Yom Meyuchedet

Today is a really special day here at machaneh (camp), more special than the rest. It started out like any other day, with hitkansut boker (morning flag raising) followed by ivrit shimushit (hebrew word of the day) and then aruchat boker (breakfast). The hebrew word of the day was "even" (pronounced like the name Evan) which means "rock" in Hebrew. The chanichim (kids) are going through the morning thinking that everything is normal today, and the way it should be.

 After a little avoda (chores) and some nikayon (cleaning) the chanichim sat down for peula shichva (activity with age group), like they would any other day. The Bogrim (post 9th graders) finished up their time on the high ropes course by completing the Giant's Ladder. Aliya Bet is a night run by the Bonim (post 8th graders) where they wake up all the younger shcavot (age groups) and take them on a journey through the woods that is supposed to simulate Jews escaping to Palestine. During pish alef (peula shichva), the Bonim were beginning to plan the night and decide what they wanted to accomplish and how they were going to do it. The Tzofim (post 7th graders) were in the beit omanut making arts and crafts and the Sayarim (post 6th graders) were discussing how to feel more at home at machaneh. The Amelim (post 4th graders) were discussing kupa and what it means to collectively share things they own. After pish the day continued as it usually does with sports, free swim and then some shower time before aruchat tzohorayim (lunch).

The day took a huge turn right after lunch. Much of our tzevet (staff) spent the last few days planning a "special half day" with a theme and a bunch of fun activities that the chanichim aren't expecting. The theme this session is "Mission to Mars" and the whole day has activities related to outer space and the universe. The break happened right after lunch when a video played explaining how machaneh was "boring" and people were tired of it and wanted to move to Mars. All the chanichim started to bang on the tables and clap and cheer as they got excited about the rest of the day that was planned for them.

The first activity planned was a round-robin of sorts where there were a bunch of cool stations for the chanichim to participate in; activities here included "hungry hungry hippos" as the kids had bungie cords wrapped around them and tried to grab a bunch of balloons in the middle of the floor as madrichim (counselors) held them back. Another station included an obstacle course built in the middle of our soccer field, and there was also kibud (snack) where the chanichim ate "cups of dirt" (pudding and crushed oreos with a gummy worm). Lastly, a third station was titled "corn dog wrestling", the chanichim were wrapped up in mattresses and then ran into each other while unable to use their arms.

A Sayar and I corn dog wrestling

Following the round-robin there was an alien tie-dye war; all of the kids wore white shirts, dunked sponges in tie-dye, and ran after tzevet members dressed as aliens. There was a tzevet member playing music, and a bunch of other staff running around and messing around with the chanichim. It was a pretty fun game of catch the alien. Following all of the running around, chanichim prepared to leave for their new lives on Mars by creating a time capsule. This included writing letters home to their parents explaining how Earth was boring and they were ready for a new life on another planet, and recording a goodbye video talking about their favorite parts of Earth and the things they hope continue in this new world. The time capsule is set to be opened on August 2nd, 2264.

Once all goodbyes were said and the chanichim were ready for take off, there was a speech given by two of our most noble leaders and the rocket ship blasted off into the darkness (a trash bag tunnel from the refet (barn) to the chadar ochel (dining hall). Aruchat erev was served on board the space ship, where we ate challah french toast. After the meal there was a little bit of chofesh (free time) before we started...SPACE OLYMPICS. The chanichim were split into groups and created a flag and cheer for their new "nations" that were being created on Mars. The opening ceremony came to a close and competition commenced. Today has been a very special first day on Mars and I'm looking forward to the rest of the time we spend here.

Until tomorrow, laila tov.

-Mike