The bug juice is spiked!

For many former overnight campers, those precious summers spent at camp remain some of the most cherished memories of their lives.

Now, thanks to the innovative programming created by Trybal Gatherings, there’s a way for Jewish young adults to capture some of those magical moments yet again.

Carine Warsawski, who had worked for Birthright Israel and other Jewish travel purveyors for more than a decade, started Trybal Gatherings six years ago, after observing a large gap in programming for young Jewish adults who were looking for community.

“I witnessed what I call “the hangover” effect, where people have this emotional high after their Israel trip,” said Warsawski, the Boston-based Founder and CEO of the nonprofit. “But three months after, people kind of went back into their everyday patterns and their trip just became a memory. I was inspired to create something closer to home as a way to connect people–domestic, immersive experiences.”

Most of the adult campers are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, and the camps are run in several areas throughout the country, including the Midwest, the Berkshires, Georgia, and California. During COVID, they were able to offer day camp experiences and now they are back to running overnight getaways for several days at a time.

“The people who come are incredible,” said Warsawski. “They’re really looking for their people–whether it’s socially, Jewishly, or romantically. We create an environment that encourages them to meet as many people as they can, and form deep connections and relationships. Everything is done through a Jewish lens.”

The days at camp–four total–can be as busy or relaxed as the campers choose with Jewish camp classics from swimming to color wars to bonfires–and everything in between.

Trybal Gatherings offer programming throughout the year to keep the engagement going when participants return home.

JUF is among the organizations that provides grant support to Trybal Gatherings. “It’s a wonderful way for people to make friends and build connection,” said Michelle Lawner, Associate Vice President of Planning and Allocations at JUF. “A lot of the educators and leaders of different workshops are staff of young adult organizations from across the country. It’s an entry in for people. They may not have known these organizations existed prior to attending camp so now they may want to come to more programs.”

Kadi House, a Chicago transplant from Los Angeles, has attended Trybal three times. House didn’t start going to summer camp until becoming a counselor as a teenager. “Camp played a huge role in my peak identity formative years,” she said. “But I really didn’t get much of that camper experience, so I was excited to experience that. Camp is a great way to make lifelong friendships no matter how old you are.”

The Jewish aspects of Trybal resonate with House. “The Jewish piece feels homey,” she said. “I feel most spiritual when I am observing Shabbat in nature and in a camp setting. There’s something about camp experiences that just create unique and meaningful bonds that aren’t often found in everyday life.”

Warsawski believes in the power of Jewish camp and other immersive experiences to cultivate identity. “We have 100 years of showing that Jewish camp is an effective way to build Jewish identity and community, and 20 years of Birthright data saying that immersive experiences are a powerful way to build that,” she said.

Experience Trybal Gatherings Midwest at the Wisconsin Dells on Labor Day Weekend. To learn more, visit trybalgatherings.com/midwest .
Rochelle Newman Rubinoff is a freelance writer living in the northern suburbs of Chicago.