Back for its 17th summer and better than ever, Gavz Boyz, an action-packed travel camp experience geared to at-risk teens kicked off with a lavish barbecue hosted by Rochelle and Mel Lishitz in Lawrence this past Monday night.

Gavz Boyz, a division of Amudim Community Resources, is a four-week program filled with thrilling adventures and activities designed to keep participants constantly on the move, keeping the camp fresh and novel. Now in its second year under the auspices of Amudim, Gavz Boyz is run by Yoni Rosenblum, Moshe Frankel and a team of five counselors, providing campers with the opportunity to find themselves and make new friends while experiencing immense personal growth.

Both staff and campers are excited to begin their journey on the all-new Gavz Boyz van, donated by the Zakheim family in memory of Shlomo Zakheim. In the upcoming weeks, the program will take the group of 15 boys, who come from New York, New Jersey and as far away as Israel, on an excursion throughout the United States where the extensive itinerary will include caving, jet skiing, rock climbing and scuba diving.

Among the many sponsors whose generosity makes Gavz Boyz possible are Rena and Shalom Vegh of Westwood Realty and Gourmet Glatt’s Yoeli Steinberg and Moshe Ratner, who will be providing fabulous meals throughout the summer.