Machon (entering 11th grade) just returned from their week-long tiyul (trip), and they had a blast!
“I couldn’t have asked for a more lovely time with this polite, funny, dynamic, silly, and sweet eidah, who took full advantage of the opportunity to deepen existing relationships and form new ones in this special out-of-camp experience,” Engagement Associate and Tiyul Machon Coordinator Jess Levitt said.
The fun began immediately with a day of adventures in Green Bay, including everything from a resort stay to kashering their own microwaves for a baked potato bar.
A trip to Green Bay wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lambeau Field, so before leaving, everyone stopped at one of the NFL’s most iconic sites for a tour. The tour was filled with adventures, from entering the field through the players’ tunnel to a trip to the gift shop to try on some Packers gear. To conclude their time at Lambeau, campers participated in a scavenger hunt across the Packers Hall of Fame.
Before departing Green Bay, Machon made a pit stop at the Green Bay Zoo to enjoy the wildlife. After departing, they made their way to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point for an Impossible Burger barbecue and some time to rest in the dorms before continuing their adventures.
Continuing across Wisconsin, campers spent the next day at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort in the Wisconsin Dells! The ever-popular waterpark was a blast, with both Sam B and Noa S’s favorite part being the roller coasters.
“I was able to be with different people who I’m not always with, and we filled an entire car for one of the roller coasters with all Ramah people, and it was really, really fun,” Noa said.
That night, the bus traveled to Madison, where Ramah joined several other Jewish camps across the state (Beber, OSRUI, Chi, Interlaken, and Young Judea) for a Madison Mallards Jewish Sports Day organized by Camp Chi! After a lovely dinner — and some Mallards swag — Machon got the chance to share their Jewish pride by leading Ma’ariv for anyone interested in joining.
“It was fun meeting kids from other camps and getting to show them who Ramah really is,” Sam said.
Noa agreed, adding that “I have people that I know from the other camps, so it’s good to connect with them and meet their friends and other people from other Jewish camps because I like to meet other people from the Jewish communtiy.
After spending the night at Beth Israel Center in Madison, campers got to tour the historic University of Wisconsin — Madison campus, highlighted by a bagel breakfast at Hillel and a visit to the iconic State Street. On State Street, everyone participated in a photo scavenger hunt that took them up and down Madison.
For Sam, who had just been to Madison, seeing a different side of the city was a highlight.
“One of the high points was just being able to walk around State Street,” he said.
As Tisha B’Av neared, campers prepared to commemorate the day in a different way.
Instead of spending Wednesday evening on the floor of the Bet Am with the rest of camp, Machon led Eicha for the Milwaukee Jewish community of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid. After spending the night there, campers led Eicha again in the morning before heading out to Doctor’s Park to close out the trip.
For Noa, commemorating Tisha B’Av is a tradition that goes beyond camp, and she appreciated seeing how others celebrate the day.
“It was meaningful for us to see how other people commemorate and their traditions,” Noa said.
Before the trip, Sam had never experienced Tisha B’Av outside of Conover. It was a powerful first experience.
“Being in the shul showed me what Tisha B’Av is outside of camp, so that was cool,” he said.
Overall, the trip was a time for the entire eidah to connect before their final reva (quarter) of camp.
“The eidah bonded so beautifully during the planned activities as well as the important in-between moments on the trip,” Levitt said.
