Hello to all who are eager to read about the August Tiyulim adventures! For those of you who haven't heard of Tiyulim, I believe a brief introduction is in order. My name is Alisa Kotash and I am one of the five Tiyulim specialists that will be taking campers on amazing adventures through nature this summer. Tiyulim is the Hebrew word for "journeys." This new program will take every camper on a single or multi-day adventure trip that will allow campers to experience the outdoors in a way they have never seen before. With that said, the Tiyulim staff mission is to enrich the character and leadership development of the campers by providing a wholesome environment that allows them to express their individualism and learn about the importance of selflessness and teamwork.
As a whole, the July session was an amazing experience for both campers and staff. It was a great opportunity that opened up everyone's eyes to the natural wonders that surround us as well as how fun camping and hiking can be!
So jumping off the positive energy of July, the August session started out great! The first bunks to venture out into the wilderness were S1 and S2. The Seneca girls left camp after breakfast and boarded a bus to Watkins Glen, NY, about 30 minutes away. Here are some thoughts from the girls themselves on how their day began.
"On August 5th, 2012, I had a day of peace, fun, and learning. On the hiking trails there were a lot of interesting things. We started on the Indian Trail and on the hike back we went on the Gorge Trail. If someone asked me which one I liked better, I wouldn't be able to choose! On the Indian Trail we went over a bridge called "Suspension Bridge." There was a beautiful view from the top of the bridge. Overall, this was one of my favorite hikes I had ever been on." – S1 and S2
Throughout the walk, the Tiyulim staff "spread some knowledge" about the geology of the area, the unique species that occupy the park, and how certain plants can help you out of "itchy" situations! Hannah Rosenberg shared some of her thoughts on what she learned while hiking.
"Today we took a hike in Watkins Glen. We saw really cool waterfalls ad cool erosion. I learned how to cure stinging nettle by using the plant itself! You fold up the ends of the leaf and put it in your mouth and chew it, then place it on the area of pain. Also, to cure the itch you get from bug bites, you can use wide-leaf-plantain. Similarly, you put it in your mouth and chew it, then place it on the bite." – Hannah Rosenberg
After our beautiful hike through the gorge, we hiked to our campsites. The girls broke up into three different crews, the Cook Crew, the Journal/Clean Crew, and finally the Fire Crew. The Cook Crew was responsible for making dinner and getting everyone together to eat. That evening we made burritos! The Journal/Clean Crew was responsible for writing down thoughts of the day as well as cleaning the dishes from dinner. Finally the Fire Crew built an amazing fire despite the light rain, and we were able to enjoy s'mores all night.
Overall, the camp out was a success and everyone enjoyed the beauty of Watkins Glen. Stay tuned Tiyulim readers; there is more to come!
Alisa Kotash
Tiyulim Specialist
