Dear Crane Lake Families,

The first week has flown by with such spirit and togetherness. We welcomed home our campers for the summer and enjoyed a beautiful opening ceremony. We ate together for the first time as one united camp in our Chadar Ochel and learned the ins and outs of how to compost and reuse.

This week, our Jewish value was Kehilah Kadosha or holy community. The campers learned the importance of creating a special Kehilah Kadosha within their bunks and also throughout camp so they made Brit Kehilot in order to establish rules for themselves this summer.

While rain did dampen Crane Lake a few times this week, it did not wipe the smile off anyone’s face. Movies, song sessions, gaga and more, everyone stayed entertained while the rain came down.

Fourth of July was a hit as the Machon led an awesome carnival all over camp. Campers ate cotton candy, sno-cones, watched their counselors get dunked in the dunk tank, jumped on a bouncy castle and played numerous carnival games.

Shabbat rolled in with some added American spirit at song session and Israeli dance. Campers sang “Yankee Doodle” and “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu” in the same day. The staff and Machon held lovely services on Friday night and Saturday morning as our Kehilah Kadosha prayed together.

Now the sun is out and activities have returned to normal. Here’s to another amazing week to come!

Debby, Max and Sarah