Over the past few weeks, campers at Chabad Camp Catan and Camp Gan Yisroel enjoyed a combination of Jewish learning, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and plenty of summer fun.
Campers explored the wonders of nature and the world around us. During Circle Time, they learned about Creation, the rainbow in the Torah, caring for our environment, and the four seasons. Creative activities included making rainbows, painting rainbow fish with pom-poms, and baking delicious veggie pizza.
Traveling through their imaginations to the Land of Israel, kids learning about the Kotel, the Israeli desert and beaches, the holiness of the Land of Israel, the future Beis Hamikdash, and some of Israel’s delicious foods. Activities included making Israel-themed sun hats, watercolor paintings of the Kotel, homemade hummus, and artwork featuring the seven foods special to the Land of Israel.
The mitzvah of mezuzah came to life through daily prayer and Torah learning, as campers discovered how a mezuzah transforms a house into a Jewish home. The week included a trip to Sky Zone, water sports, an egg-drop science challenge, sorbet making, and creative projects such as Mezuzah Shrinky Dinks, handmade mezuzahs, and sand art. Campers had the opportunity to meet a scribe, watch a mezuzah being handwritten, and even help put up a mezuzah in a new family’s playroom. The week ended with pizza and an exotic animal and reptile show.
Campers created Shabbos-themed canvas paintings, rubber band bowls, slime, and candles. The week wrapped up with a challah bake and juggling show. Holiday-themed activities included flower dot art for Shavuos, creating edible sukkahs, making Purim masks, and enjoying holiday Play-Doh mats.
The summer came to a delicious close with Kosher Week. Through the Kids in the Kitchen program, every camper made their own cheesecake. The summer concluded with a tour of Kosher Central and a pizza party.
From Jewish learning and meaningful mitzvah experiences to water games, science challenges, art projects, field trips, cooking, sports, and countless moments of laughter, this summer was truly one to remember.
