All our camps are now FULL!

Ofek returns this summer for Years 7-8 (England) and P7-S1 (Scotland) FZY is a lifechanging journey, and the first step along this path is Ofek. FZY’s 8-night summer camp provides not only a great soft landing into the UK’s oldest and largest Zionist youth movement but offers a fun and exciting way for participants to spend part of their summer holidays. Ofek brings together young people from across the UK providing a safe space to meet new friends whilst spending quality time within their existing relationships.

 

With more than a quarter of a century of summer camp experience in the UK, FZY utilises this to create an Ofek schedule packed with the perfect balance of fun, outdoor activities, engaging educational content, and opportunities for participants to select what they want to do. Although no two days on Ofek are the same, here are a few examples of the different types of activities that will be interspersed throughout the camp.

Misdar Boker – This is an atmospheric way to start to the day. FZY brings the entirety of the Ofek camp together to sing, chant, dance and have fun with one another whilst learning about their plan for the day ahead in an organised and lively ceremony.

Chugim – Everyone has their own passions and skills, and these chugim sessions allow participants to focus on these. Whether participants choose to focus on art, drama, sport, Israel, dance, creative writing, or something else, they will undoubtedly be grateful for the opportunity to mix with others who have similar pastimes whilst engaging with what they love.

Extravaganza Programming – FZY summer camps are known for their large-scale activities, such as its Maccabiah Games where participants compete in a variety of events, and the Colour War where groups battle it out in a messy entertaining way. These are often some of the highlights of Ofek.

Education-Focused Activities – It may be the summer holidays, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn. FZY are informal education specialists, and many of the activities will delve into an engaging educational theme around FZY’s ideologies using a wealth of creative methodologies to do so.

ODT & Day Trips – Creating opportunities for participants to bond whilst having fun together is an important concept of Ofek. In previous years we have achieved this through outdoor activities, zorbing, hiking, archery, zip lining or other exciting activities. This summer will be no different with some of the time focused on this.

Shabbat – The word shabbatmosphere is often used at FZY events to explain the uplifting environment created on Shabbat. As a pluralist movement, FZY’s programming on this day caters for everyone’s beliefs, and does so whilst bringing Ofek together in a joyous atmosphere to mark the significance of the day.

Zman Kvutsa & Family Time – FZY create a couple of different smaller consistent groups that meet regularly throughout the camp to chill together and process the journey the group are going on.

Kesher UK is back for Years 9-10 (England) and S2-S3 (Scotland), lasting 11 nights and 12 days. Whether you are coming back for another year, or starting your FZY journey, Kesher UK is a fantastic place to be this summer. Whilst still bringing together participants from across Britain, the Kesher UK summer camp retains many of the highlights from Ofek whilst building upon these in ways more suited for the age of the participants.

Some of the new aspects to look out for in Kesher UK include:

Extended Programme – The Kesher UK summer camp is three days longer than our Ofek programme. As such, it provides more time for the participants to engage with the creative programming that is so loved. Additionally, the extra time allows us to delve deeper into the educational components of the camp and to introduce age-appropriate new, different, and innovative activities.

Israeli Participant Delegation – At Kesher UK we don’t just speak about Israel, we create the framework to become personally acquainted with Israel. FZY are planning to bring over a delegation of around 15 Israelis, who are the same age as the Kesher UK participants, to join the summer camp. Not only will the Israeli delegation be able to share about their life in Israel, but they will act as a window into Israeli society, friendships will be formed, new cultures experienced, and fun times had by all.

Stepping Up – The teenage participants of Kesher UK are ready to level up and enter the next stage of their FZY journey. As such, Kesher UK provides opportunities for participants to take that step. Whether that be through a volunteer or social action project the group undertake, by being provided additional responsibility as part of a short-term structured leadership role with their peers or creating a platform to investigate issues important to them, the Kesher UK summer camp will ensure a safe dynamic environment for growth, fun, and exploration. The day trips, shabbatmosphere, FZY Maccabiah Games, and several other highlights from past FZY summer camps will all still be present, but additionally Kesher UK will take the summer camp experience to the next level of deeper connection, engagement and fun