Nivonim Niagara Falls Adventure!

On Monday morning, adat ha-Nivonim headed out on their 3 day trip to Niagara Falls!!  Last night they returned, very happy!

Here’s a report from their tzevet (staff):

We had an amazing three-day tiyul (trip) out of camp Mon-Wed to Niagara Falls!!

Our first leg took us to John Thatcher State Park for a picnic lunch and then a 3 mile hike overlooking an incredible gorge, and past 2 water falls. We returned to our busses for the rest of our journey that day that ended at Adath Yeshurun in Syracuse. There we were greeted by some incredible Ramah parents and alumni lead by Jeff and Abby Scheer, who helped organize all our food and meals for our trip. They warmed our dinner Monday and grilled burgers and hotdogs for 84 people on Tuesday. We send them an enormous TODAH RABBAH for everything! This trip would have been impossible without them.

The next morning began early as we set off for our day at Niagara Falls! After another long but spirited bus ride, we learned about the history of the state park (the first state park in the country and precursor of all the national parks) and got drenched at the Cave of the Wind. A few campers even brought some soap and showered in the falls.

While were we waiting for our tour, a tourist from Argentina approached our group and asked if we would help make a minyan for him so he could say Kaddish. 20+ Nivonimers immediately stepped forward to help! It was an incredible moment to be a part of. Our Nivonim campers are amazing.

After the Cave of the Wind, we got a close-up view of the Falls on the Maid of the Mist and then had some time to explore the lookouts on Goat Island.

On our way back to camp on Wednesday, we stopped at John Boyd Thatcher State Park for a beach day filled with Marco Polo games, sand castle building, spike ball, a marathon game of Settlers of Cattan, many rounds of Prez (a card game — ask your kids), and hanging out.

In just three days out of camp we traveled almost 900 physical miles but more importantly the time spent experiencing the wonders of Niagara Falls and hours spent on the bus brought us so much closer as an edah. New friendships were formed and existing relationships were enriched and deepened.

TODAH RABBAH to Adath Yeshurun and all the many volunteers who helped make this trip possible.