Goodbye Moshava

This morning, it was hot and humid, but even that couldn't chip away at the excitement that everybody was feeling. The Bonim (post-eighth graders) and Bogrim (post-ninth graders) couldn't wait to start their day off with their new friends from Moshava (the Habonim Dror camp in Maryland). The Tzophim (post-seventh graders) and Amelim (post-third and fourth graders) were having special days for themselves again, and the Chotrim (post-fifth graders) and Sayarim (post-sixth graders) were still on their hike (tiyul). We all went down to breakfast together, and we listened to some music on speakers while we ate.

Smiling Amelim before the pool.

Afterwards, we did special chores (avodot) because of the variety of campers (chanichim) that were here today. This basically meant that everybody was assigned to a new avoda, but just for today. When avoda ended, it was time for age group discussions (peulot)! Today, the Amelim went to the art room (beit omanut) and made signs for themselves to hang up in their cabins (tzrifim). The signs said things like "Amelim 2015." The Tzophim had a "foam fight" on the basketball court, where they wore bathing suits and splashed each other with foam and sponges. The Bonim and Bogrim had the same peula planned for them, which began with a game of Habonim Dror Jeopardy. The second part of the peula was speaking about Judaism in Habonim Dror, and that part was continued in the second round of peulot later in the day. The Chotrim and Sayarim got back to camp (machaneh) at this time. I greeted them as they walked up the hill, and very many of them had only good things to say about their tiyul. After peulot ended, sports began. Today, the sports were different also. The Amelim and Tzophim went to the pool together, and everyone else got to choose what sport they wanted to do that day. Free swim was after that, and the Bonim and Bogrim went in their entirety, as well as some other chanichim from other age groups (schavot).

Two Chotrot back from tiyul.

After free swim ended and everybody had a chance to wash off, everyone at machaneh expect for the Bonim and the Bogrim went down to the dining hall (chadar ochel) to eat lunch. The Bonim and Bogrim had lunch separately, right after us because there is not enough room in our chadar ochel for our entire machaneh and two schavot from another one. By the end of lunch, it had started pouring rain outside. Our next activity planned was another round of sports, but this time around was a little more unique. We had activities like rain soccer and basketball, but also extreme art and extreme writing. While there were some kids who were happily playing in the rain, many were relieved that there was an indoor activity at that time and took advantage of it (four chanichim said that they are making me bracelets right now, thank you extreme art). After "sports" finished, everybody separated again to do more peulot. The Bonim and Bogrim continued their conversations from earlier in the day. The Tzophim played around in the beit omanut for a little while, and the Amelim went over to the Mini Mo for games and an extension of their conversation about societal oppression from yesterday. The Chotrim went down to the pool for a little while (by this time it was not raining anymore, just humid), and the Sayarim played at the basketball court.

Bogrot hugging.

As peulot came to an end, it was time for the Moshniks to head back home. The Bonim and Bogrim from both machanot said their goodbyes, and Mosh got onto their buses and crossed the bridge. From that point on, the rest of the day at machaneh was as usual. Everyone had a snack (kibud) and then got together again for their next activity. We will eat dinner together after lowering the flags, and then have some free time (chofesh) before the evening activity (tochnit erev). Tonight, the tochnit erev is watching the World Cup game! Most of the chanichim have not heard the outcome, and those who have are considerate enough to not spoil it. Because we've had such a fun-filled week so far, it will be nice to have an actual normal day tomorrow, and I'm sure that the chanichim will appreciate the return of the daily routine. Check back in tomorrow, laila tov!