
- Musical campfires, sunset hikes, and joyful evenings under the stars
- A teen-led Kabbalat Shabbat to close out the week
- Conquering the Challenge Course, where teens build trust and unity through the ethic, “challenge by choice”
Returning to Camp after weeks on the road also gives teens a chance to step into leadership for younger campers.
“It’s a really cool way to bridge the gap from camper to staff,” Sasha said. “Being back at Camp as a role model is such a special opportunity. We’re on our way to becoming SCITs and counselors, and it feels like a really important first step.”
As TLI wraps up, the impact is clear — teens return from this experience with a deeper sense of purpose, stronger Jewish identity, and a growing toolkit for leadership. We’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see many of them back next year as SCITs!
