This weekend we went to Camp Keshet, a family camp for Jewish LGBT families that's part of Camp Tawonga.
It. Was. Amazing.
We were supposed to go last year, but the Yosemite rim fire led to them having to cancel camp (the camp ended up being basecamp for the fire fighters). The level of destruction all around the camp was stupendous and the camp itself was idyllic and lush. It was really intense to feel like we were in Eden and surrounded by what is essentially a 200 mile forest graveyard.
Camp. Camp was...mindblowingly great. Simon was adored. We were relaxed. Friends were reconnected with and new ones made. Worries about future surgeries were banished. The food was awesome. The singing raucus. The Shabbat service in the woods so beautiful I cried and cried. The fact that a whole camp was directed by and staffed by majority straight people was heartbreaking in the best way. Allyship taken to a totally new level. It felt totally radical.
Don't even quite have words, so I'll let the photos tell the story.
It. Was. Amazing.
We were supposed to go last year, but the Yosemite rim fire led to them having to cancel camp (the camp ended up being basecamp for the fire fighters). The level of destruction all around the camp was stupendous and the camp itself was idyllic and lush. It was really intense to feel like we were in Eden and surrounded by what is essentially a 200 mile forest graveyard.
Camp. Camp was...mindblowingly great. Simon was adored. We were relaxed. Friends were reconnected with and new ones made. Worries about future surgeries were banished. The food was awesome. The singing raucus. The Shabbat service in the woods so beautiful I cried and cried. The fact that a whole camp was directed by and staffed by majority straight people was heartbreaking in the best way. Allyship taken to a totally new level. It felt totally radical.
Don't even quite have words, so I'll let the photos tell the story.
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| Simon with Charlie, the first staffer he charmed |
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| A pre-swim snuggle |
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| Campers! |
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| Spent HOURS on this stage orating to whomever would listen |
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| Getting ready to fish in the lake/pond |
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| Learning to cast off |
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| Ticklefest by the pond |
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| Shabbat Services |
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| Reading the Torah |
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| Boy time! |
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| More boy time |
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| Family time |
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| Walking to the river |
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| Fishin' |
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| Family on the trail |
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| Playing dinos with a favorite counselor |
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| In the boat with his one true love, Lily |
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| A little fancy dancing |
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| Ready for action |
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| All packed up and ready to go with his Huck Finn pack |
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| Birthday chair dance |
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| SOOO thrilled to see Jhos (the rabbi that married us) |
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| Adoring fans |
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| Wiped out with a filthy mug |
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| A little goat petting on the way home |
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| You know who you look like?? |
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| This is why we will send Simon to Camp Tawonga. This. |
