Sheep, Wool, and More Rain Fun

Today everyone woke up to pouring rain, but regular programming and fun continued despite the wet weather. Sports was even more exciting today, as campers (chanichim) chose from a set of special sports: dodgeball, Israeli dance (rikud) or soccer in the mud. The Bonim (post-8th graders) learned about Jews all around the world, including Haredim, Ethiopian Jews, and Mizrahi Jews. The Amelim (post-3rd and 4th graders) returned from their hiking and camping trip (tiyul) today.  Last night they cooked their own chili dinner, helped tend to the fire, and told stories before sleeping in tents in the Pavilion (due to the rain and flash flood warnings we had to change the original plans of going rafting down the Delaware River!).

Amelim on their camping trip (tiyul)

For the past three summers Galil has partnered with the wonderful shepherdess, Judi, from Ewe Can Do It, a local sheep farm in Newtown, PA. This year Judi is letting us spend the summer with two of her baby lambs:  Builder and Dreamer.

Mikey, Rachael, Talia, Builder and Dreamer

Our Environmental Educator, Rachael, and chanichim in the garden (gan) skill group and morning work group help tend to the sheep. Whenever there is free time, there are always chanichim keeping the sheep company, feeding them oats and hay, or taking them for walks to graze. Today, Judi spent the day at Galil.  While here, she taught the chanichim all about the process of shearing sheep, then how to spin wool yarn with drop spindles. The chanichim loved spending time with such an experienced farmer and wool spinner and making their own yarn for crocheting or knitting.