Before Sukkot, students, faculty and administration of the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High school excitedly boarded buses and drove to the Poconos for their annual Tiyul Biet Sifri schoolwide trip. This year, the RKYHS community traveled to the great facilities of the 350 acre Pocono Valley Resort. Students were able to go out on paddle boats, row boats, and canoes. Teachers and students played basketball, football, mini-golf, tennis and more. Teachers and students zip-lined over Lake Akiba and challenged themselves on intricate rope courses set in beautiful woods twenty and thirty feet above the ground. Many teachers and students pushed themselves to accomplish things that they did not believe they could do.

After enjoying a beautiful day of outdoor activities and bonding, students enjoyed a campfire where they toasted marshmallows, sang songs and told stories catching one another up about the summer and the exciting start of the new school year. The event was concluded by a beautiful barbecue served by administration and other dedicated members of the faculty. As the sun went down over the Poconos the RKYHS community then enjoyed a beautiful kumzitz led by RKYHS faculty members Mr. Levy, Rabbi Erps and Rabbi Schlusselberg on guitars and drums displaying some of their passions and beyond the classroom talents. Students were also able to share their talents and interests with peers and faculty beyond the classroom.

The day provided many opportunities for students and faculty to shmooze and get to know each other in a relaxed setting. Providing students with recreation in beautiful settings created a context for powerful and informal learning opportunities.

In all, this event was a magnificent way to start the school year. Students, faculty and administration took advantage of an ideal time and place to get to know one another setting the foundation for an outstanding year.

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