Spotlight on Ya'ar Etgar [challenge course]

Participation in the Ya'ar Etgar is an integral part of the Camp Ramah experience. The Ya'ar Etgar directly supports one of the missions of the camp by strengthening the tzrif [cabin] bond and helping chanichim [campers] and madrichim [counselors] learn how to communicate effectively, work productively, and be supportive of each other. Via a series of icebreaking games, warm-up activities, and elements in the Ya'ar Etgar, participants are challenged to move away from the notion of individual success and to think of ways to enable group success. This year, almost all tzrifim from Garinim, Halutzim, Sollelim, and Shoafim completed Ya'ar Etgar; the Bogrim did another challenge course during their overnight.

Alana S. (Halutzim Camper): We really bonded as a cabin. The most challenging part of it was the jump rope - we all had to make it though the jump rope without skipping a beat!

Eli L. (Shoafim Camper): I really liked the seesaw activity. We had to balance on the seesaw as a cabin. It was difficult figuring out how to make the weight equal on both sides.

Matthew T., aka Teppy (Bogrim counselor/Drama Staff): Ya'ar Etgar taught us a lot about teamwork. The Bogrim staff did it before the campers arrived, and it amplified our sense of team spirit and community. We call ourselves "Team Bogrim" because we operate as a cohesive unit!

Rebecca M. (Sollelim Camper): Our cabin bonded because of Ya'ar Etgar. One of the challenges was to go over and under a rope - while holding hands! We listened to each other's ideas in order to succeed at the task.

Audrey W. (Bogrim camper): The zip-line was such a thrill! Our overnight brought our cabin closer together. Doing a ropes course forces people to acknowledge what they're scared of, such as a fear of heights. We managed to make it through!

Jordan H. and Josh C. (Halutzim campers): The best part of Ya'ar Etgar was the wall. We had to get over a ten-foot wall. Two people lifted up everyone and two people stood on the wall to pull people up. It was the most difficult part of Ya'ar Etgar.

Jessie L. (Shoafim counselor): Shoafim staff completed Ya'ar Etgar during staff week. My favorite part was when we all had to stand on a box together, because it forced us - both physically and mentally - to come together as a group and support each other. When I went with my cabin on Ya'ar Etgar, the girls cheered each other on and helped one another. I love Ya'ar Etgar!

Check out the Bunk1 photo gallery for more pictures of Ya'ar Etgar!