Terrific Thursday

Good evening everyone!

Today was another gorgeous day at machaneh (camp)! The sun was out, and we had a delicious breakfast of waffles, oatmeal, and fruit. After breakfast, the chanichimot (campers) headed to their avodah (work group) and helped out around machaneh. Once avodah was finished, it was time for the chanichimot to clean their tzrifim (cabins).

During Pish Alef (the first age group activity of the day), the Amelimot played some water games before heading to instructional swim. The Chotrimot had a mock revolution against the mazkirut (camp directors), which resulted in a water balloon fight before heading to instructional swim, and the Sayarimot played in the creek. The Tzophimot also went down to the creek to do some kvutza (group) bonding activities such as boat racing, while the Bonimot stayed in their shetach (area) and had a conversation about gender. The Bogrimot settled back into machaneh (camp) after returning from their tiyul (hiking trip) before starting to prepare their songs and dance for Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening Shabbat service).

Some Bonimot at the Hyde Park treehouse. 

Today was great for sports (we had kickball, volleyball, basketball, ultimate frisbee), not too hot and absolutely beautiful! Chanichimot made sure to stay hydrated throughout the fun. Lunch was a delicious barbecue in Hyde Park, the first outdoor meal of the year! There were hamburgers and hotdogs, vegetarian versions of each for those who don’t eat meat, along with the usual salad bar.

After lunch, chanichimot had some well-earned rest time before Pish Bet (second age group activity). Pish Bet was full of conversations on youth empowerment, as both the Chotrimot and the Bonimot had peulot (activities) on the topic. The Amelimot ran an impromptu wedding for their counselors, the Sayarimot enjoyed some time in the pool during instructional swim, and the Tzophimot played games on the kikar (field). The Bogrimot continued to plan their Kabbalat Shabbat, which I'll explain more about later. During Zman Meyuchad (specialist time), the Judaism group discussed this week’s Torah portion about Biblical spies and their motivations. The weather was absolutely perfect for Schiya Chofshit (free swim) and chanichimot (campers) headed on over to the pool to splash around and play water games with their friends. During Chugim (clubs/interest groups), Chug Nashim (gender inclusive women’s club) played basketball and football while Chug EngiNERDing experimented with an egg drop.

Some Tzophimot enjoying the creek with their counselor.

I’m not sure what’s going to be for dinner tonight, but I’m sure it will be fantastic! Afterwards, tonight’s tochnit erev (evening activity) is going to be a relaxing movie night so that everyone can unwind after a long week.

Tomorrow is our first Shabbat of machaneh (camp) and the Bogrimot are in charge of this week’s Kabbalat Shabbat (the Friday evening service, which includes singing an English song, a Hebrew song, and performing an Israeli dance). Later that night, the Madatz (CITs) will perform this week’s oneg (a funny skit about the week’s happenings) and lead the machaneh (camp) into rikud (Israeli dancing).

Some Amelimot have fun in the pool.

Have a good night, and see you tomorrow for the first Shabbat of the summer!

-Abby

A Beautiful Day at Machaneh!

Good evening everyone!

We all woke up this morning to a gorgeous sunny day. We raised the flag and learned today’s Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew) word of the day, which was ochel (food). After a breakfast of oatmeal, cereal, fruit, and yogurt, everyone headed out to their day. The Bogrim left this morning for tiyul (camping trip) where they’ll be learning to canoe. They’ll come back tonight to sleep over in a small campsite in the woods, but they’ll officially be back to machaneh (camp) activities tomorrow to tell everyone about their awesome trip!

Two Chotrimot during their peula this morning

During Pish Aleph (Peulat Shichva, age group activity) the rest of machaneh went their separate ways. The Amelimot headed to the gazebo before instructional swim, the Chotrimot headed to the chadar to talk about respecting each other through making pudding bowls for their friends, and the Sayarimot headed to instructional swim before playing some games with each other. The Tzophimot had an egg drop in Hyde Park, and the Bonimot headed to the Refet. The Chotrimot will have instructional swim during Pish Bet, while the Tzophimot plan to go on the Borokov Trail, a hiking path that runs through the woods around machaneh (camp).

The Amelimot on their way to instructional swim this afternoon

After zman sports (sports time), everyone washed up in time for a delicious Aruchat Tzohorayim (lunch) of mac and cheese and broccoli. Many campers and counselors, like Abby, have told me it’s their favorite meal at machaneh! During menucha (free time), I hung out with some of the Amelimot who were writing letters home to their parents. Other chanichimot (campers) were having fun playing frisbee on the kikar (field), reading, or making crafts in the Beit Omanut (arts and crafts building).

During Zman Meyuchad (specialists time), everyone kept working their specialists to learn about something new. For example, the Hebrew/Zionism group meets with Hila, our Shlicha (Israeli Emissary) and today they learned some Hebrew words and talked about the differences between Israeli and American society.

 Tzophimot building contraptions for their egg drop

Then, everyone headed off to swim in the pool or relax in their cabins before snack time and chugim (clubs/special interest groups). My chug, Snow Day, played “ice hockey” in the Moadon while the Hydration group made straps to carry around their water bottles!

Everyone was very excited to learn some new songs in Shira before lowering the flag and heading to dinner of chili with homemade cornbread, veggies, and fresh salad bar. It’s sure to be delicious!

Tonight, everyone is going to split by shichva (age group) for Tochnit Erev (evening activity). The Chotrimot are going to make s’mores and the Amelimot and Bogrimot are going to be matched with their AmBo buddies! AmBo buddies are pairings between the oldest and the youngest campers at machaneh, and they often sit with each other at mealtimes, shira (singing time), or hang out during free times.

Before I forget, for last night’s activity, the chanichimot all headed to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) in the Moadon (Club House) where they completed a series of fun tasks like musical chairs to help a madrichol (counselor) earn his “driver’s license” before having a celebratory party.

See you tomorrow!

-Carli

Hello from Ottsville

Hello from Ottsville!

Today at machaneh (camp), we had a much needed rain, which helped cool everyone down after a particularly hot few days. For me, the day started off bright and early with some chanichimot (campers) coming to the Beit Omanut (Arts and Crafts building) before kima (wake up) was called. At 8:30, everyone gathered at the toren (flagpole) to raise the flags before heading to a wonderful breakfast of bagels, cereal, fruit, and yogurt. After breakfast, the chanichimot headed to their avodot (work groups), and spent some time working together to make machaneh (camp) a nicer space for everyone.

Some chanichimot get hydrated after running.

During Pish Aleph (peula shichva or age group activity) this morning, the Amelimot played a bunch of games in the Moadon in order to get more comfortable with one another, the Chotrimot went to the Beit Omanut (arts and crafts building) to make animal masks, and the Sayarimot went to the refet (barn) to build forts and to talk about kupa (which is the sharing/communal concept that includes books, games and candy).

By sports time the rain had stopped, so everyone went to their sport as normal. Everyone made sure to take water breaks in order to stay hydrated. I walked around during sports in order to take pictures, and it looked like everyone was having a blast. I was fortunate enough to be walking by the soccer field just as a younger chanichol (camper) scored a goal!

Some Tzophim with their madrichol. 

Today for lunch we had one of my all time favorite meals of pierogies and asparagus! As usual, there was also a salad bar for anyone who wanted. After we ate, everyone stood up on tables and sang camp songs. After some well-earned menucha (rest time), the chanichimot (campers) split back up into schavot (age groups) for Pish Bet (age group activities). The Sayarimot continued their conversation from this morning about kupa. The Chotrimot had a team-building scavenger hunt around machaneh that emphasized the importance of working as a group. The Bogrimot did an activity around land acknowledgement (and the history of machane (camp)) and some low-ropes team-building activities. The Bogrimot actually have a very special day planned for tomorrow!

Some Sayarimot show off their mattress fort.

After Pish Bet, it was time for Zman Meyuchad (specialist time). The gan (garden) group worked on making signs for the different herbs and vegetables that are currently growing there, including mint, lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more! After Zman Meyuchad, it was time for Schiya Chofshit (free swim)! The sun came out and chanichimot flocked to the pool to splash around in the water. Then the entire machaneh (camp) split up into Chugim (clubs and interest groups) like Snow Day, Doc(umentary) and Talk, among others. After Chugim, it was time for Shira (singing time), where the entire camp finished learning the songs we sing for the flag raisings. I asked tzevet mitbach (the kitchen staff) what we’re going to be having for dinner, and they told me that tonight we’re having vegetable stir fry! I am on the va’ad (committee) to plan tonight’s tochnit erev (evening activity), so I’m really excited to get to run it for the chanichimot! The theme is a surprise, but it will be in a carnival structure that will end in a dance party!

See you tomorrow!

-Abby

Meet the 2016 Tzevet

After a long two weeks of prepping for all of our chanichimot (campers) to arrive, the Galil 2016 tzevet (staff) is ready and eager for Opening Day! We have all been working hard to clean up the campsite and plan fun activities for the summer. Now, it’s time for you to meet the madrichimot (counselors) for your camper!

Amelimot (going into 4th and 5th grades)

Left to Right: Ben H., Brianna, Miranda, Mitch

Chotrimot (going into 6th grade) 

(left to right: Rafi, Natalie, Steven, Arielle T. Not pictured: Nina)

Sayarimot (going into 7th grade) 

(left to right: Eliza, Dan M., Eve, Mike)

Tzophimot (going into 8th grade)

(left to right: Matt, Hannah, Amit, Jenna A., Adam)

Bonimot (going into 9th grade) 

(left to right: Berman, Gabi, Taylor, Benj)

Bogrimot (going into 10th grade) 

(left to right: Tom, Arielle S., Shir, Erica, Guy)

Specialists

Gan (Garden)- Colan

Guerilla Rabbi (Judiasm Specialist)- Dan W. 

Lifeguard- Tavi

Ropes/Tiyul (camping trip)- top to bottom: Joel, Davíd

Rosh Chadar (head of the dining hall)- Ari

Chatzran (groundskeeper’s assistant)- Alex 

Communications/Beit Omanut (arts and crafts)- Abby, Carli

Tzevet Mitbach (Kitchen Staff)

(left to right: Ilana, Jenna S.G., Mira, Sophie, Dori; front: Toviah)

Madatz (CIT) Madrichimot 

(left to right: Segev, Naomi, Vallie)

                                                                  Mazkirut (Directors)

Cooper Boyar- Chinuch (Educational Director)

Lia Benyishay- Rosh Galil (Head of Camp)

Hila Huber- Shlicha (Israeli Emissary)

Sarah Kravinsky- Melavah (Camper Well-being)

Jess Glassman- Techni (Technical Director)