Day 22 of GIVE USA was a major road trip day! All decked out in our new pink shirts we hit the busses and got an early start to the morning. We arrived in a gorgeous blueberry field a few hours later. We had a picnic lunch there and spent some time picking blueberries. Afterwards we boarded the bus and continued on our way. Our second stop of the day was at a special view point near Multonomah Falls. We were all excited to view the gorgeous scenery. Later on, we arrived at the JCC in Portland where we had a delicious dinner. We then had the opportunity to hear a speech from Meira Spivak, who is involved with Portland NCSY. We then had a special and unique night activity- Health Night! We watched an inspiring collection of videos, which taught us the importance of self-esteem and healthy self perception, and got us to think about how we define what “beauty” is. We also did a small exercise in which you were required to list some of your negative traits and some of your positive traits. This was a very well received program, with the girls both enjoying the evening and also gaining some valuable life insights. We headed to our new lodgings for the evening and went to sleep. We cannot wait for our first day in Portland tomorrow!

We all had an inspiring day here on GIVE USA West. We started off the morning with davening and chaburahs. We had most of the day off to relax or learn, and there were optional videos and shiurim throughout the day. We gathered together towards the end of the fast for a meaningful activity. We sat in a circle and had a kumsitz, which was interspersed with interjections from our advisors who personally explained what the churban means to them. After this we went to the chabad house for a delicious break-fast meal. IyH this should be our last fast and that we will all be together and with the bais hamikdash extremely soon! After dinner we headed back to the university to pack up our bags and get read to go to sleep. As an exciting surprise, we received NCSY “Best Summer Ever” GIVE USA West shirts! Tired from the day and excited for tomorrow, GIVE USA set off to bed. Good night!

We had an amazing day here on GIVE USA! We set off this morning to the famous Crater Lake. Upon our arrival to the famous park we entered the visitor’s centre to watch a short film about the history of Crater Lake. We learned about the fascinating site, and how it originated as a massive volcano which exploded and over thousands of years filled up with melted snow. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in North America and is famous for its bright blue color and extremely clear water. We then began our hike! We hiked up to the top of the mountain, braving the sunny weather with our GIVE spirit! We were all excited to see SNOW covering parts of the mountain, and we even had a snowball fight! Once we reached the top we got to enjoy a spectacular view. We had lunch, davened mincha and took pictures with the gorgeous scenery. We then hiked back down. We boarded the bus and headed back to the chabad house for dinner. After we ate we stopped at Walmart to pick up snacks and drinks in preparation for tomorrow’s fast. Back at the university campus we had a small night program to set the tone for shi’va asar b’taamuz in which we divided the girls into groups based on the schools they came from. Each group was to think of and plan a chessed initiative that they could bring back and implement in their schools at home. We stressed to them that the chessed and giving that we are doing this summer does not end when our program does, rather it continues into the year and more importantly into their lives in general. We want them to take the tools they have gained here and use them to make a difference. All of the GIVE USA’ers can make this difference, and we were excited to see them all use their leadership qualities to plan for the upcoming year. We then watched a short movie presentation about galus, and the power of the individual to affect change. Feeling inspired (and full!), we set off to bed. Have an easy fast everyone!

GIVE USA West had a beautiful Shabbos in Sacramento! The community was very excited to have us and made us feel extremely welcome. We ate Friday night dinner in the shul and after an oneg and a game walked back to our hotel. Shabbos morning we walked backed to the shul where we davened and then had a learning session. The theme of this Shabbos was “finding a role model”, so we divided into small groups and read through a learning session on thiss topic. Shabbos lunch was also eaten in the shul, and afterwards we had an advisor panel. The girls really enjoyed this opportunity to get to know more their advisors, and to even ask some questions of their own. After this activity, we had some free time. The girls used this time to have chavrusas with advisors, hang out with eachother, sleep or walk around. We regrouped for shalosh seudos and a beautiful ebbing and havdallah. The ruach and achdus seen within the camp over this Shabbos was really unbelievable. Motzai Shabbos we played an entertaining game of Panoply, and had an ice cream party! We headed back to our hotel late, but feeling fulfilled from such a beautiful Shabbos.

Sunday was a road trip day! We set off for Ashland. We stopped off at the beautiful Sundial Bridge and park. We had chaburahs outdoors and a picnic lunch. We then returned to the road, stopping again to take a picture at the side of the highway where you can technically stand in two states at once! We arrived at our new accommodations- the Southern Oregon University dorms – unpacked and left for dinner. We ate at the Chabad house of Ashland. We then went to downtown Ashland and to the famous Shakespeare festival that this city is known for. We saw a dramatic and passionate performance of Richard III. Afterwards we returned to our dorm and went off to sleep. Can’t wait to explore Ashland tomorrow!

We had a wonderful Friday here on GIVE USA West! We set off this morning and drove to Lake Tahoe! We arrived at the gorgeous waterfront, got fitted with lifejackets and hit the lake! We spent the next two hours kayaking and paddle-boarding, as well as sun tanning and hanging out on the beach. When we finished with our water sports we had a picnic lunch on the dock. We then boarded the bus to head back to the hotel, only to find out that there was a special surprise in store for us! We stopped at 7/11 to get free slurpees, since today is July 11- national 7/11 day!! We then made our way back to Sacramento to our hotel to get ready for Shabbos. It’s hard to believe that we are spending our third Shabbos together, but we can’t wait! GIVE USA West wishes all of our friends and family a beautiful and restful Shabbos!! Check out our weekly video!

Today was a jam-packed day on GIVE USA West!! We started off with a super-early morning and headed to the Glide Soup Kitchen. We split into two groups, half of us had chaburah and some free time, while the others started the chessed activity. We were put to work in the kitchen slicing, chopping and sandwich-making. After about two hours we rotated.  We all left with the satisfying feeling of having really done something to help others. We saw the amazing work they do at Glide and we felt happy and lucky to be a part of such an operation. After such an uplifting activity, we headed to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge! We took a refreshing walk across the entire span of the bridge, and everyone was excited to take pictures with this landmark. Feeling energized, we set off to the very fun Jelly Belly Factory! We got a behind the scenes tour and saw firsthand how they make their delicious candy. The tour culminated with free samples and a visit to their cute gift shop. We then drove to Sacramento where we will be staying for the next few days. We had a delicious dinner in the shul and heard about the community and their history. We finished off this busy day with a walking tour of Old Sacramento, visiting the stores and a vintage-style candy shop! We then settled into our new hotel, exhausted and fulfilled from such a busy and fun day!

Today was a fantastic day on GIVE USA!! We started off our morning by heading to the Google headquarters! We split into our chaburahs for some learning on the beautiful Google campus, before we officially started our tour there. We were then met by Barry Berkowitz, a professional “Googler” as well as a NY NCSY alum! He led us around the unbelievable Google campus. He did a Q and A session and spoke about his job there and what its like to work in such a cool facility. We were all amazed at how modern and interesting the entire campus was, as well as how unique their staff policies are! They do not have a set time to show up at work, they can come and go as they please as long as they work on certain goals. The cafeterias are free for all employees, they can bring pets to work (especially dogs), and there are on-site volleyball courts, swimming pools, and exercise rooms. Needless to say many GIVE USA’ers are now seriously contemplating a career in the Google field! After this incredible opportunity we hit the bus and set off for San Francisco city! There we played a really cool scavenger hunt throughout the downtown streets of San Fran. The scavenger hunt was a professional game through “Stray Boots”. After registering, the website sent each team a text message prompt, that directed the team around the area in order to find different things or spot certain landmarks. The girls split up into ten teams of four and had a blast competing for the next two hours (Congrats to team #1)! After we regrouped we boarded the San Francisco cable car for a ride up the hilly city and enjoyed the gorgeous views. We were then treated to a delicious sushi dinner! After which, we had some free time around Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular, bustling area of the city, with a gorgeous view overlooking the bay. We then headed back to our hotel for an early night so we can be well rested for an early day tomorrow!! Good night!

We started off our day bright and early and boarded the bus to Yosemite National Park. The park was gorgeous, filled with huge mountains, majestic waterfalls, lush forests, and a wide variety of plants and animals. We all had a good time walking along the trail and seeing the beautiful scenery. We then met up with Ranger Chris who spoke to us about the park and the wildlife. She gave us a presentation about the creatures that live in Yosemite, showed us some pictures and even allowed us to feel real skinned animals. We also saw a short movie about the park and checked out their visitor’s center and gift shop. We then headed to Chabad at Berkeley where Rabbi and Rebbetzin Leeds so graciously gave us a delicious BBQ dinner. We ate in the Jewish student house of the university. We were also given a tour of the Berkeley mikvah and Rebetzin Ferris spoke briefly about it’s history. We were then treated to a speech by Rabbi Green, father of Rabbi Jon Green, director of NCSY Camp Sports, and a resident of Berkeley. He spoke to us about “shelo asani isha”, and the power of asking questions. We all really enjoyed hearing from him. We then headed to our new hotel in San Francisco. For our second annual Torah Tuesday Night, Rabbi Katz (Director of MMY) gave an optional Q & A session in the lobby and the girls really enjoyed asking him about a variety of topics. After such a long and fun day everyone went straight to bed, eagerly awaiting the next exciting day of GIVE USA West!

Today was ‘Israel Day’ on GIVE USA West! We started off the morning by singing Hatikva after davening and breakfast.  Decked out in blue and white, we then boarded the busses and headed to a gleaning facility called “The Gleaning Project”. We sorted through peaches to make sure only the best was being put into containers for the poor. We washed, cored, sliced, dried, and packaged the peaches. We even got to taste the dried fruit in the field! The organization that we helped is an incredible one and they send their produce all over the world, in an effort to feed the poor. They even send to Israel! After this exciting chessed activity we headed back to the Zirkind chabad house. We heard a shiur all about gleaning and Leket from Rabbi Katz of MMY seminary (who is visiting us for a few days), and then played a spirited game of machanayim (Israeli dodgeball). After a delicious “Israeli Style” dinner cooked by Rebetzin Zirkind, a panel discussion was held by our advisors, where they discussed Israel, it’s different aspects and what it means to them. We then headed to our new hotel. There was optional night swim and some relaxation time. Can’t wait for Yosemite tomorrow!