Every Day Is a Fun Day at Camp L’Man Achai

The second session of Camp L’Man Achai, an overnight camp for Jewish kids across America, was filled with high doses of Yiddishkeit in an atmosphere of non-stop chayus and fun.

The second session at Camp L’man Achai started with a bang as many new campers from around the country joined, diving right into the fun. The adventure began with a challenging scenic two-and-a-half-mile hike down the slopes of the Upper Catskills Mountains, ending at New York City’s Pepacton Reservoir. Despite the lengthy trek, it provided plenty of bonding time for everyone.

Continuing with the excitement at camp, a few days into the session the campers enjoyed a trip to Aquatopia water park, where they met other frum camps and made the most of their time swimming and enjoying the water before the Nine Days. The Teens and the BMD bunk even got to visit a beautiful waterfall, where they splashed in the crashing waters .

The camp began the Nine Days with Color War kicking off with both teams presenting talented skits, TBH (Torah by Heart), and a variety of creative relay races, including navigating a human obstacle course and racing while holding a chicken, and the classic egg under the chin race. Later on, each team presented their self composed theme songs.

At the end of the day the first team, Team Kosher, put on an incredible play set in CLA, where a counselor explained to a camper the importance of keeping kosher, even in challenging environments like public school. He narrated stories of Jews through generations, including a heroic tale from the Spanish Inquisition, where someone risked their life to ensure kosher food for the Jewish community.

Team Tefillin, followed with an equally fantastic play. It also began with a counselor explaining to a camper the importance of wearing tefillin, emphasizing its significance even outside the Jewish environment. They shared stories from various points in Jewish history where Jews risked their lives to wear tefillin. Bringing it to the current situation happening in Israel, stories were told which involved the hostages.  Both plays were outstanding, leaving everyone awed and inspired.

The next day, the teenagers went on an exhilarating paintball shooting trip, definitely having a great time. When rain poured down for the next two days, camp was turned into a muddy playground. Despite the weather, the campers and counselors had a blast sliding down hills in the mud and playing “Steal the Salami.” One camper remarked that it was one of the most fun days he’d had in a long time because, at CLA, every day is a fun day.