I’m going to sleepover camp in about 2 weeks – 15 days from today to be exact. I’m really excited! My mom went to the same camp and now I’m going to that exact camp. I think my parents are sad that I’m going to be gone for a while.
On Sunday I got to go up to the camp for a special day trip! It’s about 3 and half hours away from home. It was a great day! It was so fun!
I have been at the camp before for an alumni weekend with my parents and I got to see the cabins – they had bunk beds. The cabins are painted really pretty. I hope I get to sleep at the top of the bunk bed because I have never slept at the top before. Something really cool is that when you sleep in a cabin you write your name and the year on the wall. The walls are all covered with names of campers from many years. I can’t wait to add my name to the walls of my cabin.
When I got on the bus to go to camp I sat beside a nice girl named Robyn. When we arrived at camp all the counselors were waving at us! When we got off the bus we were put us in two groups – blue and red. I was in group blue. We had to make up a cheer to show red how awesome we were! Our cheer was “We’re team blue and we’ll scare you, boo!” I loved that cheer so much!
Then the counsellors put us in 3 groups I was in group 2, we were going to do activities. The first activity group 2 did was dancing. That was fantastic! At camp there is dancing every Friday night so it was really cool to learn some of the dances. The second activity was sports. We played a really fun game and we also played soccer. I think I was great at that! After that activity we did art where we made a beautiful dream catcher. It takes your bad dreams away and replaces it with good ones. I loved making them!
After that we had lunch, we had stir fry! That was super good!
After lunch we went to the lake and we went tubing and swimming. We first went on a boat and went tubing and then we jumped in the lake. The water was so warm!
That’s when we had dinner. We had burritos! That was so good. We had to go home right after dinner. I knew that I was really going to miss camp – the people, swimming, the cheers. Everything. But I’m going to go back soon . I’ll be there again in 2 weeks and this time I’m going to stay there for 12 days.
I was really happy to learn about all of the different things that my camp is doing to be eco-friendly:
- They don’t use paper towel in the bathrooms so there is less waste.
- Every morning a group of campers clean up the beach.
- They take pride in the beauty of camp and use what is available in their natural surroundings.
- In arts and crafts the dream catcher we made was made from sticks.
- Older campers are making a farm to grow fruits and vegetables.
- After a meal table scraps are collected and given a local farmer to feed his pigs.
- They buy as much food from local farmers as they can (which is a lot to feed about 200 people.)
- They ask us to bring only biodegradable shampoo, conditioner and soap.
- We are asked not to bring bottled water but use reusable water bottles.
I just can’t wait to go to camp for the first time! But I should tell you, I’m also really worried that I’ll feel homesick and miss my family. Can you give me some advice? If you have advice or suggestions for me, I would love to hear what worked for you or your kids.
Hi Hannah! The camp sounds amazing and I’m sure you will have a great time! Although my kids are too young for camp right now, I have been researching different camps for the future and while doing so have also been thinking up ways to stay connected without the high-tech.
One way is through old-fashioned letters. I send a note with my daughter every day when she goes to school, so my plan is to write her a short letter and seal it in an envelope for every day that she is away. This way she has something to look forward to opening and it’s like I am ‘talking’ to her every day. 😉
Thank you Nadia! Maybe I’ll write a post soon about how you can find a non high-tech camp, it might be really good for your kids! Me and my mom have already decided that we’re going to write letters because at the camp I’m going to you can’t take electronics. I like that advice a lot, I think it will feel like I’m talking to my family!
Cool, I look forward to hearing how it goes!
In regards to the post, I really hope you write it as I would love to read about how to find a good camp for the kids ;).
Hannah,
I went to Machaneh Gesher for five years. You are going to have the most awesome time of your life, you won’t want to leave and you will count the days until the next year that you go. BTW, add to the grafitti. My friend was up there a few years ago, and the names of my brother and sister are still up in one of the cabins.
Thank you Michael! My mom probably counted the days until the next time she goes to Gesher! Maybe If I have some free time I could search cabins for your siblings name. What are your siblings names? I will write my name on the wall soon! Try to come to the alumni weekend, ok?
Thank you Michael! That’s cool that you went to Gesher! My mom probably counted the days until her next trip to Gesher. I will write my name on the wall. Maybe I can find your siblings names in one of the cabins. What’s their names? Reply. Lot’s of people have gone to Gesher that commented on my post! Try to come to the alumni weekend, ok? Thanks!
So excited for you, Hannah! You’re going to have a great time 🙂
The funny thing about feeling homesick is that it’s actually a good thing, a nice thing. It means you love your life + your family very much. The other funny thing about homesickness is that, if you keep lovin’ that life + family, the feeling of it never really goes away – I’m 29 years old + I *still* get bouts of it when I’m away from the nest. Even for a few hours. Yes, I’m serious. Ha!
So for me, I bring pictures to look at + I make notes of my adventures so I don’t forget anything after I get back. I remember that I’ll be excited to tell my tales around the dinner table but that I’ll have no good stories to share if I don’t actually get up + do anything! So stay busy, have oodles of fun, make so many friends you’ll need name tags for them all + remember… Even when you’re a geezer like me, it’s okay to miss your ‘rents 🙂
Thank you Tamara! Now that I think about it being homesick is a good thing, you love your life and your family. It’s really good to know that kids aren’t the only ones getting homesick. I think I’m going to have too much pictures of my family around my bed in the night, but that’s ok because it feels like my mom and my dad are there. Thank you so much for the magnificent advice! I will use all of your ideas!
Take photos of home, music that you listen to with mom and dad and take a shirt from each-spray their parfume/scent on them! Write lots of letters and most importantly keep a journal and have FUN!
Thank you Brenda! I will totally take photos from home and I love the idea of spraying a perfume/scent on a shirt! I think I’ll do that!I will keep a journal! Thanks Brenda for all the advice!
that sounds great Hannah!
I went to camp every summer and then I worked at camp for several summers as a camp counsellor. Sometimes I did feel homesick when I was a kid at camp. What always helped me was to talk to my counsellor about it. I am sure your camp counsellors will be the most amazing people and they will know just how to make a homesick kid feel better – whether it is a hug or just taking your mind off of it they will know just what to do. There will also be other kids who feel homesick sometimes too so don’t feel like you are the only one 🙂
And it is TOTALLY ok to miss your mom and dad, that is normal! Just remind yourself that you only have 12 days of camp but you have forever with mom & dad. And know that for sure your mom & dad will miss you too but they want you to enjoy your time away.
I kept a travel journal while I was at camp and wrote down things I wanted to remember to tell my mom when I got home- fun stories, things about the cool people I met and the activities I did. I put a picture of us in the front of the journal before I left for camp and when I missed my mom I could look at her picture. That helped too. (I only lived with my mom when I was growing up!)
I think you will do great at camp and I can’t wait to hear all about it on this blog when you get back!
Thank you so much Tara! I think My counsellors will definitely help me not fell homesick. I think I will bring a journal and put a picture but with my mom, my dad and my dog and me! 12 days does seem long but like you said I’ll have forever with my family. I’m going to bring my guitar and I think one of the counsellors will know how to play guitar and it might help me feel better if they teach me a song or play a song. Thank you so so much for the advice, I will use the journal idea and look at it a lot.
Oh I forgot, You are being so so so so nice commenting on my blog and looking at it, It really makes me feel special. It feels amazing when someone really appreciates something that they worked on for so long! Keep commenting please! Thank you Tara so much!
it is my pleasure Hannah! you are doing a great job 🙂 I will definitely keep commenting!
Hey Hannah.
After last year and this past Sunday, you know all the amazing stuff Gesher has to offer. I love the travel journal idea so I agree with writing down all the stuff you’ll want to remember to tell mum and dad and also for when you get home to update your blog and tell all of us.
I was also homesick when I was at Gesher. I loved camp, but didn’t want to stay away from home. So I talked to my counsellors and they helped me feel better about being away from home. One thing I can definitely say is don’t think too much now about how homesick you MIGHT be. Otherwise you might talk yourself into being homesick. Look at your pictures from last Sunday and last year. Remember all the cool things you’ll do at Gesher. Remember that you’ll have toranut duty while you’re there and how much you love that. Think of all the things you’ll do at camp and not so much about the things at home.
Thank you so much Gayla! That’s really exciting that you went to Gesher! I will try to not think about being homesick and think about the next day waking up at camp. I really like your advice. Are you coming to Gesher for alumni weekend? Please tell me. How do you know that I love toranut so much? I love it 100%! I will also think about me cleaning the beach! Thank you so much for the advice! You made my day.
We are definitely coming up for Alumni weekend. It’ll be great to see you and hear how you’re enjoying camp. Maybe you can convince Jordana and Samantha that camp is fun.
As for toranut, I remember how much you loves it last year and your mom was also talki g about it on Sunday while we were waiting for you guys.
Save us a great cabin for Alumni weekend, k?
Hi, Hannah.
Thanks for writing about your time at Gesher. My daughter spent the day, too, but did not provide such a detailed report. I not only went to Gesher with your mom – I was her madricha (counsellor). I don’t remember her being homesick but she has already been at camp for several years by the time she was my chanicha (camper). I remember getting homesick after getting a letter from the woman who looked after me. She wrote that she had made sure to hug and kiss my stuffed animals for me and that definitely made me miss home. I talked to my madrichot and that made me feel better. Also, if you are a camp person (and you really sound like you are), chances are that if you are homesick, it will only be for the first couple of days, and then probably just at bedtime. Remember, though, that even though the madrichot tell you to be quiet after lights out, there is always whispering and giggling, so although you are going to bed without your parents’ good night kisses, you won’t be lonely. It’s really different from sleeping over at a friend’s place. I am sure you’ll have a wonderful time.
Thank you so much Eden! My mom told me that you were my mom’s counsellor right away when she saw your comment! Really? My mom wasn’t homesick? Wow! I didn’t provide that much information when I got back from the trip. But when I started writing my post I felt really happy and energetic and I gave a more bigger report. I’m afraid that I’m going to get in trouble if after my madricha (counsellor) tells me to be quiet and we don’t. Then what would I do. I fall asleep easy so I think I can try to close my eyes and go to sleep. Thank you so so much for the advice! It feels good when I’m talking to someone who’s been a counsellor at camp Gesher! Please say hi to Maya for me! Thanks! Are you coming to the alumni weekend? Reply.
When I read my daughter your post, she gave up a few more details about her day at Gesher and thought writing a blog would be fun. She also remembered you when she saw your picture. Her name is Zohar but she hung out a lot w/Maya on Sunday, so it was probably easy to mix them up. We hope to go up for the alumni weekend. Maybe we will see you then. BTW, all that happens if you don’t go to sleep is that the madrichot come back and tell you to be quiet. The whole tzrif (cabin) gets lectured, not just one or two kids. It’s fun to stay up for a little while but after a busy day at camp, you will fall asleep pretty fast.
Hannah;
I went to camp every year from age 7-18, and then worked for 4 more years at camp, so I get you on being homesick! The one thing I’ve always found that helps is making sure that you try and remember at least 1 awesome thing that happened every day, even when you’re missing your family. Then, if you write those all down at night, you’ll have something really awesome to share with your family when you get home!
Everyone else is right on two things: Your counsellors are totally great people to talk to about feeling homesick, and that it’s totally okay to feel that way! You love your family, and so missing them is okay. Letters are also awesome (It’s also awesome when your parents send you letters- my dad sent me post cards every session when I worked at camp!)
Thank you so much Lizbeth! I think I’ll try writing down the awesome thing every day! I really like the idea about the letters, it sounds like it really worked out for you! I think I can understand how you felt when you were first a camper and then a counsellor, you felt homesick but you got through it. Thank you Lizbeth for the advice!
You are going to have so much fun. And make so many memories. I remember my first sleep away camp. I got a little homesick (and that’s ok) but I also had such a fun time. I know writing letters home helped. And getting messages from home, too.
Have a great time, Hannah!
Thank you so much Jacki! you did get homesick? I’m going to write so many letters! I will tell my parents to send letters to me twice a day! I will also tell them that you commented! My mom and dad really like you and think you’re nice, I do to. I am going to write a post about camp when I get back!
You’re the best!
Hey Hannah. I’m so happy you had a great time on Sunday and I just know you’ll enjoy your next 12 days. All the activities sound like so much fun.
I never went to camp, but both my kids did. Don’t worry about missing your family. My kids did just fine. If they wrote us letters from camp, we would send goodies for them and their friends in their cabin. Needless to say, we received lots of letters and they received lots of goodies! It was a good deal all around.
Best thing to remember is that if you get lonely, just remember that we will be there to see you on visitng day. I can’t wait to see you at camp because I’ll be missing you. Better send us a camp letter!!
Thank you so much Zaidi! I know both of your kids do and one of them’s my mom! I can’t wait too see you, bubbie, Brad, Jack, mommy and daddy! I am going to send a camp letter to you everyday, maybe even twice! See you later Zaidi!
Hi Hannah,
I went to Gesher with your Mom, and now my girls go as well. In fact, on of the pictures you put in your collage is you having noodles with Bekah sitting next to you!
You’re going to have a great time,
I
Thank you Ian! Bekah is your daughter? Wow! I will tell Bekah that you commented on my blog. I heard that you play guitar! Me too! I’m going to bring my guitar so counsellors can play it and that might make me feel better with homesickness. Who is your other daughter? Reply.
Hi Hannah,
Wanted to let you know that my girls are now 24 and 21 years.
They love Camp Gesher so much that they started working there !
Sari, is the Chef at Camp Gesher.
I am happy to hear that you liked the food !
Liat runs the special programs like the one you were on !
I know that you will love Camp Gesher almost as much as Liat and Sari !
Have a great summer, cherish those memories !
Idit Papular – Mom to Liat and Sari !
Thank you so much Idit! I know both of your daughters, Liat is really nice to me. Sari makes my gluten free meals! I heard that Liat’s stopping to work at Gesher next year. Please beg her to stay! But I will say hi to her a lot! I can’t wait to see your daughters in 2 weeks!
Hi Hannah,
I remember my first summer at Gesher. I wonder if my cabin is still there. I was 13 and my madrachim where Amy Jubas and Andrea Gardner along with Steve Eichler and David Rakoff!! I met Ian Bier that summer (you are pictured with his daughter Bekkah) and your mom a few summers later.
I am so excited to read all about your adventures and when you get home, can I take you for some ice cream and you tell me all about Gesher (30 years later!).
Have an awesome time Hannah!
h
Thank you Heather! I bet your cabin is still there! You can defiantly take me out for ice cream! Can my parents come too? Ian commented on my blog and he talked about Bekkah!
Hi Hannah,
I went to camp at the same time as your mom and a few of the others that have commented here…
I was much older when I started going to Gesher and I was quite homesick for the first few days.
I pushed on through those feelings with the support of my madrichim (counsellors) and all the new friends I was making. After that, I started to allow myself to enjoy all the new, fun and even crazy things that we were doing. Eventually the homesickness just disappeared and I had the time of my life!
If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time wishing I were back home. Because now that my summers at Gesher are over, there is still no other place I would rather be…
You’re gonna have a great time at Gesher and will make a ton of life-long friends just like your mom, Eden, Gayla, Ian and I made along the way… 🙂
I look forward to hearing/reading all about it!!
Gabe
Thank you so much Gabe! My madrichim will totally help me! I never knew that there were crazy things at Gesher! If you like Gesher so much then come to the alumni weekend! 🙂 I am going to write a post all about camp so check my blog in 2 weeks and 13 days. Thanks!
Hi Hannah,
For a brief introduction, my name is Isaac and my wife is a friend of your mom’s. Also, I want to Gesher between 1989 and 2001, and I remember your uncle very well. I miss being there every summer and I’m in my 30s!
In fact, the program you are participating in was started in 1996, and I was the first counsellor (along with two female counsellors in the girl’s bunk)! We started the 12 day program to give a taste of the Gesher experience and it’s been very successful. You will definitely be immersed in camp culture and because you are in the youngest group the older kids know to look out for you. Homesickness might happen, totally normal, and if it does, the best advice I could give is to know that every day at camp is what you make of it – for good or not so good – and when you look back on it you’ll remember some of the magic that is Gesher. Your folks will come up to see you soon enough and if you need to shake out the homesickness, I’m sure your counsellors will help – they only pick the best ones to run your program!
I hope the weather stays amazing and hot for you. Some of my favourite memories are on the chof (beach) and in the water, skiing and canoeing to Cuba (ask where that is…) and just enjoying being in paradise.
To be honest, thinking about Gesher is making me a bit jealous that you are starting your time there. I wish you lots of luck, lots of ruach (spirit…you’ll learn all the words) and lots of fun!
Isaac
Thank you so much Issac! My mom misses Gesher too, and Brad! I think I will just look back at the magic go Gesher if I get homesick. My mom told me about Cuba! I think It would be an amazing trip for me! Maybe I’ll see you at the alumni weekend. That’s really cool that you were one of the first counsellors for Oferem! Everyone at the day trip was really nice to me so when I see them maybe they can help me. I know I’m going to have the best summer ever!
Hi Hannah,
If only I could turn back the clock and have it be 1980 again we’d be going to camp together. Just like you, and many others who’ve commented, I went to Gesher and I knew your mom too. You’re going to have an amazing two weeks…and it’s going to fly by, so try and remember everything you do. Malachet Yad, Chof, Gan, Beit-Tarbut…these may not mean anything to you now but, in 2 short weeks, you’ll have great memories of all those places.
Have fun. Enjoy every minute of it. You’re going to one of the best places a kid can go to.
Thank you Jon! I am going to try to remember a lot of activities like the ones you thought of. You just taught me a few hebrew words. Actually it does mean something because I have to remember the words if Shaul is trying to say something I need to know what it means. My mom has been teaching me some too. So far, my favourite it this one: “Haksheevu, Haksheevu, kol ha machaneh, Hannah Alper na lavo l’misrad”. I’m going to write my name on the wall! That will be fun! Maybe I’ll find your name on the wall!
Hi Hannah, I hope you have fun at sleepover camp. I am going to grade 2, I have never been to sleepover camp, but I am going to a week of day camp where we will learn about the environment and make crafts.
I just started a blog too.
Thank you Kate! I looked at your website, it’s really good! That’s cool that you’re going to learn about the environment! Maybe you’ll learn the things I did. Have a great summer!
Hi Hannah!
I’m Alex, this summer’s mazkir at Gesher (I take the photos, print emails, make announcements, that sort of thing – you probably saw me hovering around the group taking photos most of the day).
We look forward to having you here! We have lots of amazing and excited stuff planned for second session. I’m excited to get to know you better – swing by the misrad to say hi anytime!
Thank you Alex! I think I remember you from the day trip. I’m excited too to get to know you in 2 weeks! The photo’s were amazing! They looked really nice with my blog. Do you agree? I will defiantly swing go to the office to say hi! I can’t wait to see you, Shaul,Liat,Sari and all the other amazing counsellors! See in 2 weeks! P.S your dog is so cute!
Hi Hannah,
What an amazing blog you have here. You sound like an amazingly articulate and insightful young woman.
Like many of the others who have posted above, I went to Gesher with your mom. I was there pretty much every summer from 1979 – 1993. My closest friends to this day are people that I met there when I was young. My son Dov is going to Gesher for the second session this summer, so he will be there at the same time as you. It will be his 5th summer there.
As to homesickness, that is a very normal experience when kids first go away to camp. I remember feeling homesick for the first few days that I was at Gesher, but once I got over it I just loved being there. My advice is to do your best to be active and involved in the activities. The more fun you are having, the less you will feel homesick. If that does not work, you should speak to your madrichim (counsellors). They will have experience helping kids who are feeling homesick, and they will probably be able to help you feel better.
I’m a little bit jealous of all of the wonderful times that you have coming up. I hope you have a great, great time.
Mischa
Thank you so much Mischa! That’s really thoughtful of saying that. That’s cool that you were there for 14 years! I will be active and to be participate in all the activities! They’re so much fun! My madrichim will defiantly help me feel better that’s why I’m bringing my guitar so a counsellor can teach me a song or play me a song and I think that will help me feel better! You are right about all the advice. I will try to find Dov and say hi once in a while! Thanks Mischa!
Hannah,
Thank you for your fun blog. I’ve really enjoyed reading it. I’m also having a blast reading the comments from all my old Gesher friends that I haven’t seen for a million years.
I too went to Gesher for many years in the ’80s. From the day I left camp until camp started again the next year, I would count down the days. I was lucky… my sister and 2 of my cousins were in camp with me so I didn’t get very homesick. The amazing thing about Machane Gesher is that you are kept so busy all day doing fun stuff that there isn’t enough time to get homesick.
Have fun at camp! The memories of your short 12 days will last a lifetime.
Regards,
HEIDI
Thank you Heidi! I’m glad you like seeing those comments! I won’t have a lot of time to think about being homesick because I’m going to be having fun! That’s really cool that your relatives went to Gesher! Thanks Heidi!
Hi Hannah,
I also went to that same camp. In fact, I started going when I was around your age and, when I got older, I was you mom’s counselor when she was about your age!
I went to camp for a total of 5 summers and they were so amazing that I still think about them as some of the best times of my life. I also remember your mom really well. Even then she had a beautiful energy that made it so nice to be around her. She used to love it when I’d sing and play guitar for her and the rest of her group.
As for home-sickeness,it’s totally normal to assume you will feel that way, especially if you’ve never been away from your parents before. But once you get there, the feeling of being away from your family will be different that what you expect because you will become a part of a whole new ‘camp family’. Of course the ‘camp family’ can never replace your real family, but you will be having so much fun in this new community that when you think of your mom and dad, it won’t be with a ‘sad’ feeling of missing them, it will be with happy feelings that make you so excited to share your experience with them when you get home.
What’s also so special for you is that you’ll know that every place you go at camp, your mom has been there and I believe that every person who ever went to this very, very special place leaves a piece of themselves there. So, in a way, your mom will be with you the whole time.
Have an amazing time! I wish I was young enough to go back!
Karen
Thank you so much Karen! That’s really nice of you to say nice things about my mom. It’s cool that you can play guitar because I’m bringing my guitar so counsellors can play a song if I get homesick. Maybe they can teach me a thing or 2.You’re right, when I get off the bus I will have a camp-family and it will feel different. That is really thoughtful about what you said that my mom leaves a piece of herself there so I’ll always have her with me. In fact, we put up a wordless wednesday post about that exact line and we called it thoughtful Wednesday! Check it out right here! Thank you so so so much Karen!
Hi Hannah,
It’s your favourite uncle. As you know, I also went to Camp Gesher. I met some of my best friends at camp and had some very good times. You’ll have a blast.
If you find the wilderness really isn’t your thing and you need to see some civilization, sign up for Ashpa (garbage duty). That should allow you a trip to the local dump (and also to the general store). In my day, they had these things called payphones and the store had one. Use it to call home, even if just for a minute. That will tide you over. Also buy lots of candy.
Uncle Brad knows all the tricks!
Jack and I will come visit you on Visitor’s Day…
Thank you Brad! Wilderness is my thing but I will try it because you tried it! I can’t go to the general store because Candace told me that you just snuck away from camp to go there so I can’t go! I do know †hat you know all the tricks even at Gesher! I will probably see you at your house or Zaidi’s house soon and I will see you and Jack soon! Say hi to Jack for me!
Hey, Hannah
i know that homesick feeling, and i hope i can help you with it.
I’ve been going to the very camp that you’re talking about for four years, and i think that one of the great things about it is that you will probably be having too much fun to even think about home. but if it does come up, remember that you have counselors and friends to talk to, and more importantly, remember that this feeling will go away. the first years that i went there, i felt homesick to. i sent a letter home, but by the time they got it, i was better. so just remember that it will g away. i hope this helps.
Dov.
Thank you Dov! That advice really does help! I will have lots of company to talk to to make me feel better! I probably will have no time to think about being homesick because I will be having too much fun! I’ll see in about 2 weeks! Maybe you can also help me feel better!
HI Hannah!
I went to Gesher from 1988-1999! I remember your Mom as the sweetest, coolest “older camper”. I always looked up to her and you will find that you will do the same with the really nice older kids! Gesher was (and still is) my favourite place in the entire world! I made the best friends at camp, had the most amazing counsellors and I STILL miss getting on that bus every summer with all of my new funky camp gear ready to have the best time of my life!!!
Here’s the thing about being homesick….it may not even happen! And, if it does, its totally normal. It’s all part of being away from home and having a million first time experiences. So even though you MAY get homesick from time to time, there are so many AMAZING things that you are also experiencing it’s all part of your first time “list” and its awesome! Once in a while if a little homesickness creeps in just think about your Mom running around the exact same places when she was your age, laughing, swimming, singing and dancing. and always remind yourself about how amazing all of the people around you at camp are now! Remember, you just have a small amount of time at camp and every over day with your family at home!
My advice is to take some items from home and put them up in your bunk… Your favourite blanket and pillows of course, which seems silly but makes your bunk your very own home. I had a ton of pictures of my family, some of my favourite places and some of my dog (which is your family really). Next up, your music, I hear you are a huge J.B fan, put him on and sing your heart out, sing the sadness away until a huge smile appears on your face!!!! Music can really help you forget you were even sad to begin with and make you feel so much better. Last but not least, I took my moms t shirt and sprayed her perfume on it, so when those homesick nights came I would close my eyes, cuddle up to the t shirt and pretend I was home for a minute (put the T-shirt in a zip lock bag to keep the smell going). I would either fall right asleep or have my homesickness interrupted by my giggling girlfriends telling funny stories, there was really no time to miss home when you have a bunk full of happy girls!!!!
Hannah, you are going to shine like a beautiful bright star at Gesher. From what I have read from your blog so far, camp will be your new favourite place on earth and I cannot wait to read your “after camp” blog where the real “camp sick” part starts. Waiting for the next summer to roll around is torture!!!!!! Gesher friends are for life and they will become a new family for you! We are all cheering you on from the city sidelines and wishing we could rewind the clock and do it all over again, homesickness and all. HAVE SO MUCH FUN!
Keep those blog posts coming.
Jen:)
Thank you so much Jen! Thanks for talking about my mom, she’s really happy about that! I do have a small amount of time so I should be happy with that time! That is not silly to bring my favourite beddings, it’s a great idea! My dog is definitely my family to me! I love the idea about J.B! It’s awesome! I think I will try the perfume idea. It will make me feel right at home. I will have such a fun time at Gesher! Can you come to the alumni weekend? Reply
Hi Hannah
Im going to camp gesher second session this summer too! This will be my third year going and I will be in Soleliem. I remember my first year of sleepover camp and it was the best summer of my life. If you are worried about being homesick bring a little stuffed animal or something that reminds you of home. Also you can bring a picture of your family. But trust me Camp gesher is like a home away from home! I thought that I would be so homesick but by the first night I had made so many anazing freinds already.
Keep up your great blog:)
Thank you Maya! I am going to bring tons of stuffed animals from home! I think bringing pictures of my family will help me feel better. You are going to be one of my amazing friends at Gesher! See you later Maya!
We know you will have a great time at camp and do not worry about being homesick everyone goes through that and all you have to do is think of the fun time you are having and when camp is finished and you are home again you will want to be back at camp with all the new friends you are going to make. Zizi and I can not wait for you to show us around as we have never beeb to Gesher and we know you will have an amazing time there
Thanks camp Gesher! That is really good for my blog! Say hi to Shaul, Alex, Liat and Sari for me! I will see you in exactly 10 days! See ya! Camp Gesher, thank you so much for linking to my blog in your website!