With the arrival of spring, Israel’s landscape begins to blossom and flower. After periods of wintry, gray weather when people are confined at home, it naturally becomes very important to go out of doors when spring begins to show its kind face. Zichron Menachem has recognized this strong human need, which is felt even more by children and teenagers who are struggling to combat the difficult disease of cancer.

Zichron Menachem’s spring camp for kids with cancer was its 48th Adventure Camp since “ZM” was founded in 1990. Children and teenagers from all parts of Israel were brought together to have fun, to reunite with friends from previous camps and to meet and make new friends. These children have an opportunity while at camp – being among peers who share many of the same problems and challenges – to share with each other how they are coping with their illness and overcoming it.

Chartered buses traveling from the south, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the north of Israel brought the campers to their first stop. Excited campers, counselors and staff members – including a team of volunteer doctors and nurses – convened at the Rambam Hospital Medical School in Haifa. Mr. David Pomerov, a long-time Zichron Menachem supporter and volunteer, organized a warm reception party complete with light refreshments. This was the first opportunity that campers from all over Israel had a chance to mix with one another, and for staff and counselors to reunite with the children.

The Adventure Camp’s first outing was to an I.D.F. naval base in Haifa where the entire “ZM” entourage sat down together to enjoy a festive and nutritious lunch. After the meal, the group was shown a short film about the Israeli navy. Talented members of the Israel Navy’s Entertainment Troupe then performed before the young guests. The children were given tours of a battleship, missile boat and a helicopter carrier and were also shown a display of some the navy’s armaments. Dozens of naval officers – both men and women – lovingly showed the kids around their base. The officers presented each camper with a special gift package for the upcoming holiday of Pesach, and a highly prized navy hat.

The campers were then taken on a short cruise in Haifa’s port. The youngsters enjoyed the visit and the very warm reception that they were given at the I.D.F. naval base.

The group then turned eastward and traveled across Israel – not a very long ride in such a small country – towards the Kinneret, Israel’s Sea of Galilee. The destination was the “Kinnar Classic” Hotel, located along the shores of the Kinneret. Zichron Menachem has stayed here during previous adventure camps and at outings such as group weekends for our Support Groups for parents of children who have cancer.

A special surprise awaited the campers during dinner at the hotel. A Sherut Leumi volunteer who served at “ZM” last year was celebrating a post-wedding “Sheva Brachot” dinner at the hotel, together with her bridegroom. The campers joined this celebration -- dancing and singing with much joy.

During the second day of this three-day camp, the campers were divided into two groups according to their ages – youngsters and teenagers. The teens started their day in jeeps which sped through the nearby Golan Heights. The adventurers traversed in their jeeps through raging streams fed by winter rainfall and the melting snow of Mount Hermon.

The younger campers, meanwhile, went horseback riding by the shores of Lake Kinneret. Every camper was full of smiles. In the afternoon, the younger kids had their chance to go on jeep rides while the teenagers were taken on a tour of the “Golan Heights Winery” where they had a chance to taste some of the locally-produced, world-famous wines.

In the evening, the campers sailed on a night-time cruise on the relaxing waters of the Kinneret. A musical band aboard the boat entertained the campers who danced and sang without stop, despite a busy day filled with many adventures.

On the third and final day of this adventure camp, the group traveled to Israel’s northern-most town, to picturesque Metulla. The goal was Metulla’s fun-focused sports center - “Beit Canada.” The children took aim with air rifles and pistols, while other campers played billiards, ping-pong, went bowling and enjoyed doing arts and crafts at a variety of “creativity corners”.

To cap off the day, the campers went to the Menara Cliffs-“Tzukay Menara” where a ride on a cable car takes you to the summit of the cliff. To descend these cliffs, you take a ride down the longest mountain slide in Israel. Would Zichron Menachem have its campers do anything less adventurous than this?!!

The counselors on our staff – all of them are specially chosen and trained volunteers – proved once again that they were able to achieve in only three days what another camp might attempt to do in a full week of activity.

Many of the child campers – in particular, the teenagers among them – told us at the end of camp that it gave them a most crucial break from their usual routine. These exciting attractions, which are enjoyed in an atmosphere of togetherness with others who are in the same situation, give the young cancer patients a chance to “recharge depleted batteries” which have been run down – both physically and emotionally – due to the difficulties associated with their illness.

This Zichron Menachem adventure camp – although filled with non-stop fun and happiness for three days running – once again attained its very important and serious goal: to help these children forget their illness, their pain and their fears.

The children are now eagerly looking forward to the not-so-distant 2006 summer vacation, when Zichron Menachem will run its annual summer adventure camp in London. This upcoming camp will be our 49th adventure camp in a row!

Having the chance to attend a camp like this is an objective which gives each young cancer patient a very solid goal: to continue to fight his illness and be strong enough so that he will be able to board the plane and be a camper at our next adventure camp.

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