Posted by Jared S

Program Host	Chapter
Host Region and Chapter	Lonestar Jack Lubel AZA
Program Type	Athletic Brotherhood Community Service Education Judaic Movie/Film Prayer/Services Separates Sisterhood Social Social Action Travel/Adventure
Time Required	Weekend
Target Population(s)	Convention Participants
Folds Targeted	Athletic Judaic Community Service/Social Activism Education Social
People Participating	30-60

Program Summary:

 Lubel and Wise spent the weekend together at the Gordon Campsite with five-fold and Eurocentric programming

Full Description:

Lubel's Godol Zack Strauss, Lubel's Vice President Jared Selsberg, Wise's N'siah Marissa Finkelman, and Wise's S'ganit Alyssa Capin planned a Brotherhood/Sisterhood Weekend revolving around the theme of Europe.
On Friday afternoon, participants ride load up their luggage on a bus and ride to the JCC's Gordon Campsite. Upon arrival, convention-goers learn about the weekend's theme and are divided up into four teams: Italy, Britain, Spain, and France, the team leaders being Jared, Marissa, Zack, and Alyssa. The first program was French speed dating. After being informed that France, specifically the language and Paris are associated with romanticism, the chapters asked and answered questions pre-made by Alyssa to function as an affective icebreaker. After the French speed dating icebreaker, the chapters ate an authentic Italian meal: delivered pizza and Caesar salad. After dinner, European-themed services were held.
Chapters then participated in our Judaic Program: Facing Anti-Semitism. First, we showed clips from "Kike Like Me" polarizing documentary about anti-semitism around the world. Chapters were then broken into their respective teams and team leaders asked provocative discussion questions and introduced thought-invoking, realistic scenarios on the topic of confronting anti-semitism to their groups. After this serious program, BBGs and AZAs split up for separates and went to the cabins for the night.
On Saturday, teens wake up and eat breakfast together. After breakfast, the Sh'lichim lead services. Then, the chapters listened to a distinguished speaker, a war veteran who spoke about the emotional trials and human experiences of serving our country and being displaced from family. Inspired by the speaker, the chapters created greeting cards expressing appreciation to be sent to soldiers overseas.
A delicious lunch was then grilled and enjoyed by Wise and Lubel. A little break was then provided, so that the teens could relax and digest before the athletic program, the Greek Olympiad. Summoning the sports of the ancient Greeks, the teams competed in a myriad of athletic events, most notably tug of war and capture the flag. To end an exhausting competition, teams participated in a WWII reenactment (Spain and Italy v. Britain and France), a fun, epic water balloon fight.
Needing to change, cool-down, and relax, the chapters took a snack and relaxation break. Teens were encouraged to change into togas (bed sheets) for our toga party that night. The chapters ate dinner together and went to party! They walked to a campfire, where they sang together, made s'mores, and enjoyed each other's company.
After the campfire adventure, the participants listened to the leader's presentation about the British Invasion in music. The chapters were educated about how Britain affected popular music throughout the decades through comprehending a slideshow, watching videos, and listening to songs. After a busy, fun-filled day, Wise and Lubel split up for the night.
Sunday, everyone woke up, put on their new Bro/Sis t-shirts, ate breakfast, and reflected on the weekend. Ending their exciting Eurotrip. they packed up and a bus drove them back to Houston.

Cost: Members were charged $125 each.

Staffing: Each chapter had 2 chaperones.

Food: The food was provided by a variety of sources: pizza, pasta, and salad by local restaurants, other meals prepared by chaperones and volunteers.

Publicity: We sent out the flyer and sign-up before the retreat. We also created a Facebook event.

Transportation: We took a bus to and from the campsite. All activities were located on the campsite.

Submitter's Suggestions:

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