Even Thunderstorms Cannot Stop Us!

The chanichim (kids) woke up today to music from some of their favorite shows, such as Spongebob Squarepants. Its a pretty gray morning, but that doesn't stop us from having fun.  Ivrit Shimushit (hebrew word of the day) this morning was a funny skit teaching the chanichim that the hebrew word "lama" means "why" in English. Aruchat Boker (breakfast) was right on time, featuring oatmeal with brown sugar, fruit, yogurt and granola, and raisins. After some avoda (chores) and a little bit of nikyon tzrif (cabin cleaning) the chanichim were ready for their first peula (activity) of the day.

A madrich and chanich enjoying aruchat boker

The Bogrim (post 9th graders) are lucky enough to be one of the first kvutzot (groups) to take on the high ropes course. High ropes at machaneh (camp) is something the older shcavot (age groups) look forward to for a very long time (don't worry, the chanichim are harnessed in). There are three different challenges that the kids may take on, which include: The Elements - a series of sloped logs followed by a tightrope-like challenge, The Giant's Ladder - a huge ladder with about five feet of space between each rung, and The Zip Line - a chanichim favorite that goes from one side of the ropes course to the other. High ropes is an all day activity with breaks for lunch and laundry (laundry is done on Thursdays).

Today the Bonim (post 8th graders) are discussing the Ethiopian Aliyah which occurred in the 1980's during Operation Solomon. The Tzophim (post 7th graders) discussed kvutza and what it means to live in a collective space. They also touched on the impact they can have on each others' summers by creating memories that will last a life time. When I passed the pool I saw the Sayarim (post 6th graders) having their first instructional swim of the summer and it looked like a blast. The Chotrim (post 5th graders) were having a great discussion on what to do with their kupa (communal fund). In the case of the chanichim, kupa is mostly referring to the candy that they share with each other. The Amelim (post 4th graders) talked about taking ownership over the space they live in by creating decorations for their tzrifim (cabins) in the beit omanut (arts room).

After pish (activity with your age group), it was time for sports. I got into a tzevet (staff) versus chanichim game of basketball and the kids put up a good fight! There was also a bunch of chanichim swimming in the pool because it is super humid today. Others got into a huge game of frisbee; ultimate frisbee is taking over machaneh this summer.

The Chotrim having their kupa peula

Aruchat Tzohorayim (lunch) came quickly and the kids were hungry and ready for a good meal. Galil's version of Chipotle (kosher version) arrives for a little bit as the kids create their own combinations of beans, veggies, cheese, sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

The Madatzim (CITs) have been on their own schedule all day due to mifgash (meeting). The day started with peulot (activities) talking about how machaneh is a movement space and what we do here that creates that environment. Also, they touched on which structures at machaneh are more movement spaces or machaneh spaces. Next they had chugim (electives) discussing different social justice movements such as feminism and colonialism. They also had another peula run for them where they talked about Workshop (the gap year program after high school). There are different representatives here from the main office in New York to speak to the madatzim and answer any questions they might have. Finally they are going to have a discussion tonight on their national kvutza as a collective and how they can make decisions together and influence the direction the movement takes as a whole.

A chanicha on The Elements at high ropes

Due to a thunderstorm , the schedule for the rest of the day was a little fuzzy. Chugim was moved inside along with sadnaot (workshops). Most activities have no issues moving their location to indoor spaces to keep the chanichim nice and dry. For peula shichva bet (second group activity) many of the shcavot are continuing conversations they started this morning such as the kupa peula and many are starting important conversations about kvutza, and the rules of machaneh.After peulot the chanichim will have a little snack, apples or oranges, before they go to sadnaot. The day will finish out with shira (singing) and hitkansut erev (evening flag lowering). The kids will run to the chadar ochel (dining hall) for aruchat erev (dinner) and enjoy a nice meal before our tochnit erev (evening activity) which tonight is l'fi shichva (activity with your age group). The different tzvatim (staff) will plan kef (fun) games or watch a movie or do some type of kvutza building adventure. Today was another enchanting day at machaneh Galil.

Tomorrow is the first Shabbas of the new session and everyone is expecting an amazing day.
Until tomorrow, erev tov (have a good evening).

-Mike