Read interviews with OSRUI campers

Rabbi Bob often says that sending our children to Jewish summer camp is one of the best ways to strengthen their ties to Judaism. Countless Etz Chaim parents can attest to the truth of that statement! Our campers feel the same way. Read (in their own, unedited words) what some had to say about their experiences at camp. View Slideshow

I had a lot of fun at camp this summer. I loved making amazing new friends and having new experiences in Moshavah. The trips were really hard, but they were really rewarding. This summer was the best summer of my life! I encourage any kids at Etz Chaim to sign up for next summer, and have the greatest time of their life! Becca

My experiences at OSRUI this year were, as they always are, absolutely amazing. This was my third summer at camp and I definitelyhad the best time this summer. The past two years I had gone only for two weeks, but this time I went for a month. Everyone really got to know everyone else a lot better this year since we lived together for four weeks. Besides things that I had in common with them such as sports and school experiences, we also all shared the common thread of Judaism. This thread connected us all together, despite our many differences. We all had similar experiences and knowledge. I get a feeling there that I don’t get anywhere else. Though we’re a Jewish community here at Etz Chaim, it’s a different type of community at camp. Here we all live in the same area, but at OSRUI we come from all over, and it’s remarkable to find how similar everyone’s religious beliefs and experiences are. I get a feeling there that I don’t get anywhere else and I really feel connected to my Jewish identity. Going to OSRUI is a great experience, and if you’ve been there, you know what I mean. Katie

Camp was a lot of fun! I made a lot of new friends in Tzofim. All my counselors were really nice. I even got to see my friends from last year and my friends from temple in different units! I really like shabbat because everyone's together and happy. We sing fun songs and do hand motions. I was nervous about sleeping in a tent for two weeks but my counselors made me feel better and after the first night I had a lot of fun. I love camp!!!!!! Becky

I really like camp. One of my favorite things in camp was Shabbat. One of my chugim was media. In the media chug, we got to make movies and a podcast. My other chug was cooking where we made chocolate chip banana pancakes..they were really good! I also liked playing at the waterfront. It was great on hot days to be at the waterfront. This year was my fifth year at OSRUI and I got a 5 year camper t-shirt! Brandon

OSRUI is awesome!!! I really like the chugs because you get to choose which one you want to do. My chug was drama! I really liked Shabbat...the chicken was really good. Swimming in the lake is really fun on a hot day. Lights out programs are very fun every night, too. My cabin was very nice and I made lots of new friends. Audrey

"My favorite part of OSRUI is bumper kayaks - when you go kayaking in the lake, you can bump into people. The water is so clear, you can see fish and froggies. You get to go pontooning very far. Sometimes you get to see giant, giant fish there. Everyday, I got to see Rabbi Cosnowsky!" Jacob

"This is for anybody who is nervous to go, but is thinking of it. OSRUI is the best experience you will have in your entire life, you will meet people you will know forever, and you can go back every summer and see them. It's even more special because you live with them for 2, 4 or 8 weeks!" Hannah

Camp was so much fun. The counselors were really cool. One of my favorite things was to hang out with Jewish kids from all over the world, like Colorado, Miami, Minnesota, Paris, Michigan and Arizona. I did Mosh this year and the trips were sweet! My favorite trip was hiking because you get to hang out with your friends and hike all around the Kettle Moraine (21 miles). My counselor, Deron, was from Israel and he knew all about the wild life. It was really cool. Mosh was my favorite unit at OSRUI and this was my fourth year. Max

Camp was an amazing experience that I will never forget. You meet many new friends and keep your old friends from past summers. OSRUI plans many activities that always keep you busy and are fun to do. I strongly recommend letting your child go to OSRUI for part of the summer, I'm sure they'll love it there! Hannah

This year at camp I was in Mosh Aleph and I had the time of my life. I went on the canoeing, hiking, and climbing trips and they were all so much fun. At camp I also made some great new friends while I kept relationships with others, and my counselors were also amazing. I hope to go back to camp next year for my fifth year at camp in Mosh Bet. David

Camp is a great experience to be with other people who are like you because you don't get to be with a lot of Jews at school. This year we learned about "giborim" - or heroes - and what makes up a hero. We also learned a lot of Hebrew, and it was fun playing in the lake (we had swim lessons and free swim). If you haven't gone to camp yet, I recommend you coming next year. Sarah

My favorite part about camp was meeting friends, Shabbat sherah (sing along), and meeting our counselors. I met a lot of new friends this year from all over the Midwest. Some live in cities close by. During mornings we went to the lake and some people did fun actvities such as kayaking, pontooning and tubing, while other people had swimming lessons and free swim. In our discussion group, we talked about the qualities of a hero. I learned a lot of new Hebrew this year too Jessica