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Dear Parents,
I hope you are doing well and are enjoying the beginning of the summer. Here at NCSY Camp Sports, we keep the days filled with meaningful and fun activities. As we complete our first full week of camp, it has been wonderful watching friendships develop, sports teams compete, and especially seeing each camper have fun.
Last week I emailed you as we headed into Shabbos, and I must say we had a great first Shabbos here in camp. The dancing and singing at the Shabbos meals and davening was memorable. We are all looking forward to another great Shabbos. After an inspiring davening and Shabbos meal, each league joined together for an Oneg and team bonding. Shabbos day and meal were also inspirational and fun. After we caught up on some much needed sleep we ate the third meal and joined together for some singing and inspiration. As Shabbos ebbed away, Rabbi Zucker spoke and inspired us for the coming week. On Saturday Night, we had a blast bowling.
Sunday was the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day that begins the time period known as the Three Weeks. During this time, we mourn the loss of the Bais Hamikdash (Temple). Rabbi Moshe Grosberg spoke in the morning about facing challenges and growing from them. In the afternoon the NCSYers watched some meaningful videos and participated in an activity to better understand what impending loss feels like. We broke our fast on some great food and then at 11:00 pm everyone got fresh pancakes from our very impressive propane powered dairy griddle.
Two a day league games started on Monday even during the intense heat. After some learning in the morning, we played fun and intense games. We drank a lot and shortened the games, but still had a lot of fun. Monday night we went swimming to cool off after our long day of sports.
On Tuesday, all the NCSYer were able to choose between three awesome trips: paintball, a water hike or ropes course. Everyone reported back that they had a blast!
Our league games continued on Wednesday, and we spent most of the day outside with perfect weather. Our learning program completed their unit on Rosh Hashana and celebrated with a cake decorating competition to show what you learned on a cake for the world. Wednesday night we started our basketball night league as well as our outdoors club.
Thursday morning we began our learning unit about Yom Kippur. After lunch, we went on an awesome trip to Codorus State Park. We went pontoon and kayak boating, played some frisbee golf and took a nice hike. Optional mishmar took place at night, followed by a BBQ. This week’s mishmar prizes featured the use of a fridge in your room, steaks, a sous vide kit and much more.
We are looking forward to another great shabbos. Today we are going to wait to see what the weather brings us and see if we can play sports, but it is looking like we can get a game in before Shabbos and Walmart.
One last note. We have had some issues with our phone. To reach the office please call our secretary, Chani, 917-513-3383, or my cell phone 516-316-8782.
Thank you very much and
Have wonderful shabbos, Rabbi Jon Green |
