It has been a great week in the first ever Gesher Bet! We began the week on opening day by bringing in the new Chanichim and welcoming them in with open arms! We started our session with a program where every chanich (camper) was able to write a fear they had for the session and then place it in a fire. While we watched the fears burn away, this symbolized the start of the new session, as well as a way to conquer our fears in the community and help reach our goals. We also had our first Erev Tzrif (cabin night) as well as our two chugim, swimming, and some amazing evening programs!

The best thing that I noticed this week was the campers’ ability to connect with each other. Personally, I know that the connections made at camp are lifelong. From the very first year of Gesher in 2006 that I was a part of, the friends I have made have remained close to this day. It is my hope and my goal that the campers in Gesher and at OSRUI this summer will build strong connections and develop as strong as a support system that I have developed as a camper and member of the tzevet (staff), myself.

We are looking forward to celebrating our first Shabbat together, our field trip next week, as well as all of the amazing things that OSRUI has to offer all taking place in between! Shabbat shalom!

-Becky

Gesher is our leadership unit designed to give you the ultimate OSRUI experience: more electives (we call them chugim ), going on field trips each week, preparing and hosting the all-camp Carnival, and emphasizing your role as a member of a community.   As a Gesher camper, you have two chugim each day – you get to choose from sports*, sailing, nature, drama, photography, cooking and lots more. There are some electives offered only to Gesher campers.  The field trips we take in Gesher are the best! In the past, we have gone to places like a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game, the zoo, the Wisconsin Dells, and on a day-long hiking trip.  When you’re not on a field trip or planning the Carnival or enjoying all your chugim, there are activities designed to emphasize your role in the Gesher community. Gesher is the Hebrew word for “Connection,” and these programs help you create the connections with other campers that will allow you to become a stronger leader, a stronger team member, a stronger member of the Jewish community, and a stronger you.