Working the land and working together

Yesterday we split into work groups (avodah), skill-building workshops (kishronot), and fun interest groups (chugim). Working at Camp is a concept that seems foreign to many, but to us it is just another part of the day. By working our land, we learn to take responsibility over spaces we use every day and take ownership over our community. We work in the kitchen to set up and clean up for breakfast, harvest our organic garden and walk the sheep, pick up the camp's trash, clean the bathrooms, clean public spaces, prepare for the Saturday night bonfire, or clear the woods for new trails. These various jobs need to happen at camp and we are happy to do them together. By cleaning the bathroom, a job that typically would happen by a maintenance staff, those campers are able to empower their friends to keep the space clean. Similarly, a camper who works in the garden can identify vegetables and herbs that are used in our meals.

                            

 

The Amelim (post-3rd and 4th graders) separated by gender to bond by the boys and the girls. The Chotrim (post-5th graders) had instructional swim, and even got some time for pool games! The Sayarim (post-6th graders) played various team-building games to get to know each other. The Tzophim (post-7th graders) had discussions about how to use their candy to exemplify trust and respect to each other. The Bonim (post-8th graders) began to prepare for Aliyah Bet (a simulation of the clandestine immigration of Jews to Israel before statehood.  The Bonim test out their leadership and educational skills by running this activity for the camp) by dressing up and discussing traditional Judaism. The Bogrim (post-9th graders) learned about sustainability by touring the garden and even making their own cheese.  Yum!