fun for kids

Camp Kesher – making Judaism fun for kids By Mala Blomquist

Camp Kesher is the newest overnight camp serving Jewish kids in Oregon and Washington. Its frst weeklong camp was held in 2019 at a lodge on Mount Hood. Tis year the 12-day camp will be located at Camp Lacamas near Lake Lacamas in Camas, WA. “Tis place is better for us, Mount Hood was a great lodge, but there were no grounds,” says Meira Spivak, camp direct at Camp Kesher and NCSY’s Oregon director. “Tis is a real camp with cabins and an auditorium, and it’s by a lake. We’re accessible to Oregon and Washington – it’s right on the border. It’s a beautiful location and it will give us more space.”

Meira started the camp because she realized that for many kids after their bar or bat mitzvah, after studying so hard for such a momentous occasion, they get kind of “burnt out” on Judaism.

“Unfortunately, for many kids, instead of it being the beginning of their Jewish connection, it turns into almost the end,” she says. “I’m trying to undo that and I truly believe that the only way kids are going to want to stay Jewish long term is if everything Jewish is fun and enjoyable.”

Camp Kesher is an outdoor-focused camp with activities like white water rafting, hiking, recreational activities and camping – all infused with a love of Judaism. Te day starts with Jew Jitsu, Jewish centered learning and activities, which for some campers may consist of formal prayer, and for others, it could be just a conversation. Te choice is up to the individual. “Te kids are from all diferent backgrounds,” says Meira. “We have kids coming who are afliated and unafliated. No matter where kids are, we want to meet them where they are and give them a positive experience.” Te staf of Camp Kesher is a combination of those with NCSY backgrounds and college and high school students with previous camp or youth group experience. “Tey’re not counselors that are trying to go and hang out with each other at night. Tey are coming to make sure that every kid is having a good time, and that’s our number one priority,” says Meira. Te activities are also top-notch, and thoroughly planned. Meira jokes that last year’s camp was only a week long, and she spent about a month planning each day. “We put so much thought into it, and we have so much experience in camping and traveling and working with kids collectively. We have a lot of resources and background with NCSY.”

Another unique thing is that all of the food at Camp Kesher is homemade. Meira used to be a caterer, so she oversees the food preparation. Tey also work closely with the families of those children who have special diets so that they can accommodate their needs. Te 12-day camp is available to current fourth through ninth graders, and there’s also a 3-day option for current third graders. Tere is a staf and training program for 10th through 12th graders, and those staf and trainers will receive a stipend at the end of the session. Te camp is also afordable for an overnight camp. “We feel that Jewish camp is a necessity; it’s not even a luxury, and kids really need the engagement during the summer,” says Meira. Te camp is $1,150 for 12 days, including registration. Financial aid is also available.

“Everything we do – our programs are dynamic, exciting and they’re run professionally, and that’s the standard that we go for,” says Meira. “We don’t want Camp Kesher to be the best-kept secret in the Northwest.”

Just some of the activities that Camp Keshar has to ofer.