Shabbat Shalom from Camp (machaneh) Galil! We woke up here on this special day at machaneh excited for the last Shabbat of first session! To start off, everybody always looks forward to muffin day, so breakfast was full of energy. Afterwards, we had extended chore time (avoda) in order to beautify machaneh for Shabbat.
After that, we had an extended period of cabin cleaning time (nikayon tzrif). Last week, the Sayarot (post-sixth graders) won the golden broom because they cleaned their tzrif the best. Next, we had Madatz peula (the age group discussion that is run by the counselors-in-training). This week, the Amelim (post-third and fourth graders) went down to the pool with their Madatzim. They talked about how their summer has gone so far and some of their favorite memories together. The Chotrim (post-fifth graders) went down to the creek to create warm and fuzzies. Warm and fuzzies are booklets created for each person that they pass around to be signed by everyone else, sort of like a camp yearbook. The Sayarim played games and then talked about the Ken, which are year-round Habonim events that are planned for kids. Some of them include Spring Seminar, Fall Seminar, the Chanukah Sleepover, and the Chocolate Seder. 
They learned that there are Ken Events for New York and New Jersey kids too, as well as many others, so there are so many opportunities to become involved in Habonim during the year. The Tzophim (post-seventh graders) went down to the dining hall (chadar ochel) for a special surprise from their Madatzim. In their free time, the Madatzim for the Tzophim created a photo montage of all the photos that I took of them this summer. It ended up being a ten minute video that went through their whole summer together, which was very endearing. The kids loved it, and afterwards they played games together. The Bonim (post-eighth graders) had a more serious conversation. They spoke about their dynamics with each other, and how they can grow together and be more respectful and trustworthy. The Bogrim (post-ninth graders) had a similar conversation, although it was planned by a handful of them instead of by their counselors (madrichim).
After Madatz peula, Shabbat singing (shira) began! Today, the Sayarim got to head to lunch first because they were singing the loudest (and probably also because they had to finish practicing for the play (oneg) that they are putting on tonight). There were only high spirits at lunch because it was pizza day. Everybody hung out in Hyde Park for a while until it was time to begin our machaneh-wide feedback session. As everyone who had something to say was giving feedback, the Bogrim and Madatzim handed out ice cream as a snack (kibud).
After that, we had rest time (menucha). During this time, we also had the sport of the week (which was soccer), as well as free swim. There was also an option to play on a slip-n-slide today, which was very exciting. Towards the end of menucha, all of the campers (chanichim) got dressed up for Shabbat. Right now, everyone is about to leave to join their mishpacha (family group). They are speaking about their week and reading a section of the Torah. Afterwards, all of machaneh will come together to lower the flags and sing to welcome Shabbat. Then, we will eat our Shabbas dinner together before doing more shira and then watching the oneg! Our night will finish off with some Israeli dancing (rikud) in the clubhouse (moadon). Tomorrow, we will not have a blog post because of Shabbat, so I will be back on Sunday (which will also be my last blog post of the summer). Until then, Shabbat shalom!
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