Spotlight on Nivonim
The oldest eidah in camp is Nivonim, for campers entering 11th grade. Everyone looks forward to their Nivonim summer because it means being the oldest campers in camp, which comes with extra privileges and extra responsibilities. The Nivonim campers are the role models for the younger campers and in that position, they have the opportunity to do many exciting things around camp, such as being counselors-in-training (CITs) and having internships in the different departments around camp. The Nivonim also have many special programs, such as their two-day trip to Wausau and their three-day campouts in the Porcupine Mountains in Upper Michigan.
Ben Davis (Rosh Nivonim): I started as a camper here in 1996 and was a camper for five years and then went on Ramah Seminar in Israel. This is my seventh year on staff, and my second summer as Rosh Nivonim. I love working with this age group. They are able to have more complicated and involved programming. The structure of the Nivonim program itself also has a lot more freedom allowing for the more innovative and creative programming. It's a challenge for me, and that's what I like about it.
We get to do a lot of special projects, such as the Israel at 60 program. It is the kind of program that could only really work in Nivonim because we had the freedom in our structure to be planning the program throughout the entire summer.
The Nivonim age group is special because they are still campers, so they want to have a lot of fun and they have a lot of energy, and they love being with their friends. At the same time, they are also on the cusp of being on staff, so they're ready to take on more leadership positions in camp, whether it's being CITs for younger eidot in camp or having an internship in one of the activity areas around camp. They get both sides-the fun, energetic, engaged camper side and the staff side where they're taking on more serious roles in the camp.
The Nivonim staff first and foremost are role models for the campers as they begin to take on these extra responsibilities. For example, whenever the Nivonim staff run a Shabbat discussion group for the Nivonim campers, they're role-modeling because next week the Nivonim campers will be running Shabbat discussion groups for some of the younger eidot. The staff are showing the campers how to act, not only in two years when they will be on staff, but also this summer.
I'm looking forward to our play tonight, which is really exciting. I'm also looking forward to this coming Shabbat because the CITs have planned Shabbat programs for the younger eidot, so all the eidot except Machon will be having Shabbat programs planned by Nivonim.
Benjamin C. (Nivonim): My favorite part of being in Nivonim is the freedom we get, especially how we get to hang out in Beito. Beito is Rabbi Soloff's house and it has a lounge area where we can sit and have food and hang out. It's really nice to spend time with the eidah there.
Jacob R. (Nivonim): My favorite part of Nivonim is the internship that we all get to participate in. I work at the waterfront teaching kids how to sail. So, not only do I get to sail myself, but I also get to make relationships with kids in the other eidot, people I probably would have never talked to if it wasn't for the internship.
Jessica (Nivonim): I really like the CIT program, because I get to experience camp as a counselor, but I also get the freedom and luxuries of being a camper. As CITs we get to plan a peulat tzrif for our cabin and we work together with the other Nivonim CITs. We also plan a Shabbat for the younger eidot. It's cool because you get to see what a counselor does, to a certain extent. It makes me want to come back on staff.
Eliza A. (Nivonim): My favorite thing about being in Nivonim is how close our eidah has become through the years. And now we're living on the Givah together, and we're basically in one big cabin together. It's really a great experience. You get so much closer to everyone and you can trust anyone in the eidah. I love that about camp.