Galil at Camelbeach!

A group of Sayarim at Camelbeach

Greetings from the waterslide! Today was a very special day for camp (machaneh), because it was Kupa trip! Kupa trip is a field trip that we have twice every summer, the cost of which is included in the cost of camp. So, this morning, we woke up half an hour early (at 7:30 instead of 8:00) to get our day started. When we woke up, none of the campers (chanichim) knew that we were going on a field trip today.
We raised the flags, sang our songs, and ate breakfast as usual. Then, at the end of the meal, the chanichim were told that we would be going on a tikkun olam (preparing the world) trip. In order to prepare for that, the kids were told to put on bathing suits under their clothes and bring sunscreen, towels and water, because we were going to be cleaning mikvas (ritual Jewish baths)! The kids also got to wear the Galil builders and dreamers t-shirts that they received last night. Then, we all headed down to the parking lots to get on busses, but not before all of the age groups (schavot) got together for pictures. The bus ride took about an hour and a half, and by the time that we arrived at the park, all of the chanichim had seen signs for it and were getting excited. As soon as we got there, each shichva was split up into six or seven groups and assigned a staff (tzevet) member as a leader. Then, the fun began! I was with a group of Sayarim (post-sixth graders) for the first half of the trip. I came with them on a few waterslides, and then we went on the lazy river all together (twice, might I add). Time crept up fast on us, and soon it was our turn to go and get lunch. For lunch, we had a sandwich bar, where you can pick and choose your toppings.

The Amelim after arriving at the park

 There were also chips to eat on the side. By the time that my group had finished eating lunch, it was time for a new tzevet group leader to be assigned with them. For the rest of the day, I walked around the park and the picnic area, taking pictures of our chanichim and going on waterslides with them! Some of the other attractions at the park, for those of you who have never been there before, include a wave pool and a normal pool, for those kids who are not comfortable on water slides. I talked to many kids who were slightly put out that they couldn't go on one cool waterslide in particular, because it was closed down for the day because a Disney Channel star was visiting and requested for it to be made private (I know what you are thinking- HOW random, right? And of all the days...). Either way, though, everybody who I spoke to had so much fun and enjoyed the rest of the park. We stayed there for many more hours, leaving at about 6:00. By the time that we left, everyone was exhausted and ready to sit down or nap during the bus ride home.
We got back here to machaneh at around 7:20. Dinner was Mexican themed, with rice, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and tortilla chips.
Would you believe that everyone is just leaving dinner now?! Their evening activity (tochnit erev) for tonight will simply be going to their cabin (tzrif) and then going to bed, partially because of how long the day was and partially because it just started to thunder and lightning outside. Tomorrow, we will all wake up at 8:00 and preform our daily routines, however, the older schavot have their own special surprise in store. To conclude, I apologize for the lateness of this post (I downloaded the blogger app onto my phone so I could write on the bus- I had absolutely no service, so all hope was lost quickly). Tomorrow, things will be back up to my standards, so you all will have nothing to worry about. Anyway, check back in to see the surprise in store for the older kids and to hear about all of the other fun things that go on at machaneh!