Museum of Hope

Camp Gesher (West Coast)

Overnight

Oleksandra Nikitina and Jenny Gitkis

This program was a joint project of Camp Gesher and the Jewish Agency for Israel

This 90-minute program is an opportunity for campers to create their own museum, become “docents” for the exhibit they create, and tour each other’s exhibits. This is a large all-camp program and requires significant preparation. This is a very detailed program. All specifics, including set-up, timing and process for each station are found at the end of this writeup.

hope, museum

Hope

Campers will:

• Explore the concept of “Tikva” or “Hope” as it relates to the Jewish people: in history, in Israel, in their lives
• Reflect on different ways to think about and express hope and resilience
• Connect to Israel as a place of hope and resilience
• Consider their own capacity for hope and resilience

All Ages

Up to 100 campers (there are 9 groups)

Instructions for the 9 groups (see Museum of Hope pdf)

• 9 tables
• Large sign with the word HOPE (optional: add Hebrew – Tikva) for opening
• Signs to designate which group’s exhibit goes where in the Museum
• Post-its and markers at each station for campers to add their responses 
• Speakers for HaTivka playing during opening (Optional)
• Materials for creation of exhibits (see below)

Station #1: Tree of Hope

• Trees
• Markers
• Paper leaves
• String
• Clothespins

Tape Station #2: Path of Hope

• Clear jars
• Electric
• Tea lights or string lights
• Printed
• Handwritten quotes

Sign Station #3: Window into the future

• Cardboard
• Foam-core
• Paints
• Stickers
• Magazines
• Glue
• Marker

Station #4: Kalaniot

• Crepe paper
• Construction paper
• Clay
• Glue
• Scotch tape Station

#5: Roots and Wings

• Small smooth stones
• Acrylic paints
• Small brushes
• Sharpies,
• Varnish spray (optional)

Station #6: Reflection of Hope

• Small mirrors,
• Mirror tiles
• Foil
• Markers
• Glue
• String lights
• Star of David cutout

Station #7: Song of Hope 

• Recording device
• Cushions
• Lights
• Paper
• Pens
• Audio setup or speakers Station

#8: Wings of Livnat

• Plywood
• Jigsaw
• LEGO
• Plastic toys
• Projector - (optional)
• Paints
• Markers

Hot glue Station #9: From Darkness to Light

• Black construction paper
• Spray paint (light/neon colors)
• Stencils (stars, letters, shapes, symbols)
• Acrylic markers (optional)
• Gloves (optional)
• Wet wipes or water for cleanup
• Table covers or ground protection (optional; activity can be done outdoors)
• Spray-paint art on black paper using stencils to create glowing shapes and symbols. Campers layer light-colored spray paint to form a ‘light from darkness’ effect.


This is an all-camp program so all staff should be available

• 5 people for set up
• 2 leaders for each station
• 1 person/group to travel with campers from station to station

Large indoor space where exhibits can be set up Set up:

• The set up will take about 1 hour
• 5 people are needed to organize all the materials and set up each station
• Cards with question for each station to go along with activity
• Determine how you will divide the camp into 9 groups
• Meet with the group leaders ahead of time to give them their station task, answer any questions
• See links in Museum of Hope table for instructions and images for each station


• Introduction: 10 minutes
• Creative work time 40 minutes
• Museum visit 40 minutes
• Wrap up/debrief: 10 minutes

Introduction 10 minutes

• Gather all the campers in front of the “Hope” – “Tikva” sign (Optional: Have Hatikva playing in the background as campers arrive)
• The word “Hope” – it’s just one word, but it can mean something different to each of us.
• Where have we seen the word “Hope” or “Tikva” in relation to Israel? (HaTikva)
• Tonight we are going to create our own HaTikva Museum – The Camp….. Museum of Hope through your creation and then viewing of creative art installations, based on real Hope installations from Israel and around the world.

Here are your instructions (see Museum of Hope pdf) Divide into your group – there are 9 groups Each group will:

• Reflect on a guiding content question.
• Create an interactive/artistic piece.
• Bring it to the Museum space
• Leave 1–2 presenters at your station.
• Rotate to explore the other exhibits.

Creative work time 35 minutes

• Read and discuss the group questions
• Look at the instructions for creating your piece of art
• Divide up the tasks and get to work
• Since there are likely mixed-age groups, pay attention to the needs of younger campers. 
• Consider ways to make your exhibit interactive – ask a question or request a reflection that viewers might add 
• Designate 1-2 people to stay behind (and 1-2 people to replace them after 15 minutes)


Museum visit 40 minutes 

• Groups bring their “exhibits” to the Museum of Hope and install them 
(Have a sign for each group’s area)
• Campers have 40 minutes to walk around the Museum (just under 5 minutes per station) – they should go in their working groups
• Stagger where groups begin to avoid a viewing traffic jam
• Encourage campers to respond to the various exhibits that ask for a reflection or response (post its at each station)
• Don’t forget to switch out the campers who stayed back at their group’s exhibit
• Wrap up 5 minutes Ask a member of the mishlakhat to talk about hope from an Israeli perspective and why this program on tikva means so much to them. Thank everyone for making this museum so special.

Optional: End by singing HaTikva PDF: Museum of Hope