Shomrim (“Guardians”) is a year-long leadership program where teens immerse in wilderness, gain life skills, build peer community, and learn Jewish values that guide them through life. Teens practice important life skills that deepen their confidence in taking on new responsibilities to care for themselves and others.

With Shlemut (“wholeness”) as the primary goal, Shomrim supports healthy teen development, which cultivates well-being and an ability to navigate life’s challenges.

Program Includes:

Pillars of the Program

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Learning to identify and take responsibility for your physical needs
• Practicing self regulation skills – through journaling, time in nature, asking for help, etc
• Growing a practice of checking in on and caring for each other, including giving and receiving feedback

Jewish Connection

• Discover and explore relationship to Jewish identity
• Experience Jewish life through ritual, study, and Jewish peer community building
• Learn about Hebrew calendar cycles and Torah stories
• Personalize and internalize when and how to give brachot (blessings)

Leadership: 

• Experience challenges that facilitate growth and learning with guided mentorship 
• Strengthen decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Learn to build and lead peer community through co-creating prayer and ritual experiences, holding council, and collaboratively planning and preparing for the backpacking trip

Stewardship & Purpose: 

• Gain greater sense of purpose and service
• Deepen connection to nature and practice of environmental care
• Take time to pause and reflect on personal life goals
  

Inclusive Community:

• Embrace differing views to grow healthy, compassionate relationships.
• Engage with other teens who identify as Jews, different religious affiliations, and/or those whose Jewish identity feels complicated.
• Connect with a diverse cohort of teens that welcomes interfaith families, gender expansive youth, teens who identify as LGBTQ+, and people of color.