Summer Middle School Program for Girls

At Drisha, we view Tefillah as a core feature of every learning environment. Our students will experience tefillah in a meaningful and empowering environment. They will have opportunities to lead davening, partake in the communal beit medrash tefillah, pray in the beautiful nature that camp has to offer and more. There is also daily study about prayer immediately before prayer, to deepen students’ understanding of the siddur.

Two and a half hours each morning are divided up into chavruta time and class time as students study yeshiva-style Talmud and commentators under the guidance of master educators. These classes are divided up by level and learning style, ensuring that all students are in environments where they will grow. Morning seder is the heart of our program, offering middle school students unparalleled yeshiva-style Talmud immersion. Morning seder will be a very new experience for all of our middle school students, and our faculty and Beit Midrash staff will structure the time to make sure they have a great experience suited to their capabilities.

Text study can sometimes feel so removed from any practical application and therefore difficult to envision or connect with– that is what the afternoon course comes to address. Students spend an hour in chavruta and shiur learning about Halakhic concepts and then spend an hour getting their hands dirty in real life. For example, learning about making textiles from the Mishkan and then learning how to make dye and weave themselves!

Students will learn riveting stories from the Talmud, get into heated discussions, and catch a glimpse into the worldview of the people of the Gemara – all while trying to decipher what messages it might contain for us today! 

In the early afternoon, after a leisurely lunch and break, we take advantage of our camp environment, go outside and get active. Afternoon activities include options like gaga, swimming, archery, kickball, a water fight or ropes course.

Judaism has a long tradition of interpreting texts visually. In this course, guided by a master educator, students will use visual media to elaborate on texts and concepts in the Jewish library. Our program uses arts to tap into student creativity, interest, and skills and connect them to our Torah learning.

Following our night time educational programming, students have fun night activities! The Madrichot organize things like improv, flashlight tag, bonfires, talent shows, paint nights and more. 

Shabbat begins with students reading Song of Songs and a gorgeous student-led Kabbalat Shabbat. Dinner is accompanied by a Dvar Torah and followed by a student-led tisch. Shabbat morning features communal Tefillah, a shiur at Kiddush, and free time before lunch. The long summer afternoon has plenty of time for rest, bonding in the bunk, learning with a high school peer, and singing! There are endless opportunities to take part in the Shabbat experience: whether a dvar Torah, through davening, or even having a special opportunity to build an eruv!

Three delicious and healthy meals as well as snacks are served each day out of our private on-site kosher kitchen. Our kitchen staff accommodate all the food needs of our students and faculty, accounting for allergies, gluten intolerance, veganism, etc. Students may bring hechshered snacks with them, but they must be kept in closed, labeled containers in the kitchenette. No food or drinks other than water can be stored in student rooms.