Our Programs

Home » Thinking About Camp? » Our Programs

OSRUI offers a variety of options for campers from as early as the summer before 2nd grade all the way through high school! Session options are designed to fit into everyone’s summer from five days to two, three, four and even seven weeks – come meet your lifelong friends this summer! All OSRUI campers have exciting days full of creative and fun programs. Campers can expect to horseback ride, try their hand at archery, learn Israeli dances, go on sunset pontoon rides, ride the waterslides, help plant our garden, and so much more. Camp is also infused with opportunities to explore and build Jewish identity and learn Hebrew through topics and values that are age-appropriate and relate to the theme of the unit. Although each eidah (unit) has a unique focus and opportunities, everyone also gets to participate in the traditional fun activities at camp. Check out our Day at Camp page to read about the activities that are included in every day at camp.

Learn more by clicking on each session below.

Atid

2nd–3rd grades
(Cabins)

Kallah

3rd–6th grades
(Cabins)

Kibbutz HaTzofim

4th–7th grades
(Tents)

Ta’am

7th–8th grades
(Cabins)

Gesher

6th–9th grades*
(Cabins)

Moshavah

8th–9th grades*
(Tents)

Chalutzim

10th–11th grades
(Cabins)

Chalutzim Ba’Aretz

11th–12th grades

Moshavah Midwest

11th–12h grades*

Avodah

12th grade

*10th graders will be permitted with approval.
Atid (a taste of camp)

Entering Grades 2–3  |  5 Days  |  August 6 – August 10

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Cabins with 8–12 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Bathrooms are either attached or a quick walk to a washhouse.

WHAT THEY DO

WHAT’S UNIQUE?

  • Atid is great for campers who are away from home for the first time. Our nurturing staff are ready to welcome each new camper and help them adjust in their own way to being in this new setting.
Kallah (classic summer camp)
Aleph Bet   Gimmel
Entering Grades 3–5
2 Weeks
June 16 – June 29 
Entering Grades 3–5
2 Weeks
 July 1 – July 13
Entering Grades 4–6
3 Weeks
July 15 – August 3

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Cabins with 10–14 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Bathrooms are either attached or a quick walk to a washhouse.

WHAT THEY DO

  • Kallah campers get a thorough introduction to the overnight camp experience.
  • The Kallah staff focus on helping campers make new friends, learn both independence and team work as a bunk, and develop confidence in trying new things at camp.
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here.

WHAT’S UNIQUE?

  • Our counselors are trained to help our youngest campers navigate being away from home and learning to live in a group.
  • Programming and activities for Kallah are created with attention to the developmental needs of elementary school age kids to ensure each kid has a successful summer at camp.
kibbutz hatzofim (outdoor living)

 

Aleph Bet   Gimmel
Entering Grades 4–6
2 Weeks
June 16 – June 29
Entering Grades 5–7
2 Weeks
July 1– July 13
Entering Grades 5–7
4 Weeks
 July 15 – August 10

 

WHERE THEY LIVE 

  • Platform tents (with bunk beds) with 10-14 other campers their age and 3-4 counselors. 
  • The tents are a short walk from a washhouse – brand new for Summer 2025!

WHAT THEY DO 

  • Tzofim is modeled after Kibbutz-style living in Israel. In this unit, campers help create their community, assist at meal times, tend the camp grarden, and visit the animals on our small farm.
  • Throughout the session, Tzofim campers learn about communal living, problem solving, gaining responsibility, and taking care of each other.   
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here. 

WHAT’S UNIQUE? 

  • Tzofim is great for campers who are excited about the outdoors and will enjoy a chance for rustic living.  
  • In Tzofim Gimmel, the campers plan and host the camp-wide talent show, Oconomostock! 
Ta'am (A Taste of Camp for 7th-8th graders)

Entering Grades 7–8  |  2 Weeks  |  June 16 – June 29
Open to first-time campers.

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Cabins with 10–14 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Bathrooms are either attached or a quick walk to a washhouse.

WHAT THEY DO

  • Everything! Our Ta’am campers get a taste of all of OSRUI’s programming in a classic summer camp environment.
  • The program for Ta’am will be focused on rotating through camp’s programs as a community to foster friendships and connection among the campers.
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here.

WHAT’S UNIQUE

  • Ta’am is built for first-time, middle school-aged campers who are not yet ready for a four-week session. The program introduces our traditions, culture, and activities, allowing older campers to comfortably start their OSRUI journey and enjoy all camp has to offer. Space is limited in this program.
Gesher (focus, choice, and community)
Aleph Bet
Entering Grades 6–8
4 Weeks
June 16 – July 13  
Entering Grades 7–9*
4 Weeks
July 15- August 10

*10th graders will be permitted with approval.

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Cabins with 10–14 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Bathrooms are either attached or a quick walk to a washhouse.

WHAT THEY DO

  • Gesher emphasizes choice. In the mornings, Gesher campers choose an intensive that allows them to to develop and practice new skills in an area that resonates with their interests. The intensives culminate in the Gesher Expo, during which campers can display their session-long projects and demonstrate their incredible growth. In the afternoons, Gesher campers have opportunities for additional chugim (choice programming). Gesher campers love the freedom to select and focus on their favorite OSRUI activities, whether podcasting, climbing the ropes course, or creating beautiful works of art. New in 2025, Gesher will have field trips – one trip that corresponds with the intensive and one trip that the entire unit enjoys together.
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here.

GESHER INTENSIVES

  • Making a Musical: Campers will produce and star in their very own show, complete with original dialogue and songs from some favorite Broadway musicals. Campers will have opportunities for both on- and off-stage artistic exploration, including singing, acting, set design, tech management, and more.
  • STEM Exploration: Campers will design and conduct exciting experiments in subjects ranging from rocketry to robots, technology to engineering, and more. Campers will explore how things work and what Judaism can teach us about science.
  • Culinary Arts: Campers will work alongside our instructors to develop their cooking and food preparation skills, culminating in a cooking competition that shows off everything they learned. Campers will come home with an understanding of menu creation, basic cooking abilities, and some very yummy recipes.
  • The Great Outdoors: Campers in this program will enjoy and explore nature, sports, and aquatic activities and develop their wilderness skills throughout the summer. Each week will have a different focus, and the session will culminate in an overnight outdoor adventure on camp.
Moshavah (outdoor adventure and challenge)

 

Aleph Bet
Entering Grades 8–9*
4 Weeks
June 16 – July 13
Entering Grades 8–9*
4 Weeks
July 15 – August 10

*We recommend 8th graders attend Moshavah Aleph and 9th graders attend Moshavah Bet – although both grades are welcome in each session. 10th graders also permitted with approval.

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Platform tents (with bunk beds) with 10–14 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Moshavah campers live in their own community village on the edge of camp.
  • The tents are a short walk from a washhouse – brand new for Summer 2025!

WHAT THEY DO

  • The Moshavah experience centers around developing independence, both individually and as a group.
  • Moshavah camping trips are a beloved opportunity for campers to explore their Jewish connection to teva (nature), develop team-building and group decision-making skills, and expand their own resilience.
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here.

WHAT’S UNIQUE?

  • Mosh campers prepare for and go on two overnight camping trips (a 2-night trip and a 3-night trip) in Southeastern Wisconsin. The trips include backpacking, biking, canoeing, and rock climbing.

Moshavah campers spend multiple nights away from OSRUI on overnight camping trips. To ensure the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of campers, campers must have a baseline level of physical fitness, which includes the ability to walk or hike for several miles and engage in moderate physical activities. Additionally, campers must be willing to engage in challenging activities, follow safety protocols, be flexible and open to new experiences, and engage in positive teamwork and communication. Please connect with our Wellness Team with any questions or concerns about your camper’s ability to be successful in this program.

Chalutzim (Hebrew immersion)

 Entering Grades 10–11  |  7 Weeks  |  June 16 – August 3

WHERE THEY LIVE

  • Cabins with 10–14 other campers their age and 3–4 counselors.
  • Cabins are a quick walk outside to a washhouse.

WHAT THEY DO

  • Chalutzim is the capstone OSRUI experience – combining a full summer of fun, friends, and OSRUI favorites with the experience of being immersed in Hebrew language with Israeli counselors. For over 50 years, this milestone program has been one of the most highly anticipated summers that OSRUI campers get to take part in.
  • In one summer, campers typically achieve the equivalent of an entire semester of public high school language proficiency, while they explore their connection with the land and language of the Jewish people.
  • This one-of-a-kind program also includes all of the fun of camp including daily choice activities, swimming and boating, and opportunities to make camp magic for younger campers.
  • To see an example of what all campers do during a typical day, click here.

WHAT’S UNIQUE?

  • Alumni of this program, regardless of their Hebrew knowledge before the summer, report that their comprehension of, and connection to, the Hebrew language grows.
  • The Chalutzim madrichim (counselors) are Israelis who are spending their summer at camp or OSRUI alumni who can speak Hebrew fluently.
  • We welcome campers of all ability levels – and have multiple programs available each year to help campers prepare for the summer.
Moshavah Midwest (A Tiyul Unlike Any Other)

 Entering Grades 11–12*  |  2½ Weeks  |  July 24 – August 10

*10th graders will be permitted with permission.

Moshavah Midwest is a two-and-a-half-week program that incoporates biking, canoeing, and tent camping throughout Wisconsin. Participants will learn outdoor leadership and camping skills, all while deepening friendships and experiencing the quintessential magic of an OSRUI summer.

After orientation and preparation at OSRUI, campers will embark on a trip where they canoe through Southwestern Wisconsin to the Mississippi River, bike on a system of 4 converted railroad trails spanning from the Mississippi River at the Minnesota border, and spend Shabbat at the familiar Devil’s Lake State Park. Services and Jewish learning are a part of each day. Shabbat, the highlight of the week, will be a well-deserved day of rest and community. This remarkable tiyul will be a celebration of the power of the group traveling together as well as an exploration of each teen’s physical, emotional, and spiritual self. Moshavah Midwest will be led by experienced adventurers and veteran OSRUI staff, along with other specially trained staff. Each night will be spent camping out in tents at campgrounds along the way. Canoes and bicycles will be provided by OSRUI, as will tents and cooking gear. Personal gear will be the responsibility of each participant. The Moshavah Midwest packing list will be available in the Spring. 

Moshavah Midwest campers spend multiple nights away from OSRUI on camping trips. To ensure the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of campers, campers must have a baseline level of physical fitness, which includes the ability to walk or hike for several miles and engage in moderate physical activities. Additionally, campers must be willing to engage in challenging activities, follow safety protocols, be flexible and open to new experiences, and engage in positive teamwork and communication. Please connect with our Wellness Team with any questions or concerns about your camper’s ability to be successful in this program.

Chalutzim Ba'aretz (NFTY in israel)

Entering Grades 11–12  |  June 17 – July 15

Chalutzim Ba’aretz is a unique traveling Jewish community, immersing you in the language of the land as you explore ancient Jerusalem and modern Tel Aviv, the beautiful Galilee and the stunning Negev Desert. This exciting 4 week summer experience was created especially for teens who want to do more than just practice Hebrew. Unleash your language skills to converse and collaborate, debate and discover. You’ll finish your meaningful and exciting journey to Israel with new confidence, amazing memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Learn more at: https://nftyisrael.org/camp-trips/osrui/.

avodah (internships, work, and study)

 

Aleph Bet Aleph + Bet
Entering Grade 12
5 Weeks
June 11 – July 13
Entering Grade 12
4 Weeks
July 14 – August 10
Entering Grade 12
9 Weeks
June 11 – August 10

Avodah is the ultimate chance to come back to camp with friends for the last summer of getting to live together in a cabin before becoming bunk counselors.

During Avodah, our rising 12th graders complete their journey to staff members while building a sense of pride, ownership, and accomplishment in the OSRUI space, place, and program. Avodahnikim rotate through various volunteer opportunities throughout their summer in order to “try out” the different kinds of staff roles at camp. There are rotations in both the programmatic and operational parts of camp including Site Team, AV team, Office team, Arts program team, Sports program team, Teva/Adventure program team, and more. They also participate in daily opportunities to deepen Jewish identity and explore connection to Israel through Limudim, Ivrit, and Jewish leadership. Avodahniks prepare t’filot and prepare to teach Ivrit to younger eidot.

Participants can choose to attend Aleph (5 weeks), Bet (4 weeks**), or both (for a total of 9 weeks). Graduates of Aleph or Bet will experience working in at least 3 areas of camp and complete 20 hours of counselor training, gain practice leading programs for each other and other eidot, and learn lots of life skills. Those who stay for the full summer will get to continue all that they did in the first session, plus the option of having a permanent placement in a volunteer area of camp. Avodahnikim can earn up to 50+ hours/week of community service hours.

**Avodah Bet participants may join for staff week – June 11-16