Who: Rising 10th and 11th graders
What: A freedom-oriented program that takes the magic of being an Eden Village camper to the next level. Our 10th and 11th graders will live our EVW values with a Forest Journey or a Culinary Journey embedded into their 3 week camp session.
When: Session 2: July 9 – July 27 2025
Why? The Keter Experience allows our oldest campers to enjoy everything they know and love about a summer at EVW, while also providing a unique experience created just for them. Our teens are ready to experience a wild-adventurous-joyful-grounding-culmination-of-all-their-summers-at-camp summer!
Forest Journey
- Program Pillars
- Sample Itinerary
Thriving in the wilderness: Participants learn how to make do with the things they can carry in their backpacks. They cook together by an alpine lake, set up simple shelters under the stars, collect wild water, and honorably wander the land.
Solo-challenges: Each teen is given the opportunity to head out alone into the wild for Hitbodedut – a “solo” experience. Guidance from experienced mentors makes the challenge safe; yet the edge is real, and it is at this edge where real insight and wisdom emerge!
Shabbat in the mountains: This is a chance to truly rest and enjoy – without technology and media, far away from grocery stores and homework. We will take Shabbat as a time to restore our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Climbing a peak: The tops of mountains are central to the Jewish mythical landscape. Our Torah was received on the top of a mountain in the desert. Our holiest temples sat on a mountaintop in Jerusalem. As part of Forest Journey, we will attempt to climb a mountain and connect with the spiritual power available to us there.
Day 1: Pack up your gear & say farewell to our home at Rio Lindo for the week– we’re headed to the mountains! Drive to the trailhead and set up camp together.
Day 2: Hike deeper into the wilderness, learn new skills, swim, explore, and connect more deeply with new and old friends.
Day 3: Travel further & higher to our next campsite, swim some more, and prepare for the climax of our journey- summiting a peak!
Day 4: Summit a mountain all the way to the top! Enjoy some ‘solo journey’ time to take in the vastness and beauty of your natural surroundings. Then, enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat in the wilderness!
Day 5: Shabbat morning immersed in the wilderness! Music, more swimming, exploring and games– rest, rejuvenation, and wonder.
Day 6: Pack up camp, hike out, and head back to EVW to share epic stories with the rest of the camp community.
Culinary Journey
- Program Pillars
- Sample Itinerary
Build your Culinary Skills: Participants will have an opportunity to learn various cooking techniques. Including knife skills, developing a menu, temperature control, baking and nutrition knowledge. Including a trip to a cooking school.
Jewish Food Justice: The Jewish people have a long history as farmers & keepers of the land, in addition to a robust and deeply spiritual relationship with the food we eat. Participants will have opportunities to explore this relationship through the lens of food justice.
Farm to Table Food Systems in Action: Participants will venture throughout Sonoma County to learn more about different farms & food justice organizations doing crucial work to feed their communities. Including a trip to a Farm to Table restaurant.
Celebrate the Harvest: For many of the fruits & veggies growing on the Eden Village West farm, summer is a time of shefa, abundance, that we actively aim to celebrate. Participants will have the chance to dive deep into the bounties of the farm.
Day 1: Visit Little Saint and Introduction to the Culinary Space: Explore a farm to table restaurant and begin your Culinary Journey!
Day 2: Abundance Harvest and Guest Chef: Learn about what it takes to grow food on our farm and how that impacts the EVW community. A guest chef will visit EVW for a cooking class and time to connect.
Day 3: Volunteer at Sonoma Family Meal: Sonoma Family Meal works to feed families in Sonoma County by preparing food and delivering it to families in need. We will help with the process of preparing food and delivering it to families in need.
Days 4: Visit a Cooking School: Participants will visit a culinary school and learn from current students about the culinary world. We will spend time in the kitchen preparing delicious foods.
Days 5: Let’s Cook for Shabbat: Prepare and cook for a special Keter Shabbat event.
Day 6: Celebration of Keter Journeys: Reflect, celebrate, share stories, and teach younger campers about your Culinary Journey!
Is there an extra cost for the Journey?
There is no extra cost for the journey! The cost is built into your camp tuition.
Will I need to purchase special materials for the forest Journey?
Camp will partner with you to get all of the right materials you need for the Forest Journey. We ask that you bring a pair of sturdy hiking shoes and a sleeping bag to camp with you, and you are encourage to bring a hiking backpack that fits you but it is not required- camp can loan you a pack if you need. We will also provide tents, sleeping pads, cooking stoves, and other necessary supplies for the trip.
Who are the staff?
In addition to your counselors, we will be bringing in some amazing special guest facilitators to lead you on your journeys. These folks are masters of experiential education and are gearing up to create incredible experiences for you. More info to come soon!
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Give us a call at (510) 560 5610 or send an email to [email protected] with any questions you have!
When will I get to choose my Journey?
We will send out a survey after you register for camp
