Holy Moley, I cannot believe that OSRUI Summer 2016 starts in just two weeks. It feels like yesterday I was waving 
goodbye to Tzofim Gimmel campers, unsure about what would come next.
After a 14-hour road trip all the way from New Jersey, I could not be more ready to begin this amazing summer. With only one day of Rosh Eidah week in the books, I can already tell this summer will be like no other.
I write today to grab the attention of the young, energetic, and excited Tzofim chanichim (campers) who will be coming to camp this summer. I’m sure all of you have already started packing, reconnecting with your friends from last year, and trying to figure out what tent you will be in this summer. If you’re new, your parents are labeling your clothes, picking out what you want to buy at canteen, and watching the camp video every day because you just can’t wait to participate in all the activities. For all new and old chanichim, I wanted to take the time to send you some advice before you embark on your journey at camp. I can’t wait to see all of you so very soon!
- DON’T FORGET YOUR HIGH SOCKS! In case you didn’t know it is tradition in Tzofim to wear our craziest high socks every Thursday! I challenge each of you to bring the most unique pair!
- Make sure to bring a sturdy backpack. In Tzofim, we love to walk around camp and don’t always go back to our ohelim (tents)! It is important to bring a backpack so that you will always be able to carry whatever you need with you.
- Bring your “gardening gloves” and get excited to meet the animals in the refet (farm). Tzofim is famous for having the first gan (garden) at camp and having the one and only refet in all of camp. If we work hard enough we will even be able to eat the crops from our gan!
- Get ready to sing and dance your socks off. In Tzofim, we love dancing and singing our favorite silly songs! Get excited to learn some new songs and have fun with the old ones.
- Keep your eyes wide open! Take advantage of being at camp by trying new activities and making new friends. Be open to the new programs and the changes at camp. If you give it a chance I’m sure you will love it!
Emily is so excited to be returning to camp this summer as Rosh Eidah of Kibbutz HaTzofim. A native of New Jersey, she spent 5 summers as a camper at URJ Camp Harlam before she journeyed across the country to OSRUI and has been there ever since. This is Emily’s 8th summer at OSRUI and 6th year on staff. Emily spent the last four years (with the exception of a semester abroad in Israel as a Nachshon Project Fellow) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied Nonprofit Management and Jewish Studies. After the summer, she plans on pursing an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Nonprofit Management.
In Kibbutz HaTzofim the outdoors really comes alive for you. If you are independent and love the outdoors . . . if you are willing to take on part of the responsibility for camp life in helping with the garden, taking care of the rabbits, chickens, and goats, helping prepare meals, and building a campfire . . . then Kibbutz HaTzofim is the place for you this summer. Tzofim is designed for campers who are independent and really enjoy the outdoors and living in a rustic environment.