Shomrei Adamah: Kids’ summer program

Registration below!

Shomrei Adamah (Keepers of the Earth) is an outdoor education program where kids under 10 years old can explore the relationship between Jewish tradition and the land where we live. This year, we’ll be based at Woolman Hill Retreat Center in Deerfield. 5 weeks on Thursday mornings 9-11:30am on July 13, 20, 27, August 3 and August 10.

Shomrei Adamah is an outdoor education program that connects kids and their parents to Jewish tradition and culture through land-based activities, including nature play, introduction to Hebrew words and blessings, learning and participating in land stewardship and growing food. We provide a gentle, creative and engaging format to the morning. Caregivers stay with kids during the program. Register for individual weeks or for the whole 5 week program!

This is not a drop-off program. Children are expected to have a caregiver present during the program. This is mostly an outdoor program where we’ll be in the woods and in open green space. Some weeks we’ll have access to a building for bathroom use and in case of rain. Other weeks we’ll be entirely outside.

We provide a healthy and substantial snack during the program. Any questions, contact [email protected].

Temple Israel members: $20/week or $90/ 5 weeks; $10/week for each additional kid

Non-members: $25/week or $110/ 5 weeks $10/week for each additional kid

Covid Information: This program is outdoors. We’ll be inside only if there’s serious rain. Masks are optional. Please stay home if you or anyone in your home has tested positive for COVID 19. If you’re not sure whether or not to attend, please contact the educators.

Accessibility Information: This program primarily takes place outdoors and is a mixture of forest time and time in open ground. Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. If you’re interested in attending and you or your child has accessibility needs, please contact [email protected] to ask about more detailed accessibility information.

This program is supported by the generous funding of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Shomrei Adamah Educators

Megan is so excited to be co-facilitating Shomrei Adamah this year. Time in nature, youth work, and Jewish education are all things Megan loves and getting to combine them is going to be a treat! Megan comes to this work with many years of experience in Jewish organizing, and over a decade as an educator for folks of all ages! They are also leading this year’s new teen program, Living Justice, and are really looking forward to the chance to meet more families, and expand their connection with the Temple Israel Community.

Nina comes to Shomrei Adamah with over a decade of experience farming in the Valley. They are the garden manager and educator at Sinai Temple in Springfield, where they love the opportunity to work with people of all ages to deepen their connection to place and our tradition. They are excited to bring what they’ve learned to Temple Israel’s Shomrei Adamah program this summer!