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This summer, Temple Emek Shalom and Havurah Shir Hadash unite once again to bring “Camp Gesher – A Bridge to Friendship” to the Rogue Valley. The camp will take place for five days from August 4-8, 2008, and will serve children entering K – 5 in the fall.

 

In its third year, Camp Gesherwill be directed this year by Andrea Shupack who has been involved in Jewish formal and informal education for 11 years. She has taught every age from Kindergarten to adults. Andrea has served as an education director, teacher, song-leader, music specialist, youth director, and much more. She is very excited to be moving to Ashlandin July to join the staff at Temple Emek Shalom. Andrea comes with a lot of energy and passion and is looking forward to spending part of the summer at camp with your children.

This summer at Camp Gesher, inspired by Israel's recent significant 60th birthday, will focus on Israelas the theme. Many of the activities, including time with music, art, drama, and sports, will connect the children in different ways to Israel and ideas related to Israel, such as peace and nature. The week will be packed with a wide variety of activities for the enjoyment of everyone.

 

Camp Gesherhas three groups of campers divided by grade levels; K-1, 2-3 and 4-5. Each group will have at least two counselors and approximately 15 children per group. There are also youth volunteers who work as counselor assistants especially with the younger groups. Andrea will work with each group every day leading them in song and other activities. Specialists from both communities will come in to share their talents with the children in doing art projects, drama, dance, etc. Each of the three groups will have outings in the mornings to North Mountain Nature Park to do a program of learning combined with service, as well as to various parks within walking distance of the Havurah.

 

Camp hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Monday through Friday. The children will engage in activities ranging from arts and crafts to song, games, and cooking. Camp will be held on the spacious grounds of Havurah Shir Hadash. On Friday evening all the campers and their families will gather in the Temple’s garden for a picnic to welcome Shabbat together and have a farewell song circle. Says Ayala Zonnenschein, Havurah Program Director, “The Friday evening picnic is the crowning event after a fun-filled week when the children get to perform the songs and dances they’ve learned all week. Seeing the bonding between the children and the counselors is always a moment for me that reminds me of my own childhood experience in camp and why I loved it so much.”

 

Camp Gesher offers children in Ashland, local and tourists alike, a chance to spend a fun-filled, spirited week with a Jewish focus. Camp applications, as well as counselor applications, are available in the office of either Temple Emek Shalom, 1800 East Main St., (541-488-2909) or Havurah Shir Hadash, 185 N. Mountain Ave., (488-7716). Camp Gesher serves children of all faiths and backgrounds

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Tags: Havurah Shir Hadash