A letter from Associate Director Susan Alexander

This is the seventh week of camp and I am already so sad that it is almost time to go home.  The past few days have been filled with so many fun things that I just want to stay here forever!  The campers and staff are so wonderful. I just marvel at all the great things I have learned from them.

I am still laughing at Kallah “Musical Day.”  The Kallah campers actually acted and sang to an original musical put together by Emily Goldberg, madricha. The staff joined the singing with various Broadway melodies. Kallah does so many creative and really fun things!! Any one for Slip ‘n Slide and slunch?

Tzofim is secretly and busily preparing for Oconomostock , a huge camp talent show! On Saturday, my friend Paula Kaye, and I sat in on the auditions and each camper who tried out was unbelievably talented. We had campers playing the piano, violin and guitar. We had Kallah campers who wrote an original “blues song,” all about Sweet Home, OSRUI. WOW – I am so impressed by all this talent. I know that the Tzofim staff had a really difficult time choosing the acts that will participate.

On Monday, Tiferet went on a canoe trip! Yes, you heard me – Tiferet went on a canoe trip!!! They paddled nine-and-a half-miles down the Rock River and ended up at a beautiful park. The specialists met all the campers and staff there and they held “studio on the green.” As I walked around, I heard the drama studio campers reciting Shakespeare, the music studio campers, equipped with all their instruments, playing all kinds of great music, the dancers were dancing and the visual artist were working on water color paintings of their surroundings. Ah, it was so fabulous. Some of the staff were preparing the grills for the cook out that was to follow. Moms and dads, I was really impressed by all of this.

While all this was happening, Gesher returned from their trip to an organic farm, where they actually helped to harvest all kinds of produce. They donated this and some other food to a food pantry. Can you believe how great this is!

Moshavah had Halloween last night. They had so much fun creating their costumes! They are busy with their limud and Hebrew this week, hoping to pass the Chalutzim test!!

Speaking of Chalutzim– my songleading sicha told me that they are going to super glue themselves either to my mirpesset (porch) or to the migdal (tower). I guess they are having such a great time they just don’t want to leave. These future songleaders are already so talented. They will be playing again for all of camp at the beginning of Shabbat dinner. All of Chalutzim feels the same way about this summer. This is a truly fabulous group of campers and staff. I may help with the gluing.

So moms and dads, that is all for tonight. I love camp, and guess what – still NO MOSQUITOES!

Love,

Susan