Activities
Campers are busy and active from 8:00 AM until 9:00 PM! We have full, action-packed, varied days with something for everyone. Our program is balanced including team sports, with intramural leagues (one of our most popular programs within camp) and intercamp meets, individual sports, art and creative options, a full waterfront on gorgeous Lake Tispaquin, adventure sports, field trips, special days and more!
The athletic field at Camp Avoda, surrounded by camper bunks is the scene of flag football and
other variations of the game with an emphasis on fair play, safety rules, and good coaching and
refereeing by attentive staff.
Football
A camper favorite, soccer is played on a short field for our youngest campers and the entire
length of the field for older Avoda campers. Soccer is played as part of the Avoda League
activity, and also available daily as an elective.
Soccer
Beach volleyball is a popular sport at Avoda. The courts are located at the waterfront and are
busy all day long.
Volleyball
Camp Avoda basketball courts are filled with boys dribbling, shooting and passing from before
breakfast until close to lights out! A popular place in camp, lights make nighttime hoops
possible, and well-trained counselors teach skills, sportsmanship, and team cooperation.
Basketball
Arriving at camp, the recently built hockey court is one of the first sports areas a visitor or
camper sees. Street hockey is a popular sport at Camp Avoda where clacking sticks and rapidly
moving hockey balls are controlled by hockey players of all ages.
Hockey
Whether practicing shots with a ball machine, hitting against the wall or honing skills by playing
with other campers, Avoda tennis players have many opportunities to play singles and doubles
in camp and even some mixed doubles in annual tournaments against other camps.
Tennis
Whether on a well-lit field at night, or played on a sunny afternoon, competitive softball is a
popular choice for many Avoda campers looking to hit a homerun or even practice a “bunko”…
hitting a ball as far as the bunks! Using your glove and “robbing” a bunko is also a favorite
camper (and counselor) pastime!
Softball
The woodshop is a hive of activity with campers planning and measuring, sawing and sanding as
they create a variety of items form birdhouses and bookshelves to tables and Adirondack
chairs. Boys are welcome to research and plan their projects and are well-supervised by
experienced specialty staff.
Woodshop
Creativity abounds as Avoda campers draw, paint, create clay bowls and animals, and use the
pottery wheel to create vases and other items. There is a wide variety of media available and
our artist in residence works with campers to create additions to camp as well as creations to
take home.
Arts & Crafts
Creative campers are guided as they develop skills in digital photography as well as traditional
photography developed in house in the Camp Avoda darkroom. Taught by our professional
photographer who also takes photos and posts them daily, campers are treated to specialized
quality instruction.
Photography
One of the newest program additions is a maker space which is the home of the Camp Avoda
Tee-Shirt shop (new in 2022). Campers enjoy this air-conditioned space that houses a variety of
creative enterprises.
Maker Space
When walking into camp, it is impossible to miss the beautiful painted climbing wall that is
nearly always in use. The forty- foot wall provides an opportunity for campers to test their
climbing skills, try a daring activity in a safe setting and maybe even race against their friends.
Staffed by certified instructors well trained in belay techniques and safety, this is a popular spot
at Camp Avoda.
Climbing Wall
Mountain biking is a popular activity at Camp Avoda. Beginners often enjoy the short trails
around camp, while more experienced riders may leave camp and take a scenic ride all round
Lake Tispaquin. Sometimes led by Executive Director, Ken Shifman!
Mountain Biking
Follow a winding path through a beautiful wooded area of camp, there is a clearing with a well-
designed archery range. Trained and certified instructors teach the basics of target shooting,
safety rules and procedures, and design activities to be interesting for our campers. Campers
can participate in a sport that promotes focus and concentration as well as the chance to
increase self-confidence.
Archery
Camp Avoda takes pride in offering a well-rounded program. Many of our campers enjoy
learning to navigate the natural environment learning outdoor cooking, good hiking practices,
pitching a tent and building a variety of useful fires. These activities emphasize care for our
natural resources, keeping outdoor areas clean, and caring for our environment.
Outdoor Adventure
Camp Avoda is enriched by serving boys with varied Jewish experiences. Campers enjoy celebrating Shabbat, Learning about the culture of Israel from Israeli counselors, and meeting a large number of Jewish peers.. All of these boys live and play together and become a part of the rich fabric of camp life.
Jewish Life
Fitness is important to many campers at Avoda. A well-maintained and equipped weight room
is supervised by experienced staff who teach skills and ensure the safety of the boys. Pre-
breakfast runs are common at camp and often led by bunk counselors. These activities build
self-confidence and relationships based upon common interests.
Weights/Fitness
The Camp Avoda dining room is home to delicious, spirited meals, but that is not all! Ping Pong
tables line the back wall and are in use before breakfast, during the day and all the way up to
bedtime! Tournaments appear organically and we even have a trophy at the end of the summer
for the player with the most wins!
Ping Pong
Learning to paddle is part of acquiring good watercraft skills. The boys at Camp Avoda enjoy
time in a kayak, canoe and on a paddleboard…even the gigantic eleven-person board! Campers
prepare for the three-day canoe trip that is part of the program for senior campers.
Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboard
The serene environment on Lake Tispaquin is perfect for learning to sail. Campers can sail larger
boats as well as learn to solo in a smaller easy to manage craft.
Sailing
Lake Tispaquin has a wide variety of fish that our boys enjoy catching-and releasing. For many
of our campers, time spent fishing after several hours of active time on the athletic field is a
great way to relax.
Fishing
Camp Avoda has a strong swimming program including lessons using American Red Cross
guidelines and certified instructors. Many swimmers enjoy the challenge of “swimming to the
rock”, a rite of passage as they swim to a large rock in the middle of the lake. The boys also
enjoy general swims, and the use of the floating obstacle course in Lake Tispaquin.
Swimming
During a waterfront period, boys can choose to relax while fishing, paddle a kayak or canoe, or,
have a bit more of an adventure. Our motorboats are equipped for water-tubing and
waterskiing on the lake. Many campers like to try out tubing before they try out their ski-legs!
Water-tubing and Waterskiing
Every day at Avoda is special, but some are out of the ordinary! Water slides on the main field, inflatable jousting and theme days are all part of the summer fun.
Special Events and Days
Trip Day at Avoda historically has been every Thursday. While we always to try to experience new things at Avoda, there are some trademark trips that our campers love every year and have become a staple of our programming.
Field Trips
We begin our aspirational arcs with our Sophomore Overnight, a recent annual tradition where our 11 year old campers camp out in tents, hike, swim, enjoy waterfalls, and more, in the Berkshires. Each year, campers in Bunk 14 embark on a 3-day trip which is planned by its counselors.