They’ll also greet Shabbat at Prudhomme Lake on the island of Kalen, and celebrate havdallah while watching whales and glaciers glide by.
“Aesthetically it’s an incredibly beautiful series of places to go,” says Amy Kahn, Camp Tawonga’s wilderness department supervisor. “It’s an intense group experience. When you get kids who are committed to making it work, it’s really meaningful.”
Kahn modeled the trek on a successful program she worked on at Camp Tamarack, a Jewish camp in Michigan.
As with all Camp Tawonga programs, Jewish learning will be woven into the trip.
“If they’re in Alaska and they’re seeing a rainbow, we’ll talk about the Ark of the Covenant, God’s promise, so that the kids can have a spiritual moment and recognize that there’s a history connected to everything around them,” says Kahn.
Tamarie Spielman, 28, quest leader for the Alaska trip, says it will be an opportunity for campers to do more than learn Jewish ethics intellectually.
“There’s definitely a strong, environmental ethic in the Jewish tradition, which Camp Tawonga tries to incorporate by having kids experience it rather than just talking about it.”
There will also be Shabbat and havdallah observances and blessings over meals, she said.
Michelle Shafrir, 16, who has been a Tawonga camper since 1991, says Tawonga has taught her a lot about Judaism.
“I practiced Judaism the most there because of all the celebrations, Shabbat and what-not.”
Shafrir, who has never been to Alaska, is excited about her upcoming trip.
“I really like finding new places that I’ve never been to before. I’ve been to Israel twice. It’s really nice to see Roman aqueducts or parts of Jerusalem that have such a connection to the past.”
Other highlights of the trip will include backpacking along the Kseugi Ridge trail in Denali State Park, exploring the wondrous Mendenhall Glacier, and traveling to Canada for hiking in Banff and Jasper National Parks.
The campers will also visit Anchorage and the scenic waterside towns of Skagway and Ketchikan.
Spielman says the length of the trip will allow for deeper lessons in group dynamics.
“We’ll have the opportunity to settle in and build deeper relationships with the group, to work through some conflicts throughout. You kind of get to be more of a family.”
Shafrir has experienced this on other Tawonga treks. “If there’s a problem it’s discussed with a counselor and the people involved, and something is worked out. They’ll make an agreement. They’ll compromise.”
There are three openings left. Cost is $3,000 which includes all the travel costs. For information, call Camp Tawonga, (415) 543-2267.