Our first morning of camp began bright and early, long before the heat of the day set in. Campers of all ages dragged themselves from bed and gathered in front of the Beechwood lodge, where we assemble for group activities. Adults and children alike wiped the sleep from our eyes as we began our morning routine: calisthenics first, then a series of high energy stretches to get everyone’s blood pumping. But the true excitement came with the next event. Campers watched as Zach and Toby pulled a box of bandanas to the front of the crowd. A thunderous drum roll filled the space. The colors for this year’s color war were met with a cheer: orange and mint!
With our new teams sorted and separated, the campers enjoyed breakfast and a morning devotion about God’s intentional purpose in our lives. Today’s memory verse was Psalm 139:13–14:
For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.
From their cabins, campers traveled to Mishkan (our chapel). We enjoyed a Hebrew and Yiddish moment before heading out to rotations—arts & crafts, human foosball, basketball, and the challenge course.
The afternoon passed quickly. After lunch, we had daily Sabbath, electives, and camp-wide games. Free time followed, when the campers enjoyed a wide selection of activities, from swimming to horseback riding. We shared a hearty dinner, followed by the first color war meeting of the week.
Toby closed our day with a phenomenal message expanding upon our devotional topic. The last activity of the evening was camp-wide dodgeball—congratulations orange team for winning the event! Slowly but surely, the campers trickled back to their cabins for bedtime, awaiting the next great day of camp.
