Welcome to Camp Session 4 & TLI

On Sunday, Session 4 campers and Teen Leadership Institute (TLI) teens rode buses down these “country roads,” overjoyed to make meaningful friendships and camp memories here among the tall, tall trees and good company. With well over 300 campers this session, 25% of whom are first-time Tawongans, there is plenty of excitement to try out all that Camp has to offer.

TLI, a program of over 40 teens, is back at Camp for one week after spending time adventuring and volunteering in Oregon. For many, the bus ride back was a homecoming of sorts.

“It was a surreal feeling to be back in a place that I’ve been missing since I left last summer. Words can’t describe the feeling — I’m surrounded by people I love who are loving,” said TLI camper Julian. 

Campers are already getting immersed in each rung of our four-part mission: Positive self-image & self-esteem, creating a cooperative community, Tikkun Olam — a partnership with nature — and spirituality and positive Jewish identity. Through “work wheels,” campers take ownership and work together to clean the cabin, clear the table and refill food during family-style meal times — uplifting each other through this cooperative community. At the Gender Campfires last night and tonight’s Camp T Community anti-bullying and inclusion workshop, campers explored positive self-identity with productive peer discussions and through song. 

All campers this session will experience Ruach Hour with our incredible Jewish programmers. The theme of Ruach Hour is Shabbat: the journey we go on together during Shabbat, the blessings and traditions involved and the gratitude we can express during this time. We will talk about how campers might be able to take some of these ideas home with them, or as we call it, “Taking Tawonga home.” Ruach Hour is one of the many ways campers are able to explore and reflect upon their sense of spirituality and connection to Judaism during the session. Starting Friday evening, campers will get to experience a Camp shabbat – a special treat for our longer sessions of the summer.

The final mission rung is Tikkun Olam and connecting with nature, which works well with Camp Tawonga’s convenient location in the gorgeous Stanislaus National Forest, neighboring Yosemite National Park. Over the next two weeks, Session 4 campers will have the opportunity to backpack for one night in the surrounding wilderness and bond with their bunks on the hikes, over campfires and team-building activities. 

While at Camp, campers can experience the breathtaking Tuolumne River that runs through our property, sleep under the stars, spend time in the garden and “tikkun” (or repair) the forest. This beautiful land gives us so much, and it is important that we know how to give back! On Friday, TLI will participate in a Miwok Land Gathering around Camp property, learning from Jennifer, a Miwok community member, about making nupa, a traditional acorn soup, as well as how their relatives and ancestors cared for the land.

Between experiencing mission moments, campers are appreciating every bit in between! Hit activities for Session 4 campers so far include Floats, crafting at Arts & Crafts, spending time at the lake + pool and daily song sessions after breakfast and dinner. “Danny’s Song,” “Piano Man,” “Circle Game” and “The MTA Song” have really gotten the crowd going!

“I love song session because everyone is together dancing and singing — it’s just a really happy moment,” said G-3 camper Aylin. 

We can’t wait for all the happy moments to come with Session 4 and TLI — what an incredible bunch of kids!