Here we are again!

One hundred and seventy campers (chanichim) and their families crossed over the bridge today to start off the sixty-ninth summer of Camp Galil. From the moment that the first few chaninchim arrived, our staff (tzevet) could tell that this is going to be a great summer. This morning, old friends reunited, families rejoiced, and new relationships began to bud.

Sayarim hugging each other. 

Although the weather was not exactly compliant with our opening day festivities early on, it cleared up by mid-day so that the sun began to dry our muddy roads and grass. I'm not sure how long it will stay dry, though, but either way, all of the chanichim don't seem to mind what the weather is like. Today, after the last few parents gradually made their way off of camp grounds, each age group (shichva) quickly began to fall back into the ways of camp (machaneh).  Some brought out their magic cards, some made their way to the basketball court, and others spent time getting to know the cabin (tzrif) in which they will be living for the next few weeks. While each camper (chanich) may have had their own idea about what they wanted to do right after they arrived at machaneh, I'm sure that almost all of them breathed a sigh of relief when it was time for lunch. So, after a few hours of saying "hi" to old and new friends, the chanichim came together with the counselors-in-training (madatzim) and the rest of tzevet to eat the traditional first-day meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. After hundreds of grilled cheeses were consumed, the Bogrim (post-ninth graders) led the whole machaneh in the first cheer of the summer. Everyone laughed and sang for a while afterwards, new chanichim learning the words to all of the old songs from the old chanichim. The singing eventually commenced when our head of camp (rosh) announced that rest time (menucha), was next on the schedule! Menucha was always a fun time for me when I was a chanicha, so I decided to take a look around and see what everyone else was doing with their time.

Some Bogrot sitting on their picnic tables.

First, I passed by the Bogrim area (shetach). I found them, unsurprisingly, hanging out on their hammock and picnic table. A long awaited privilege, having a spot on the hammock is always a big deal for the Bogrim. No other shichva has a designated hammock, so the first few days with it are usually especially exciting for the Bogrim. Next, I went over to the Bonim (post-eighth graders) to see what they were up to. Most of them were in or outside of the girls' tzrif, lounging in chairs that they brought for themselves either talking or playing cards. Shortly after, I went looking for the Tzophim (post-seventh graders). These guys, however, were not easy to find. The Tzophim had no trouble spreading themselves out all around camp. Some could be found on the basketball court, some in the frisbee field, and others in or around their tzrif.

A Bonim boy jumps for joy.

 I had only a little less trouble finding out what the Sayarim (post-six graders) were up to. While the majority of them were hanging out with their counselors (madrichim) in their tzrif, some of them were scattered around the basketball court/ frisbee field. The Chotrim (post-fifth graders) could similarly be found in their tzrifim, laying on their beds reading or catching up with friends. Lastly, I visited the Amelim (post third and fourth graders). All of the girls were hanging out in their tzrif getting to know their madrichim. The boys, however, were all outside of their tzrif, getting a football game going. They asked me to join, so I spent the rest of menucha chasing after a handful of (surprisingly) quick Amelim, who made sure that I never once touched the football. As menucha came to an end, each shichva came together to begin ice breakers, a set of games intended to allow the kids to get to know each other a little better. I walked around machaneh and watched as many games were simultaneously played and all of the chanichim laughed. Right now, the chanichim are doing group discussion-based learning (peulot). Everyone also stopped by the Marp (Short for Mirpa'ah: Health Center), where they met our nurses: Talia, Kiesha and Karen.
Later tonight, we will all come together again for dinner (which by the way, will be chicken nuggets and french fries- a crowd favorite among many, including myself). After dinner, there will be a little free time and then everyone will choose their chore (avodah) and club (chug) for the session. After today, the daily routine that everybody knows and loves will start up again. So, until tomorrow, toda raba (thank you very much)!