Camp Avoda
Camp Avoda is a Jewish boys' overnight camp located on Tispaquin Pond in Middleboro, Massachusetts. It has been in continuous operation since the summer of 1927[1], making it the oldest Jewish boys' camp in New England [2][3].
History
Camp Avoda was established in early 1927 by an organization then known as the Young Men's Hebrew Association[4]. The camp was established to serve the needs of underprivileged Jewish boys. Originally, the bunks were essentially "huts" and had no screening or walls. Today the campers sleep in basic cabins which were built at various times between the late 1950s and early 1980s. Many bunks have had extensions annexed to them after the great rise in attendance in the middle 1990s.
Today the camp is a non-profit entity operated by a Board of Directors and duly incorporated as Camp Avoda, Inc. It serves the needs of 125-150 campers per session.
Camp Avoda is located on a 50 acre tract of land on on Tispaquin Pond in Middleborough, Massachusetts. However, more than half of that land is wooded area which is used for hiking, camping, and a high-elements ropes course which was constructed in 1999.
The camp is well known for its unique layout. All 8 cabins, the recreation hall, the C.I.T. "bungalow", the shower houses, two administrator cabins, and the "OD shack" surround the large ball field, where all field sports are played. The small size of this camp grants it what many consider a very "intimate" feeling.
Paul G. Davis is currently the Executive Director of the Camp, a position he has been in since the late 1960s; he has been employed as an administrator since 1966, making him one of the longest serving camp directors in the United States[citation needed]. The main director is currently Ken Schiffman, announced March 10th 2008[5]. Camp Avoda has a 7 1/2 week season, which includes a 3 1/2 week long first session and a 4-week second session. Each summer there are 32-40 junior and senior counselors ranging between ages 17-24. Almost all counselors were once campers at Camp Avoda, and most are typically college students.
Today, most campers reside in the Greater Boston area, including the heavily Jewish populated towns of Newton and Sharon, Massachusetts. However, many campers come from New York City, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California, and some have come from as far away as Israel, Canada, Spain, and Venezuela.
Tradition
Camp Avoda is one of the only summer camps in the world, where any given summer, all or almost all counselors were once Avoda campers and successful graduates of the Avoda Counselor-in-training (C.I.T.) program.[citation needed]
"Avodians" describe themselves as sharing a "special bond." Today, Avodians can be found throughout the United States and the World. In 2002 Camp Avoda celebrated its 75th Anniversary and over 1,000 Avodians throughout the World embarked upon Camp Avoda to revel in the festivities.
Trips
Every Thursday, except during Color War, is a trip day. Trips include Six Flags New England, a Red Sox Game, Water Country, etc. In addition, there are choice trips, in which campers are given the option to choose which trip they would like to go on (there are usually 3-4 options). There are also optional trips, which are different from choice trips, in that you can choose not to go on any of them. Optional trips include the annual fishing trip, the Bunk 14 overnight (which is pretty much mandatory for Bunk 14'ers to attend), and the Senior Canoe Trip.
Tournaments
Avoda competes in many tournaments with rival camps including Camp Bauercrest, Bournedale, Young Judea, and Tevya. Avoda also attends many tournaments including the Bournedale and YJ tournaments. Avoda also hosts its own tournament. In this tournament the sports are soccer and basketball.
Bunk 14
Bunk 14, also known as "The Betty Grable Commandos" is the bunk of the oldest campers at Avoda. Typically it houses 15-year-olds entering the 10th grade. With Bunk 14 comes special privileges (such as the ability to bring TV's, Video Game Systems, and walk around camp after Call to Quarters) and automatic "alumni" status. Many alumni are often identified and identify themselves, by their Bunk 14 Year.
Color War
For many staff and campers alike is the highlight and culmination of the summer. During the last week of the summer, the camp is split up into two teams, "white" and "blue" consisting of 7 or 8 staff members per team, usually: 1 General, 4 or 5 Lieutenants, and 2 Aides. Color War takes place over 6 days. One of the traditions of Color War is the silent meals. This doesn't apply to any of the Color War staff members, captains, or judges. If you are caught talking during any of the 18 meals (6 days, 3 meals a day), points will automatically be deducted from your team. The winner is usually announced through a fixed race or game of some sort, in which the counselors representing the winning team win. The winning team then proceeds to jump in the lake, celebrating for up to half an hour with their victorious teammates and staff members.
Alumni Association
The Avoda Alumni Association is an active and integral part of Avoda's success. Since 1987, the Camp Avoda Alumni Association has hosted a full weekend dedicated to Alumni events, which typically takes place the weekend before the campers arrive at camp[6]. It is common for Alumni members to stop by throughout the summer to interact with the current staff and campers. While visiting, the alumni members are able to participate in the alumni's which they have (Bunk 1, Bunk 12, Bunk 14).
In addition to the "Alumni Weekend" the Avoda Alumni Association has many events throughout the off-season at various Massachusetts locations, including: Billiard Nights, Family Day at Gilette Stadium, and the annual Thanksgiving Football Game in Cleveland Circle. The Alumni Association engages in many fundraising and charitable endeavors aimed at providing scholarships to campers for the summers.
References
- ^ Staff, Peterson (2003). Summer Opportunities for Kids and Teenagers 2004. Thompson Peterson's. pp. p. 275. ISBN 0768911583.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Jewish Camping and Summer Programs retrieved on May 4, 2008
- ^ A Parent's Guide to Jewish Day and Overnight Camps retrieved on May 4, 2008
- ^ Reckford, Laura. Frommer's Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard 2008. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, (2008), p. 109.
- ^ Ken Shifman Named Director retrieved on 4/31/2008.
- ^ [1] retrieved on May 1, 2008