URJ Olin-Sang Ruby (OSRUI)
URJ Olin-Sang Ruby
Grades Served:
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), located in Oconomowoc, WI, is an open and safe Jewish community dedicated to welcoming and valuing every individual. We recommit ourselves daily to growing this intentional camp community and tending to its roots: openness, inclusivity, sensitivity, Jewish tradition, and the belief that we are all B’tzelem Elohim – created in God’s image. OSRUI is a place where each community member is safe, able to enjoy all that we have to offer, and has the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves. For seventy years, the OSRUI Community has created a fun, supportive environment where campers can explore, challenge themselves, and develop their passions. At camp, kids of all abilities and backgrounds strengthen their Jewish identities, all while surrounded by beautiful facilities and expert staff. Programs include:
- Kallah (Classic Camp): This classic summer camp experience allows entering 6th graders to enjoys days filled with swimming, sports, Hebrew, and electives. Campers live in cabins with about 12 other campers of their grade and 3-4 counselors.
- Kibbutz Hatzofim (Outdoor Living): In Tzofim, which is modeled after a Kibbutz, entering 6th and 7th grade campers live in platform tents and help prepare meals, tend the garden, and take care of our animals in a tight-knit community. Each day is also filled with swimmings, sports, Hebrew, electives and more.Tzofim is designed for campers who are independent and really enjoy the outdoors and living in a rustic environment.
- Gesher (Focus, Choice, and Community): Gesher is the unit at camp entering 6th-10th grade campers looking to experience everything that OSRUI has to offer. Campers enjoy living in cabins, all of the traditional camp programming, and exciting electives. Campers will also get to choose an intensive such as “making a musical,” sports and conditioning, aquatics, or science.
- Moshavah (Outdoor Adventure and Challenge): Moshavah campers entering grades 8-10 live in their own community village on the edge of camp. In Mosh, campers experience an intense and challenging summer featuring some of the elements of regular camp programming as well as taking two or three multi-day trips out of camp (backpacking, biking, canoeing, and rock climbing). Their trips will focus on exploring their Jewish connection to teva (nature), team building, group decision-making, and leadership training. When in camp, campers live in a platform tent (sleeping in bunk beds) and participate in chugim (electives), swimming, boating, grill outs, and more!
- Tour La’Agam (Wheels Around Lake Michigan): The only trip of its kind, Tour La’Agam is a spectacular bike ride on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Teens entering grades 10-12 bike hundreds of miles as they explore the byways, forests, dunes, and the simple enormity and beauty of the lake.Services are a part of each day and Jewish learning directed toward a better understanding of ecology and the land rounds out the experience.This remarkable ride is a celebration of the power of the lake and its vitality as well as an exploration of each teen’s physical, emotional, and spiritual self. Each night is spent camping out in tents at campgrounds along the way. Participants in this program must be prepared to ride up to 50-60 miles each day.
- Avodah (Internships, Work, and Study): This ultimate camp internship for entering 12th graders will bridge the gap between both camp and “the real world” as well as the journey from camper to staff member – all while keeping the traditions and spirit of the program the same that we’ve loved for generation. Avodah provides real work experience, practice translating the experience to college resumes and essays, and an amazing summer with camp friends.