Shalom from Camp Akiba
It's late on Shabbat and I just want to update you one last time.
We had a wonderful Shabbat t'fillah conducted by our Unit 3 (8th and 9th graders). They spoke so articulately about the importance of camp in their lives. Many refered to camp as "life changing". It's really amazing how terrific these campers are. They treat each other with care and concern, respect and love, which sets a wonderful tone for camp in general.
Our theme of Community Unity has really hit home for many of the campers as they talk about their community of family, their community of friends, of synagogue, and other kinds of communities that they are a part of. We sing songs, from the 70's to today, in Hebrew and English, often enjoying the same songs that their parents sang at camp 20 - 30 years ago.
It's incredible to realize that camp will end in just over a day. We should arrive in Thousand Oaks at around 3pm (give or take a half hour due to traffic) and around 4:30pm at El Marino Park. You can reach me at 818-203-9509 after 2pm for an update on the times.
Please be sure to be on time. Even though we can't offer exact times yet, it is important for you to be there when your kids arrive. They are looking forward to seeing you, though they are sad to be leaving camp, and will need your support and love and promises to help them keep in touch with one another.
Looking forwarding to seeing you all at the park.
Bill Concoff
Camp Akiba Director
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Shalom From Camp Akiba...
Here we are and it's late Sunday evening. The campers are tucked in for the night and the counselors are sitting in the lodge, reviewing tomorrows activities, or wandering around camp, checking on the campers ( we call that OD). We had a very full day today, including chugim (interest groups), swimming, a trial (did Matt really take the Unit 3 staff's deoderant?), singing, meals, and lots of other activities.
Stephanie (Akiba's Ed Director and Day Camp director) came up to visit, bringing our Sh'lichim (the day camp Israeli counselors), to visit and lead some activities with our campers. The campers had a great time learning a little about the Israeli community. Monday Rabbi Shapiro will come and vist, to sing with the campers and join in some of our fun. We are looking forward to his visit.
If weather permits, tomorrow our first groups will go to the beach at Pismo. It tends to be cooler and overcast in the mornings, with the sun visiting us around 2pm for the balance of the afternoon. Tonight was the first night that the stars were visible in full force. and tonight was our first dance, with an 80's theme. Amazing how many of the kids knew lots of the 80's music, though none of them were born before the 90's.
These kids are great dancers and really love to dance, whether it's social dancing or Israeli dancing as we did on Shabbat. This is truly an amazing group of terrific, cooperative campers who are really here at camp to enjoy every moment. Each activity, each event becomes another in a long line of valuable camp memories. I guarantee camp will come up in their conversations in a month, a year, 10 years, and forever. That's just what camp memories are - forever.
Well, that's all for now. Rick is in the process of getting the first camp pictures onto the website, so keep watching for them.
Keep the letters coming, with lots of positive staff. And please, no food.
Watch for postcards; they should be coming soon.
Love for now from the Camp Akiba kids and staff.
Bill