What’s New in Teva for 2018

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By Charlie Resnick

Greetings from the Pocono Mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania. Many of us at camp leave our homes in the cities and suburbs for these hills during the summer. One of the most appealing factors of coming to camp is to be immersed in the outdoors. The forests surrounding camp are mostly deciduous, harboring such species as the Oak, Chestnut, Birch, and Maple. The Bethlehem Water Reservoir shares a property line with camp. The forests that the two properties share are protected from development. This preserves the health and drinkability of the water and maintains the wild nature of these woods.

The Teva department provides fun and safe experiences in these forests for all those who attend camp. During standard program days, we lead hikes of all ages of campers into the woods surrounding camp. Here, we might learn how to build a survival shelter, play a game of camouflage, and learn how to identify plant and animal species native to this region. We host groups of campers in the garden and at the farm (where we tend to two goats and ten chickens) to explore concepts in ecology and agriculture. It is here that many individuals are introduced to the idea of growing or raising their own food. Also featured in the Teva department are the Tzofim, delegates from the Israeli version of the Scouts of America. With the Tzofim the campers learn facts about Israel and skills in cooking over an open fire.

We have introduced a number of improvements in Teva this summer. Last year we hosted a fishing program which we have phased out of our regular rotation. While some campers enjoy this activity, it is unsustainable as a regular program and does not contribute much to the campers understanding of their relationship with nature. This change in programming allows our staff members to be free to lead other activities. We do bring the rods out on Saturdays during Camper Free Choice.

The Galil Hike is legendary among campers, staff, and alumni. For this event, the Teva staff lead one or two Galil bunks on a ten mile hike on the Appalachian Trail near the Delaware Water Gap. Previously, the group would hike the first eight miles to a campsite on the ridge, spend the night there, and hike down to a road the next morning to be picked up for their return to camp. This posed a variety of challenges for the staff and campers, and not necessarily the kind we encourage here at camp. We have altered the hike procedure to overcome some of these challenges. The group will now hike the entire ten miles to a group campsite at Worthington State Forest, a much more comfortable and established site than the one we stayed at previously. A supervisor of the Teva department will meet them there, having driven a vehicle with the tents, sleeping bags, and dinner supplies that the group will need for the night. This way, the campers do not have to carry nearly as much weight during the hike and can instead spend their energy enjoying themselves. The supervisor will provide relief for the staff who lead the hike.

At camp we are always growing and improving, learning from our mistakes and turning our weaknesses into strengths. It is only in such a supportive community that we can do so. It seems all too appropriate that this takes place in such an idyllic location, nestled in the foothills amidst the wonderful and wild woods of the Poconos.

Charlie Resnick is from Arlington, Virginia. This is his 4th summer at Camp Harlam and his 2nd summer as the Teva Supervisor.