By COLlive reporter
“Years ago, it was a rarity. There were few programs,” says Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm, Director of Yeshivas Kayitz Minnesota (YKM), referring to the changing landscape of summer programs for Mesivta bochurim.
As his program in the city of Freeborn celebrates its 13th year, he recalls the early days when “programs were able to succeed without being well-planned or well-run simply because there wasn’t much competition.”
The 8th and 9th graders that attend these learn-and-play summer Yeshivas are also different nowadays, he told COLlive.com.
“In our first few years, the guys that enrolled wanted to be pioneers; they wanted to be the first, the original. Now the excitement of ‘new’ wore off, and we’re getting guys that are looking for the perfect mix of fun and learning.”
Following years as campers in Gan Israel overnight day camps, Bar Mitzvah boys typically looked forward to attending a program that fits their more mature status.
And while the prices continue to be costly, like the camps, Rabbi Wilhelm makes the case that the program is worth the stretch (and flight).
“I think the Yeshivas Kayitz is more advantageous for a bochur because all the koach, all the planning, and all the effort that goes in to them. There is no dual focus. We have one goal – give you the best summer of your life.”
“Because today there’s a big variety for bochurim to choose from, the programs need to be exceptional in every way,” he says and adds a point to his program’s advantage: “The best indicator of a great program is its longevity.”
Find out more about Rabbi Wilhelm’s program at YKMinnesota.com
VIDEO: (Turn off music for Sefirah)
yitzy smith awesome director!
you are the beast director any camp could get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rabbi wilhelm is poshut “torah ugdulah bemokom eched”- a talmid chochom who understands the needs of each bochur
is Mendy.H going back as chef? i hope so 😉
could not have agreed more with number 11. and to add another point why so much indulgence when we are trying to teach these young boys at the cusp of maturity not to indulge. i just don’t get it. why do we take our kids (and their counselors) to amusement parks and expose them to every single thing we tell them not to look at (and i am writing as aidel as possible)???? maybe this camp doesnt, i dont know but every other camp does, why it is really unfair to these young men.
Why can’t yeshivos transplant themselves (at least older boys)to the country like other chassidishe yeshivas do and continue learning in a nice relaxing atmosphere. Why do parents have to go crazy trying to get their kids in to the “top” summer camps with their limited space and then have many good boys unhappy with their summer plans? I think it is time to meet the needs of these kids in a good and healthy way! A gut zummer to all.
I hope they still have room!! I really wanna go back!!
the Rebbe would be proud i got more from YKM then i got in a whole year we did the whole “makos bal peh” i dont even remember the mesechta we learned in ot that year…..
go YKM!!
since 5755, just after gimmul tammuz, oholei torah closed down its mesivta for the summer. this has led to hefkeirus.
what would the rebbe say?
you can try the latest-coolest YKs, but you’re better off going with the tried and true – YKM.
it was one of my best summer
ykm rocks
I had the best summer of my life in ykm!!
My younger brothers going this year and I hear they have an
Awesome program planned with amazing staff
GO YKM!!!!!!!!!!
I want to thank Rabbi Wilhelm and all The YKM staff over the years . Three of my sons attended and were very happy there. The learning the spirit and activities together with the caring staff have made the summers there unforgettable. Yasher Koach.
MENDY HASSAN, DAH MAN
YKM!