Mifgash!

This morning at camp (machaneh) was an exciting one, because each age group (shichva) had something special going on. The Chotrim (post-fifth graders) and Sayarim (post-sixth graders) were going on a hike (tiyul) today, so they had an early breakfast. The rest of machaneh did their chores (avodot) as usual, just without the Chotrim and Sayarim. Then, it was revealed to the Tzophim (post-seventh graders) that today was going to be Yom Tzophim (Tzophim Day).

The Bonim and Bogrim from Galil and Moshava

This means that they did not participate in the normal daily activities, rather, their counselors (madrichim) planned different activities for them. The Amelim (post-third and fourth graders) also had their own special day, Yom Amelim. The Bonim (post-eighth graders) and the Bogrim (post-ninth graders) prepared for one of the biggest events of the summer for them... mifgash! Mifgash (meeting) is a yearly tradition between neighboring Habonim Dror machanot. This year, mifgash is at Galil, and the Bonim and Bogrim from Moshava, the Maryland Habonim Dror camp, are staying over for the night.  While the Bonim and Bogrim eagerly awaited their Moshava counterparts, the Amelim and Tzophim were both having their own special programming. The Amelim were in the dining hall (chadar ochel) having an introductory discussion on social inequalities, after playing a few games and eating some candy. The Tzophim were having fun down at the pool, which really complimented the weather (85 degrees!!!) of today.

A tzofeh jumping into the pool

The Bonim talked about gender and the effects that gender has on society. Lastly, the Bogrim began to plan for Bozmon (this will have it's own blog post in the future and will be further explained. For now, it's incredibly important that you keep this a secret from your kids. You'll see why soon!). The Bonim and Bogrim had to finish their activities early, however, in order to wait for the kids from Mosh to get there! Once everybody had calmed down and the rules of machaneh were read, the Bonim of Galil and Mosh went to the pavilion to get to know each other, and the Bogrim did the same in their area (shetach).

The Sayarim before tiyul

Not long after the "ice breakers" began, it was time for lunch! The chadar ochel would have been overflowing with people if the Chotrim and Sayarim weren't gone, because of all of the Moshniks (this is a term for a person from Mosh. A person from Galil would be a Galilnik). Our singing session (shira) after the meal was especially fun today, because we got to see which songs are sung at both Mosh and Galil, and we got to learn new ones from each other. After lunch, everybody hung out during rest time (menucha). The Madatz even made an appearance outside of their shetach, over at the basketball court. When menucha ended, the Bonim and Bogrim went back to getting to know each other, and then they ran a peula. The Tzophim were at the art room (beit omanut) using tie dye (by the way, most of the shirts that they made look amazingly professional).

Tzophot in the pool.

The Amelim watched Wall-E together in the clubhouse (moadon). Afterwards, everybody at machaneh got to choose an elective (chug) for the day. The chugim were different today to accommodate our guests, but still fun. After chugim ends, everyone will go to the flagpole (toren) for shira! Tonight, Galil will teach Mosh some songs that we sing here, and Mosh will teach Galil some of their songs.
Afterwards, we will go to dinner together and sing the songs that we just learned. Tonight's evening activity (tochnit erev) involves the schavot doing their own things,  which will probably involve more in depth ice breakers for the Bonim and Bogrim, and fun, relaxing and bonding activities for the Amelim and Tzophim.

There will be more fun in store tomorrow for Galil and Moshava, but until then, toda raba!