We’re racing and pacing and plotting the course, fighting and biting and riding on our horse…

So maybe this “Cake” song doesn’t exactly fit here, but it does describe how we are ‘Going the Distance’ to prepare for Camp Ideal this summer! Camp is on the brain for all of the JFed staff, and I couldn’t be more excited for summer to begin! A few updates about what’s going on at the Federation before I cover some great programs we have coming up.

If you haven’t taken a stroll through the Federation trails this past year, you have been missing out! After completing the new trail and building two Machanot (camps) for Camp Ideal, we extended the trails and built a third benched location. Take the time to visit and hear the sounds of the forest, and if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one of our red foxes who play among the fallen trees.

By the time you are reading this, we should also have completed work on our Low Ropes course, a project in the works since last summer! These challenge courses can be enjoyed by children and adults alike by organizing a time with the Federation. If you haven’t heard of a Low Ropes course before, be sure to ask a staff member or come see them for yourselves!

The Ideal Garden is also planted and waiting for families to come and enjoy. There is room to plant your own vegetables or flowers, or help keep the garden growing by volunteering an hour to weed and prune what is already planted! Come July, we hope to have plenty of produce to offer in our Shi’Shuk market on Fridays run by the campers.

Another program to look forward to this month are the NEXTGen hike at Potato Creek. Last year we had a great turnout and explored together in perfect weather. This year, we hope to invite a local forager to show our hikers what wild plants to be on the lookout for that are edible! We also invite the community back for our annual Inter-Generation lunch at Camp Ideal. It’s a chance to see the campers in action and enjoy a beautiful served picnic outside at the Federation. We will also invite guests to learn some traditional Israeli dances with the kids! With so much to look forward to, I can hardly wait to see your smiling faces back at the Federation this Summer. As always, I am happy to talk with anyone about programming ideas or suggestions. My door is always open!

Dan Ravitch
Programming Director
574-233-1164 x1819
[email protected]