TOSS 2014 Camping trip- Finding our Path Cohort 17

Our Diller camping retreat kicked off as we arrived at the Mother Lode River Center, where we would camp the night a river raft the next day on the American River. As we arrived, we quickly took note of the weather, as it was scorching hot! Danny, Samara’s (a fellow) father, came along the ride and cooked for us amazing meals, and to start the retreat we quickly ate lunch and started with some fun activities. 

Even though it was incredibly hot,  we still managed to have fun and meaningful activities, such as a trust walk—led by Jacob and Micah— and an arts and crafts based Tikkun Olam activity—led by Micah, to get the fellows thinking about all the different things Tikkun Olam can mean.

 After some free time, dinner was served, and we set up our sleeping arrangements for the night, however most of us slept under the stars. Soon after, Caroline led a program that called for the fellows to write heartfelt and touching letters to IDF soldiers, to remind them of our support and gratefulness. As the sun started to set, Micah and Claire led a campfire, with s’mores and songs, followed by a discussion about our upcoming senior years. To finish the day, Phillip and Gabi led the Maagal layla, right before our night under the stars.

-Micah Light 

During our night next to the river we slept out under the stars. It was gorgeous and some of us even saw a shooting star. The next day we had a delicious breakfast, graciously prepared by Danny Meyer. After breakfast Sam and Jay led a morning service, they gave us time to reflect and think about life while praying. 

We then had free time and people played catch and sang songs. We had a hurried lunch before we set out on the river. For many people this was their first time out on the river so there were definitely some nerves. However, those nerves quickly past. The riverboat guides were excellent, funny and nice. They calmly led us down the river and through the rapids. It was a gorgeous day on the river and even though the water was freezing we quickly warmed when we got back on the boat. There was an opportunity for us to jump off a rock into the water and although that was scary it was an exhilarating experience. 

We got back from the river and after a brief evaluation of the trip got on bus bound for the city. We got back a little after eight. We had a fantastic trip and memories for a life time.

-Jacob Ganz