July 9, 2026
The storms may have circled overhead, but God’s goodness shined through all day long! Thanks to our incredible directors and staff, the schedule flowed seamlessly, and most campers hardly noticed the occasional sprinkle that drifted through camp.
Our morning Mishkan began with a powerful testimony from Lola Speck, who once sat in these same seats as a camper and now serves as a counselor. Her story was a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact camp can have and of G-d’s faithfulness through every season of life. Worship followed, along with our daily Hebrew Moment, as campers continued growing in both faith and connection to their Jewish roots.
One of today’s biggest highlights was an absolute Camp Kesher classic:
Tie-Dye Day!
Every camper created their very own Camp Kesher tie-dye shirt, and those colorful masterpieces will soon be making their way home with your campers. No two shirts were alike, which felt fitting for a week focused on being Built Different!
Campers also participated in improv games that challenged them to step outside their comfort zones, think quickly, embrace creativity, and laugh together. The room was filled with hilarious moments, surprising performances, and plenty of joyful chaos.
When weather shifted our afternoon plans, camp simply shifted with it! Our camp-wide field games moved indoors to the air-conditioned basement where campers battled it out in an epic game of Ships and Sailors, testing their listening skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. The energy was high, the competition was fierce, and the laughter was nonstop.
Free time offered something for everyone: a massive gathering to watch the World Cup match, Arts & Crafts favorites like Shrinky Dinks, bead making, and felting, creek exploration, rock climbing, gym games, and countless opportunities to spend time with friends.
Evening Mishkan began with one of the more important debates of our generation:
Are the counselors “Unc” or “Nunc”?
Counselor selfies flashed across the screen while campers enthusiastically voted on whether each counselor was officially old or not old. The verdicts were passionate, the chants were loud, and the commentary was absolutely ruthless in the most hilarious camp fashion imaginable.
Then came one of the most meaningful messages of the week.
Bobby Walter, our fearless leader, revisited our camp theme of being Built Different, reflecting on the young people we have studied throughout the week—Samuel, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Mary. Though each faced uncertainty, fear, or feelings of inadequacy, they trusted G-d’s goodness and surrendered to His plans for their lives.
Tonight, Bobby introduced us to another young person from Scripture:
Yeshua.
Opening to Luke 2, Bobby invited all of our 12-year-olds to stand, creating a powerful visual of just how young Yeshua was when He amazed the teachers in His Father’s house with His wisdom and understanding.
His parents had unknowingly left Him behind—clearly before the Camp Kesher Buddy System existed—but Yeshua was exactly where He needed to be: walking in His Father’s purpose.
Bobby reminded campers that even for Yeshua, God’s plan unfolded over time.
There was no rush.
There was growth.
There was learning.
There was preparation.
Scripture tells us that Yeshua continued to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with G-d and man.
The message for our campers was simple but profound:
You do not need to rush growing up; you just need to follow Yeshua.
Your purpose is not something you have to force or figure out all at once. God is faithfully shaping it, one step at a time.
Yeshua understands that journey.
He walked it too.
Bobby encouraged campers that when questions come—and they will—they can turn to Yeshua for guidance, trusting Him to lead them faithfully through every season.
Will you allow Him to grow you, shape you, and mature you little by little?
As the evening drew to a close, Bobby invited campers to place their faith in Yeshua as their personal Savior, leading them in a prayer that may have marked the beginning of a lifelong journey with Him for some of those sitting in the room. Please pray for these children as Yeshua helps them find their purpose.
We closed Mishkan singing the words:
“Greater than any storm…”
And those words could not have felt more fitting. The rain clouds passed, the skies cleared, and campers made their way to our guy and girl campfires scattered across camp.
As worship songs echoed through the night air, the Holy Spirit moved in powerful ways. Campers shared testimonies, celebrated G-d’s faithfulness, and spoke openly about where they had seen Him at work in their lives.
There is something sacred about hearing young voices declare G-d’s goodness beneath a summer night sky.
Tonight, we had the privilege of witnessing exactly that.
And it was beautiful.
