Our Program
Lech~Lecha לך לך Teens is a fun, adventurous, one-week outdoor Backpacking experience for Jewish teens. Close-knit groups, ten to fifteen teens and two to three guides, will embark on an epic journey together in the wilderness. We'll create a supportive and laughter-filled environment for teens of all backgrounds, fostering social connection and personal growth.
There's nothing like nature to bond us together - group challenges, wilderness skills, bonfires, guitars, star-gazing, and creative projects - check out our weekly schedule, below, for program content details.
There's nothing like nature to bond us together - group challenges, wilderness skills, bonfires, guitars, star-gazing, and creative projects - check out our weekly schedule, below, for program content details.
Where?
This summer we'll be exploring the gorgeous Appalachian forests of Connecticut (Session 1), Maryland (Session 2), and New Hampshire (Session 3).
The Connecticut location is a bit over 2 hours from NYC and a 4 hour ride from Boston and Philly.
The Maryland location is 2.5 hours from DC and 3 hours from NYC.
Our New Hampshire destination is a bit over 2 hours from Boston and 5 hours from NYC.
The Connecticut location is a bit over 2 hours from NYC and a 4 hour ride from Boston and Philly.
The Maryland location is 2.5 hours from DC and 3 hours from NYC.
Our New Hampshire destination is a bit over 2 hours from Boston and 5 hours from NYC.
WHEN
Session 1: Connecticut: Tuesday June 22nd - Sunday June 27th
Session 2: Maryland: Tuesday June 29th - Sunday July 4th
Session 3: New Hampshire: Tuesday August 10th - Sunday August 15th
Session 2: Maryland: Tuesday June 29th - Sunday July 4th
Session 3: New Hampshire: Tuesday August 10th - Sunday August 15th
What
An epic 6-day backpacking journey. Discovering together, laughing together, learning about ourselves and the wilderness, getting super close to incredible friends, learning about our heritage and celebrating Shabbat in the woods.
High quality tents and communal gear are provided. Upon registration you will receive a packing that includes, among other things, a backpacking backpack, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad. Otherwise, all gear is provided.
High quality tents and communal gear are provided. Upon registration you will receive a packing that includes, among other things, a backpacking backpack, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad. Otherwise, all gear is provided.
Who: GENDER & AGE
All genders are invited to journey together with us. Our trek is open to all rising 8th, 9th & 10th graders.
flexible pricing
We are committed to equity. Cost is a sliding scale: $320 - $820, based on financial ability. We do not request any private financial information but trust your judgment on your family's ability to contribute.
Our Core Values
1. Pluralism: Tikkun Olam, bettering our world, is founded upon an appreciation of the unique role of each individual, including ourselves!
2. Curiosity: Growth requires engaging the unfamiliar, facing and overcoming challenges - together, supporting each other.
3. Celebration: Life is good, let's enjoy it together
2. Curiosity: Growth requires engaging the unfamiliar, facing and overcoming challenges - together, supporting each other.
3. Celebration: Life is good, let's enjoy it together
Schedule & Day in the Life
Educational Models
1. Experience: Learning by doing, feeling, working, running, building, dancing.
2. Immersion: Spending a week together bonds us as a group.
3. Leadership: Lech~Lecha לך לך challenges our youth to contribute, to design, and to create.
2. Immersion: Spending a week together bonds us as a group.
3. Leadership: Lech~Lecha לך לך challenges our youth to contribute, to design, and to create.
COVID-19
The particular COVID-19 protocol in place this coming summer remains unclear. Various factors will influence the extent of vaccination, testing, and isolation that will be required prior to participation as well as the distancing, mask wearing, and addition precautions we will be taking during our journeys.
That being said, we at Lech Lecha ~ לך לך are so grateful to have successfully modeled safe and healthy outdoor gatherings last summer strictly abiding to local and national COVID protocol in consultation with medical professionals and will continue to do so this summer in whichever ways necessary.
In lieu of the continued uncertainty in trail closures and the like, many of our dates are still in process of being confirmed, so please express interest and stay tuned.
That being said, we at Lech Lecha ~ לך לך are so grateful to have successfully modeled safe and healthy outdoor gatherings last summer strictly abiding to local and national COVID protocol in consultation with medical professionals and will continue to do so this summer in whichever ways necessary.
In lieu of the continued uncertainty in trail closures and the like, many of our dates are still in process of being confirmed, so please express interest and stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Friends: Who's joining me? Can I come with a friend? Group of friends?
We all have different goals - some may want to meet new friends, some want to have a chance to connect with old friends, and some of us want both. Most of our programs will be for individual campers from a variety of backgrounds and summer camps.
Hard to be alone in a new group? Bring a friend! When possible, we try to accomodate friends coming together in the same cohort.
We are also available to facilitate programs for entire groups of 6-15 who want to come together. If this is your case, please be in touch directly.
Hard to be alone in a new group? Bring a friend! When possible, we try to accomodate friends coming together in the same cohort.
We are also available to facilitate programs for entire groups of 6-15 who want to come together. If this is your case, please be in touch directly.
Observance: What does pluralism look like in practice?
We celebrate each individual's perspective and practice. Our programs invite discussion and participation, inspiring one another's personal journeys. Communal practice reflects our diversity, experiencing prayer and blessings through various modalities, utilizing song and movement. All adventures are kosher and shomer Shabbat, honoring individual practice and fully supporting observance of mitzvot
Food: What's it like?
No nuts! And with fewer than ten campers per session, we are happy to make accommodations necessary for other allergies and eating habits. Check out our "Day In the Life" to get a preview of our menu. I love our food! Made by counselors on site, we'll eat simple and delicious camping-style meals.
Communication Devices: Can we bring them on our adventure?
Distance makes the heart grow stronger. After months of online classes and eyes peeled to screens, we're excited to be taking a week off. Parents are asked to hold onto camper communication devices while they are on Lech~Lecha לך לך. Breaking out of the familiar surroundings of home and social networks helps us to break into a stronger relationship with those around us, with nature, and with ourselves.
Refund Policy: What if my teen has to return home?
A registered camper may decide not to join our programming this summer for non-extenuating circumstances. If this happens 7 days or more prior to the start of the session (i.e. before June 7th for the session beginning on June 13th), all but $90 of your downpayment will be returned. If this happens within the week of camp (i.e. June 7th onward for June 13th session, the downpayment ($360) will not be refunded but no additional cost will be incurred.
Communication with staff
Our teen programming is new this summer, and you've never met us - we completely understand and value your desire to know what is going on at camp and stay updated. You'll be able to contact us at all times with the contact info exclusive for parents that we'll share upon registration. But we'll also be actively sharing our experience at Lech Lecha ~ לך לךwith daily pictures and messages over WhatsApp (aside from Shabbat).
