THE GESHER PROGRAM

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The Gesher Program at 6 Points Sci-Tech & Arts Academy is a 4- to 6-week values-based leadership development program designed for rising high school seniors. It is a hands-on leadership experience that lets teens learn, try new things, and grow themselves AND their resumes to help prepare them for life after high school!

 

Gesher Goals

Our Gesher Teen Leadership Program (Gesher means "bridge”) gives our teens the opportunity to build community and become effective leaders and role models at camp and beyond. Designed for rising 12th graders (current 11th graders), the program helps teens make a meaningful transition from being a participant/camper to being a leader, teacher, or mentor for younger kids in a Jewish STEM and Creative Arts context.

The program’s goals are to create opportunities for personal and professional growth, provide hands-on leadership experience, develop skills in supporting others, and explore how to impact camp in a meaningful way, all while adding depth to teen resumes and completing community service hours.

 

Elements of the Gesher Program

Jewish Leadership: Gesher participants will meet with staff and educational faculty to explore essential questions in Judaism and wrestle with the connections between Judaism, STEM, and the Creative Arts. Teens will also gain a deeper understanding of the URJ’s mission of creating a more whole, just, and compassionate world through science, technology, and the arts.

Mentorship in Innovation and Creation: Each summer, we have leadership staff, faculty, and special guests who bring a wealth of knowledge in science, Judaism, and innovation to our community. Participants will have special opportunities to meet with these leaders and learn about their unique knowledge base and skillsets. These guests and our staff will help our teens understand STEM opportunities as they think about life after high school graduation. As part of the program, teens will be guided to use their camp experience to demonstrate skills on a college resume or application.

Training in Community Building: Gesher participants will work with younger campers to learn how to build community in a small group setting. They will explore a wide variety of community-building topics, including but not limited to:

  • homesickness
  • diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • development of listening and interpersonal communication skills
  • health and safety
  • hands-on experience and opportunities to lead programming and lessons
  • learning to be a role model for younger campers
  • And more!

Training in Professional Skills: Gesher participants assist with majors and chugim (activities) under the guidance of professionals in those fields. They can also choose to learn in other areas of camp, including but not limited to writing a camp program or lesson plan, leading small and large-group activities, or even helping with communications, Jewish Life, or logistics. They will work closely with our counselors, instructors, and leadership team, who will support and mentor them as they build skills in the different areas of camp that interest them.

An Incredible Cohort: Spend the summer with an amazing cohort filled with other highly motivated, curious, and creative peers. Throughout the summer, Gesher participants will be a part of fun, Gesher-only social activities both on and off-camp as they build friends and connections that can last a lifetime.

 

Application Process & Dates

Tuition and Dates: Available on our Dates & Rates page.

Eligibility: Participants must be entering 12th grade in the Fall of 2027. Prior attendace as a camper at URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech & Arts Academy is not required to apply for the Gesher program.

Application Process: As a leadership experience, the Gesher application is more in-depth than a typical camper application and requires active participation from the Gesher applicant. We must receive your full Gesher application (including the camper application via CampInTouch, reflection questions, references, and background check questionnaire), along with completion of an official interview, before acceptance is officially granted. The first round of interviews begins in January. Space is limited, and not all applicants are guaranteed a spot in the program.

The application process consists of three parts: 

  • Submit an online camper application to URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech & Arts Academy through CampInTouch. 
  • Submit the additional Gesher Application pieces, which can be found in the “Forms & Documents” page of your CampInTouch account (available after you submit the online application). The application consists of reflection questions, three references, and a background questionnaire. 
  • An online Gesher Interview with a leadership team, camp council member, or professional volunteer. 

Differences Between Gesher Program and Typical Camper Experience: The Gesher Teen Leadership Program is a very different camp experience from being a traditional camper. It is designed for hardworking individuals who want to challenge themselves and actively engage in their own growth. The Gesher program focuses on learning the skills teens need to coach and lead others in their chosen science, technology, or creative arts field, or to support the camp community in other ways. As a result, Gesher participants will spend their time learning to support others, NOT on participating in the majors themselves. Families with teens who are not yet ready for this sort of leadership experience at camp should reach out to the main camp office at scitecharts@urj.org to learn about alternative options for rising 12th graders. 

Questions/Moving forward: If you have questions about the program or the application process, please email scitecharts@urj.org or call (410) 609-9870.