OSRUI: Retreat builds Kehilah,community, Kehilah (clap)

Our 5th and 6th grade retreat was last weekend with Or Shalom.  We had a wonderful time and I think as a result more students are thinking about making the jump to chanichim (campers). They also deepened their friendships with Lakeside friends and met new Or Shalom friends.  This weekend a few of our students will be joining Or Shalom on their Youth group trip to Dave and Busters.  It's all a win-win for us.

 I am always happy and excited to see how our students connect with one another, the other congregation and just connect with camp.  It was a cold weekend but we enjoyed ourselves.  From camp-like T'filot, to eating in the Chader Ochel, (dining hall) and running around on a scavenger hunt it was a packed weekend.  We went with Micah Brandhandler our URJ Camp Fellow and he was also able to program and connect with all of our students.  Both Micah and I get questions about how families can help pay for camp.  Here are some FAQ's about OSRUI:

• Lakeside Congregation offers modest scholarships to OSRUI and email me if you need a form at Educator@lakesidecongregation.org

• When you register for camp with OSRUI, you must put down a deposit.  The standard deposit is $400 per camper per session and may be paid via credit card or check.  If you are applying for a scholarship, you may pay $200 per camper by check only.  OSRUI cannot confirm your child’s enrollment or hold his/her spot until they receive the check.

• OSRUI Scholarship forms are available on the Tuition Assistance page of their website.  They are due within 14 days of the date you register your camper.  http://osrui.urjcamps.org/register/tuition_assistance_and_savings/  If you have questions about scholarships, please contact Susan Alexander, OSRUI Associate Director: salexander@urj.org   847-239-6980.

• For campers attending a session for the first time for 19 days or longer (even if you’ve attended a shorter session in the past), you can apply for a grant from One Happy Camper. These grants are not need based.  See their website for more information and to apply:  /http://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/

I hope this helps set you on the path to camp.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me.  Here is the the link to the iMovie about our weekend.