Age Groups

Entering 4th+5th Grades

The Amelim are Tavor’s youngest campers. Many of our Amelim are away from home for the first time and our counselors are trained to give them the care they need in order to enjoy their first summer at sleep-away camp. From day one, the Amelim are introduced to the Tavor lifestyle, culture, and activities. We provide personalized tours of our vast site and help them get acquainted with all the activities available to them each day.

We also make sure to teach them the popular Tavor songs so they can join in on our spirited post meal sing-alongs. The programming for Amelim focuses on creating new friendships, developing teamwork skills,and building self-confidence.

Entering 6th+7th

The Chotrim summer is all about adventure, learning new skills, and expanding creativity. Campers in Chotrim are given the opportunity to try new activities and build new bonds while developing nature awareness and outdoor skills. Programming for the Chotrim focuses on critical thinking, sharing and caring for others, and exploring their Jewish identity.

Entering 8th

Bonim is a transitional summer for our campers. Bonim focus on responsibility; development of ideas and opinions; and learning to work as a team to plan events, create projects, and complete tasks. To this end, Bonim are given more self-determination in their programming and activities and are encouraged to become leaders in camp events.

Camp mornings begin with flag raising and announcements. Often it is campers from Bonim leading morning stretches, song sessions, and group games at the flagpole. Many Bonim are studying for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and counselors make sure to coordinate special time for personalized tutoring and practice as needed.

Entering 9th

Garinim expand on the Bonim focus of developing leadership skills and working as a team. In Garinim, counselors make sure to pay particular attention to any issues pertaining to entrance into high school and create space for campers to discuss their excitement, fears, and questions about this move.

Garinim, like Bonim, use self-determination in their daily programming and are also given the opportunity to begin leading younger campers' activities with the help and encouragement of their counselors. Garinim programming also includes projects to explore Israeli culture and Jewish identity.

Entering 10th

Bogrim at Tavor are in their final summer as campers and are expected to take on leadership roles in camp activities and be positive examples for the younger campers. At the same time, Bogrim are given personalized group time to foster the creation of a cohesive team in preparation for their summer in Israel together next year. Many Bogrim choose to come to camp for both sessions in order to bridge the gap between 1st and 2nd sessions, expand their friendship circle, and get the full summer experience.

Throughout the summer, Bogrim have special, private programming to celebrate their final summer as campers and enjoy the fun of being the oldest campers. As the culmination of their leadership training, Bogrim are given the opportunity to come together to create, plan, and run camp activities for a few hours during one afternoon each summer. With the help of their counselors, they design the program around a theme of their choice and create committees to plan each activity. Though counselors are still present during the program, the Bogrim are able to take on the day’s leadership roles. From planning out the meals, creating the schedule, making the announcements and leading games, the Bogrim are involved in all aspects of the afternoon.

Entering 11th

MBI stands for Machaneh Bonim Israel – Building Camp in Israel[Not sure this is the translation you want to use.]. This summer is sponsored and run by the national Habonim Dror Movement. Although Camp Tavor continues to be your child’s host camp, all of the programming and correspondence is coordinated through the national office in New York. During MBI, Tavor campers join with other post-10th graders from our sister camps around North America for an unforgettable five-week tour of Israel. They visit historical sites around the country, learn about our umbrella youth movement (Habonim Dror), experience Israeli culture and history, swim in the Dead Sea, snorkel in Eilat, hike Masada, ride camels, and so much more! MBI is also a time to hone their leadership skills, develop Jewish identities, and build new lifelong friendships. Visit the Habonim Dror website for more details on this amazing and life-changing program: https://www.habonimdror.org/chaverim/mbi

Tavor invites the MBI group to visit camp for a special weekend before they leave on their summer trip. This gives the group the opportunity to gather as a Tavor team one last time before leaving for their adventure, to get oriented, and to get excited!

Entering 12th

The Madatzim are our counselors-in-training. After an extraordinary summer in Israel, the Madatzim return to Tavor inspired and excited, equipped with a multitude of fresh ideas and enthusiasm to share with Tavor campers. The Madatzim spend the full summer at Tavor. During the first session they live as a group in a private campground. Their counselors focus the programming on learning about the logistics of daily life at camp and leadership training while addressing specific camper issues they may encounter during the following session.

Madatzim begin to take on leadership roles in daily activities and are given the opportunity to run camp for an entire day. With the help and supervision of their counselors, this is usually a favorite day for all the younger campers. During second session each Madatz is assigned to an age group and a specific tent or cabin where they live with the campers and counselors. Madatzim are mentored by their assigned counselors and learn the skills they need to be incredible and influential role models for their campers.

An application process exists for the Madatz program and applicants are required to fill out a form to apply for the program. Post-Madatzim are surprised at the skills they have acquired during the summer and often take on leadership roles in their schools and extracurricular activities in their hometowns.

Here are the forms for application to become a Madatz.