Chalutzim’s Service Trip To JFCS Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center

At Camp Kef, we have a core set of values that our counselors and campers strive to uphold. Kehillah (community), Chesed (kindness), Ruach (spirit), and Sakranut (curiosity). Every moment at camp is an opportunity to engage with our values; from inviting a new friend to sit with them at lunch, to trying a new skill even when they’re a little nervous. This week, our oldest campers, Chalutzim, explored the value of community on a service trip.

Our campers in Chalutzim serve as our camp’s Counselors in Training (CITs). For part of the day, they enjoy all the fun and play our camp has to offer. For the other part of the day, they are placed in different bunks across camp. While in the bunks, they assist the counselors with activities and programming, build relationships with the younger campers, and learn hands on how to be a counselor. 

“Our CIT program offers a first chance for our campers to step into a role with responsibility,” said Rachel Morgan, our Chalutzim unit head. “It’s a safe place for them to learn the confidence to lead and then actually apply it.”

This past week, our campers went on a trip to Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center. The Brodsky Enrichment Center offers programming and events for adults who are living with disabilities. For this field trip, our campers joined a challah baking event alongside members of the JFCS program. During the program, our campers chatted with the other participants while prepping, kneading, and braiding the dough. While the dough was proofing, they all engaged in a learning session about food insecurity. All of the challah that they baked will either be donated to local food pantries or sold to raise funds for organizations that fight hunger in our community. 

“Our service trip was really nice,” said Tal, one of the Chalutzim campers. “It made me feel very grateful for what I have after learning about food insecurity and things like food stamps. It felt cool to volunteer, knowing I was helping out, even a little.”

We’re so proud to see our campers step up and make meaningful contributions to their community. Not only is Camp Kef a place for our campers to have the best summer ever, it’s also a place for campers to grow as people giving them a space to nurture and develop their leadership skills. Continue to follow along on our platforms to see what our campers learn this summer!

Our Chalutzim campers at the JFCS Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center.