Exuberant shouts of “Rule the Forest!” heard when accomplishing a feat at Yagilu Wilderness will resound this coming summer as Yagilu introduces two new camping programs. In addition to its survival and wilderness program, there will be nature and farm camps in 2015 for boys. Yagilu Wilderness, located in the forest of the Camp Morasha campus, is directed by Rabbi Tani Prero, an avid outdoorsman and wilderness adventure therapist. Prero served as director of the outdoor adventure camp, Yaalozu, at Camp Dora Golding for 10 years before launching Yagilu.
Through exposure to nature, physical challenges, teamwork, and spirituality, campers are motivated to achieve and experience personal growth. “I want to give them the ability to notice the world around them. Once they notice their beautiful surroundings, it will affect them,” said Prero. “My goal is to inspire them, to see that they can achieve great things, that they have tremendous capabilities. I want them to find personal meaning in their lives and in Judaism, and to come out with real survival, nature, or farming skills. I hope that they will then be able to communicate these ideals to others.”
The nature camp, for boys entering 7th and 8th grades, provides regular camp activities along with nature activities. The boys will live in tents in the forest and participate in sports, swimming, day hikes, and a river trip, along with wilderness crafts such as knot tying and fire making. They will learn to identify plants and trees as well as their usefulness. Reading maps and maneuvering through trails without a compass, are orientation skills the boys will master. In addition, they will be taught about the movements, eating patterns, and identification of forest animals.
Yagilu Farm (Y4M) is geared towards 13- to 18-year-old boys who enjoy nature and caring for animals. A maximum of 10 boys will participate in a program that combines physical activity with a relaxing summer experience. Along with caring for chickens, sheep, and other animals, the boys will grow small crops of vegetables. Campers will connect to their internal sense of serenity as they partake in different types of Jewish meditation. Campers from the nature and farm camps will have the opportunity to join the rest of the Yagilu campers during Shabbat meals, davening, bonfires, and other activities.
Through a special mentoring and role modeling program led by Prero, boys 15 years and older will learn how to guide the younger campers in camping activities. They will learn practical concepts–like how to light a fire, as well as talking to the campers about their expectations and fears. “It’s excellent training in communication if they want to be teachers, counselors, or business people,” said Prero.
Last summer, approximately 60 teenage boys participated in Yagilu Wilderness. Campers on the first level slept in tents, learned a variety of survival skills, and trekked on one to three-day hikes, among other adventures. Second-year campers learned camouflage, wilderness cooking, food prep, built and slept in their own tree houses, and hiked for 10 days. They learned the halachot of eruvin and food preparation to properly prepare their campsite for Shabbat. Third-year campers displayed increased efficiency at using maps and compasses during their weeklong bushwhack, clearing terrain devoid of trails. They also conquered the challenge of reaching five mountaintops on their own initiative.
Campers also participated in team-building games designed to promote planning and coordination, which foster appreciation among peers. “They prompt campers to be creative, take initiative, and find diverse solutions to their problems. It’s exciting to see them get inspired,” said Prero.
The physical challenges and team-building activities united the campers, according to Y2 camper and TABC student Yosef Goldblatt. ”It brought everyone together, and we made real friendships that are more meaningful. We developed a sense of trust. We knew everyone had each other’s back.”
Judaism is emphasized at Yagilu in a subtle and sensitive manner during davening, Shabbat, and daily learning. A half hour in the morning and an hour at night is dedicated to traditional learning, such as gemorrah and halacha. Rabbi Mordechai Willig and Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, both rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva University, taught at Camp Morasha’s Kollel and addressed the Yagilu campers several times. Rabbi Willig held a halachic question-and-answer session related to issues that arise in the camp and forest environment. Jewish learning is also incorporated throughout the day. For example, learning about plants is linked to Torah sources dealing with the subject or using Perek Shira as a source when learning about the character of animals.
Prero reflected on the special Shabbat atmosphere and feedback from some campers that it was the first time they loved Shabbat, or from a parent that their child now enjoys davening. “The Shabbosim are most likely the best I will ever have in my life. They are fun and spiritual and really connect you,” said Goldblatt
Registration will be accepted for one month or full summer sessions. For more information, contact Tani Prero at [email protected] or 877-773-7606 and Camp Morasha at www.campmorasha.com/yagilu or (718) 252-9696 for an application.
By Shelley Fisher
