Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

Today, during sadnaot (workshops), the Chotrim talked about waste and garbage disposal. They sorted through a trashcan to see what was and wasn't a necessity, and what could have been recycled. The Chotrim shared ideas to make machaneh life more environmentally conscience. They then took the trash and made it into art, as a way of producing something beautiful with "trash" that would otherwise go into a landfill.

We are painting a mural this summer! The Bonim were the first group to work on it. They traced the design to be hung next to the water tower. The mural (which will be revealed at a later time) was inspired by the Peter, Paul, and Mary song "If I had a Hammer." 

During chugim (clubs), yoga did quite an intensive session! They worked on many different poses and tried to hold them in place for as long as they could. Yoga is harder than it seems!

Chanichim holding a tree pose

In the chadar ochel, Chug Frisbee ate latkes out of the frisbees! (Don't worry, they cleaned the discs first.) Their objective for the summer is to see how many frisbee-like things they can explore, and they seem to be off to a great start!

Chanichim eating latkes off (clean) frisbees  

Jumping with Joy

This morning the chanichim woke up in a winter wonderland. Instead of their madrichim, Elsa and Anna from Disney's Frozen had appeared. The chanichim were led to believe that today was Revo, and the Madatz had taken over for the day. To their surprise it was a fake Revo and was really kupa trip (field trip)!

Anna and Elsa

We all got onto the buses and were off to first session's kupa trip. The buses stopped at Pump It Up, an inflatable playground 25 minutes from Galil. While there we climbed through obstacle courses, and jumped in moon-bounces. 

The blue room at pump it up

After Pump It Up the trip continued to a nearby bowling alley where we took up more than 30 lanes. Our bowling ability was put to the test when we heard that only Amelim could use bumpers in their lanes. 

Bonim at bowling

Check back tomorrow to see what's next in Week 2 of camp!

Hanging Out in Hyde Park

Yesterday ended with a barbecue dinner in Hyde Park and then, we were given a "machaneh wide detention!" Detention consisted of chanichim running through an obstacle course on the kikar (open field). Luckily, we made it through and we were able to "go home" to relax with candy, pretzels, and music to dance to! 

Hanging out during the barbecue

Running through the obstacle course

The Amelim came back from tiyul this morning! While away, they went on two short hikes, swam in the creek, learned how to pitch their own tents, and gathered kindling for a fire. We're so glad they had so much fun!

Amelim before their first hike

This afternoon, we held our first Asefa Klalit (general meeting) of the summer, in Hyde Park. Asefa Klalit is a weekly forum where groups of chanichim make suggestions to improve machaneh. 

The Madatzim running Hyde Park

Tonight, the Bonim are hosting our first shabbat at machaneh. They will be singing songs in both English and Hebrew, as well as performing an Israeli dance for everyone. We can't wait to see their creativity!

New Ages and Stages

This morning the Bogrim began talking about how to give constructive feedback to each other. They are learning about taking on higher leadership positions and how to work together with their new responsibilities. These new responsibilities include Revo (a day when the Bogrim help the Madatz run programming), Bo-Coup (a themed half-day that is planned by the Bogrim), Bo-zman (an evening where the Bogrim plan the activities), and generally being an enthusiastic example for everyone else at machaneh. This is especially important since they now are the oldest chanichim and will need to plan activities for the younger shkavot throughout the summer.

Bogrim in their shetach (cabin area)

During lunch, we watched the US World Cup game against Germany in the chadar ochel (dining hall)! As we cleared our plates, we watched in anticipation. We sang and cheered as the US advanced to the next round of the World Cup. 

Soccer during sports hour

The radio chug votes on a new topic to cover every week. This week's theme is "new and old." They have been using this concept to interview people at Galil of all ages and stages about their experiences as new chanichim and as Galil veterans. 

Ross explaining how to use the equipment

During sports, frisbee took a pause from their usual game of Ultimate and worked on technique. They broke up into pairs and practiced the proper hand positioning for passing and catching. The Bogrim were especially helpful, pairing up with younger chanichim who had less experience playing ultimate frisbee. 

Bogrim show younger chanichim how to throw a frisbee

This afternoon, the Amelim left for tiyul. They hiked the Borochov trail, a path that goes through the woods around machaneh. They ventured to a camping ground we call the Shire, to make s'mores and sleep in tents! We will see them tomorrow with plenty of pictures and stories to share!

The Bogrim are Back!

Today the Bogrim returned from tiyul. They looked hot, sweaty, and happy as ever. They spent two days at Pine Grove Furnace State Park where they hiked, kayaked, and camped in tents.

This afternoon the Chotrim each painted tiles. Together the tiles spell out Chotrim, but each tile is unique to its artist and his/her own form of expression. The goal of this puela was to show each chanich how important he/she is as an individual within a larger collective.

The Chotrim decorating tiles

The Sayarim talked about collective responsibility. They also had a discussion about how they are going to distribute their kupa (communal candy). All the food and candy that chanichim bring to camp is collected and shared so the chanichim learn to value community from a young age.

The Amelim were spotted in the Gan planting various herb seeds. Their theme for the summer is based on a show called "Avatar: the Last Airbender." The show has characters, each of whom represents either earth, fire, water, or wind. The Amelim are making it their mission to master the elements, and decided to take on earth today. They will be able to watch the growth of the seeds they planted and experience what it is like to harvest their own product.

Kari (garden specialist) working with the Amelim

Chug (club) yoga/meditation did a guided imagery meditation today. They laid out in the shade as Noa described a peaceful place for them to envision themselves. In contrast, the workout chug worked hard doing crunches and laps around machaneh to build up their endurance levels. 

Noa reciting guided meditation

Once a week, we have a surprise movie night. We can't wait to see what movie we'll be screening tonight!

Galil's Crazy Underwater Adventure

Last night the pipes were left on and the ocean came flooding into Galil! When the ocean came in it brought with it various sea creatures for whom the chanichim performed tasks in exchange for information. These tasks included making up songs, running races and forming human pyramids. With the help of the chanichim we were able to push the ocean back and restore machaneh. Afterwards we all went to the pool to celebrate this momentous accomplishment.  

The Bogrim with their Am-Bo-buddies holding their breath underwater

Dina and Brooke as sea creatures

In the morning, the Bonim did a peula (group activity) where they watched clips from the movie "Mean Girls" and talked about dynamics around cliques and bullying. They were broken into small discussion groups which made it easier for them to express how they really felt about these issues.

The Bonim during their peula

During Pish Bet (the second group activity of the day) the Tzophim did an activity that focused on the importance of communication between one another. First they had to try and make cocoa balls (cocoa powder, sugar, graham crackers, milk) without speaking. Then they had to make a poster which they all talked about beforehand. The Tzophim then compared the two experiences and discussed the importance of communication when trying to accomplish tasks.

The Tzophim before making coco balls

The Chotrim were all about building trust today. They were all blindfolded, and connected to each other by holding hands while relying on the person in front of them to guide them. In this way, they circled the camp completely dependent on one another. 

The Chotrim being led by their madrichim

The Sayarim before instructional swim

The Bogrim left for tiyul (overnight hiking/camping trip) today and tomorrow they will be back with loads of stories about their trip including kayaking lessons! 

Climbing, Swimming and Empowering

Today was the perfect temperature at 82 degrees, just in time for the younger chanichims' (Sayarim, Chotrim, and Amelim) first instructional swim lesson. During this time they went over pool rules, and discussed what underwater animal they would want to be. Afterwards they played sharks and minnows (pool tag) until it was time for sports. They will be having lessons almost every day as a way of helping them swim confidently on their own. 

Chanichim gathered for Ivrit Shimushit (Hebrew learning skit)

The Madatz were on the high ropes course for the majority of the day. Our high ropes course is only for Tzophim and older, and includes a zip-line, catwalk, and giants' ladder. There is also a less intense low ropes course for younger chanichim. The ropes course works with a system of pulleys supporting the climber with trained specialists spotting from the ground, and a series of safety calls and responses.  

Madatz on the giants' ladder

This week's educational theme is youth empowerment. Today the Sayarim used that concept to decide how they want to be portrayed at machaneh this summer. They began by making up original cheers for their kvutzah, and then collectively made a Sayarim flag. 

 Sayarim designing their shikvah's flag

Sayarim's flag

Today our youngest shikvah, Amelim, and oldest shikvah, Bogrim, were paired together for our annual tradition of Am-Bo-buddies. The buddy in Bogrim has usually been at Galil before and is able to be another source of support for their younger buddy who might not be used to overnight camp yet. Over the course of their time together this summer they will be doing joint activities like arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and the Bogrim will be putting them to bed every Friday night.

 Am-Bo-buddies Elad and Kai  

Tomorrow the Bogrim will be going on tiyul (camping), stay tuned for more information!

Hurray for Opening Day

Galil is now open for another summer of wild adventures, crazy fun, and kibbutz style living! Tzevet (the staff) woke up at 7:30 this morning to move cars, tables, beds, and make sure everything was ready for opening day to run smoothly. Around 9:30 chanechim (campers) started arriving with heavy suitcases and enthusiastic smiles. 

The Rubin-Wish Family moving their kids up

A sense of familiarity swept over the camp as more families drove up Red Hill Road. Many families also brought some fun additions including a play castle for the Bogrim (post 9th graders). We would like to thank all of the families who brought donations today, we can't wait to put them to use.

After lunch all of the shkavot (age groups) played ice-breaker games to get to know their shikvah (age group) better. Even for the shkavot with no new campers, ice-breakers are a light-hearted way to have fun.

Assistant Director Jenn Reiss (left) and Camp Director Sara Zebovitz (right) 

 Amelot trying to spray the photographer with water

Bogrim gathered for ice breakers

Today will end with tzevet performing a variety of skits for the chanechim to determine what chug (club) they want to join for first session. The skits are taken rather seriously because chuggim are often some of the chanechim's favorite part of the day. In past years, chuggim have ranged from teaching life skills, arts and crafts, carving soap stones (older chanechim only), to exploring Doctor Who themes, and many more.

Don't forget to check CampInTouch for daily photos!

Shabbat is Here and Opening Day is Near

The summer preparations are wrapping up and everyone is excited for the first Shabbat at camp. This Shabbat is a special tradition when Camp Galil board members pass the leadership torch to this year’s tzevet. Many of our board members are Galil alumni and together we shared Shabbat dinner and talked about our different experiences in past summers at camp. Some of the camp committee members were able to share camp stories from over forty years ago. 

 (Madatz, Tzevet and Camp Committee Members sit down for Shabbat) 

Yesterday the Madatzim (counselors in training) arrived just in time for Shabbat. This summer the Madatzim will be participating in extensive leadership and community building activities which will help to prepare them for being a member of tzevet next year. Their duties will include working alongside the madrichim (counselors) and their chanichim (campers) building relationships, leadership and experience.

Back: Jenna, Ariel, Matt, Abby, Dan M, Taylor, Brooke, Alex, Eve, Harry, Mike, Dori, Mitch, Guy  

Front: Erica, Danni, Gil, Ari, Blake

(Missing Nina, Ilana, Sarah)

Galil's two favorite sheep, Builder and Dreamer, also made their first appearances of the summer. They probably would have been confused about why the campers aren't here yet, but they were too busy exploring their new playpen. 

Now that all of the Tzevet and the Madatzim are here, we can’t wait for all the campers to arrive and begin yet another unforgettable experience! 

Meet the Tzevet!

It’s been two weeks of preparation and now the Tzevet (staff) is excited and ready to start Camp Galil 2014! For the past two weeks we have been working hard cleaning, building, fixing and planning an amazing summer. With camp starting this Sunday, it's time to meet the people behind the curtain; here is your tzevet Galil 2014!

Workshop 59
Left to right: Sara Z, Dan B, Shuli

Workshop 60
Back: Howie
Middle: Jordan, Shula, Pele, Shaun, Collin
Front: Kari, Diana, Rachael B, Jill

Workshop 61
Nadav

Workshop 62
Left to right: Joel, Lia, Doron, David, Anya, Rachel Y, Brendan, Sophia, Leora, Rachael S, Abbey, Dina, Dan W, Zak, Alaysha

Workshop 63
Back: Toviah, Heather, Rebecca, Aliyah, Noami, Sarah K
Front: Dan S, Eva, Segev, Ari W, Teddy

Workshop 64
Back: Sophie, Marc, Danny C, Gabi, Ari W, Eli K, Natalie, Ashira, Ali, Cliel
Front: Dan Z, Ross
(Missing Eli S, Ben L, Tom)

Shlichim (Israeli Staff)
Left to right: Nadav, Talia, Shira, Or, Noa

We can't wait to see all of our first session campers on Sunday!