Talking About God At Camp

This summer at camp, we are looking to create moments for our chanichim (campers) to talk about God.  In an age-appropriate way, our tzevet (staff) are running peulot (programs) and finding opportunities to explore with our campers how we think about God.

Here is a taste of what has been happening, across our edot:

Kochavim (rising 3rd & 4th graders): Long-time Ramahnik Rebecca Boro came and discussed God and brachot with us at tefillah.  The chanichim discussed the importance of kindness and treating each other well, as well as the significance of the word “amen”.

Ilanot (rising 5th graders): We had a great talk about the Shema during tefillah with Rabbi Fe from limud.  He explored how the Shema developed and how it presents God.  We also looked at the three different parts of the word Shema: “She”, “MMM”, and “Ahh” — and how only when you combine all the three do you get the full Shemah.

Solelim (rising 6th graders): This week in Solelim, our tzevet facilitated a morning of alternative tefillot, built around the different questions chanichim ask about God and the way our tefillot present God.

Shoafim (rising 7th graders): In Shoafim, we talked about how the Amidah is designed to be a conversation with God, and how different blessings in the Amidah can help us focus and act as a conversation-starter with God.

Amitzim: We have been doing “Thank You God” moments, in which we go around and try to make rhymes of the different places, people, and things we are each grateful for.

Magshimim (rising 8th graders): With Rabbi Gordon Tucker leaving camp earlier this week, we were fortunate to have him join us for his final tefillot of the kayitz.  In Magshimim, it’s many campers’ first time wearing tefillin.  Rabbi Tucker generously gave us his time to explain the mitzvah of tefillin to our campers; what this ritual means, and how it’s intended to help connect us to God.  (Rabbi Tucker was also helpful in adjusting many campers’ tefillin, so that they fit well!)

Bogrim (rising 9th graders): This week in Bogrim, we took a journey through our siddur to explore the different ways that God is depicted!

Machon (rising 10th graders): During a recent tefillah rotation program, the chanichim in adat ha-Machon met with different members of tzevet limud (our education team) and our senior camp leadership.  In each rotation, the chanichim were able to discuss different aspects of God, and what presence God might have in our daily lives.

Nivonim (rising 11th graders): During tefillot this week, we talked about how how in the Amidah, God is described as the “God of our ancestors”.  We compared this to other descriptions of God found in our liturgy, such as “king of the world”, and we then discussed how our values derive from our families.