Tel Hai strengthens bonds
of moms and daughters

Robyn’s ’Hood
By Robyn McCloskey

Last year, my sister-in-law Kelly and her daughter Leah spent a mother/daughter weekend together at Tel Hai camp, a retreat center in Honeybrook, Pa., the heart of Lancaster County, in the land of the Amish, horse and buggies and very low electric bills.
The camp sets aside the third weekend every April as a time for mothers and daughters to visit and enjoy each other’s company, away from home, away from work, away from stress.
The retreat is for girls ages 8 to 14; the mom’s age is negotiable. Last year my youngest daughter, Madeline, and I were ineligible, since she was only 7. On April 17, Maddy turned 8, and since the camp weekend was slated for the 18th to the 20th, we registered ahead of time and anticipated our weekend together.
Kelly and Leah had such a great time the year before that they couldn’t wait to attend again, so on that Friday night we picked them up and carpooled the hour and a half to Honeybrook. We knew we were getting close when we noticed a woman in a plain black dress trimming the front half of her farm with a weedwacker. Apparently the Amish are opposed to electricity, but gas-operated lawn and garden tools are fine. There also was no denying we were close to our destination when the stench of the farm-fresh air began to permeate our spoiled suburban nostrils.
We arrived just in time to throw our cotton sleeping bags on the stark metal bunks in our cabin, full of 18 other cotton sleeping bags and stark metal bunks, and head out to the evening meeting. It was usual camp fare: some singing, some games, a snack and lights out.
Needless to say, the lights-out factor did nothing to squelch the excitement of 10 little girls spending the weekend away from home, even if their moms were zippered into the bottom bunks and pleading with them to be quiet and go to sleep.
After a fitful night’s rest amid giggling girls and squeaky metal beds, morning came much too soon. We headed en masse to the mess hall for the first of five meals, an absolutely giddy feeling because it meant we moms did not have to plan, shop, cook or clean.
After the morning meeting, we had hours of free time to fill with activities. Camp Tel Hai spans more than 100 acres, including a seven-acre lake. And it seemed like every acre offered something to do. My daughter and I did more in one day than we’d typically do in a year. We went canoeing and paddle-boating, walked the challenging ropes course, shot with bows and arrows, played miniature golf and climbed a rock wall.
I surprised myself when I mustered the courage to climb a 35-foot pole and fly along a 400-foot cable. Maddy surprised me when she demonstrated the ability to ride and lead a horse. We even found time to do the obligatory camp craft.
That night featured the highly anticipated annual talent show. Some of the mother/daughter returnees came well-prepared; some of us didn’t have a clue. Madeline, her cousin Leah and the rest of their newfound buddies carved out some time to plan a skit they all could be part of. It was well thought out, nicely executed, and it got a good reception.
The highlight of Saturday night was the bonfire and its typical tradition — singing songs and roasting marshmallows, but it also was nice to listen to moms and their daughters share not only how much the weekend meant to them, but, more important, how much they meant to each other.
Sunday’s departure time came even quicker than the daylight hours. Before we knew it, it was time to roll our sleeping bags and head home. Like Kelly and Leah the year before, Maddy and I cannot wait to return to Tel Hai.
I’m not exactly sure what the words Tel Hai mean, but if I had to venture a guess, it would be creating lifelong precious memories with my daughter. Sharing time isn’t always easy these days. The weekend camp at Tel Hai reminded us all how important that is. ••
Robyn McCloskey’s column appears each week in the Northeast Times. She can be reached at crmccloskey@verizon.net