End of Camp

Kids today are no stranger to genies. They’ve seen Aladdin and understand the concept of wishes, but probably never thought that they would ever have their own personal servant. That will soon change; Tonight, Galil’s kids will have their wishes granted! 

But before we get to the magic, let’s start at the beginning. Today is, regrettably, our final normal day at macheneh (camp). Tomorrow will be packing and wrapping up our feelings about the summer, and tomorrow we’ll culminate this session with a huge party. Then on Tuesday, our wonderful chanichim (campers) must leave. In fact, our lovely Nitzanimot had to leave already. So today is our last chance for normalcy and we’re making the most of it!

We woke up at eight in the morning, and gathered at the torren (flagpole) by 8:30. There, we sang “Od Lo Gamarnu” as we raised the Israeli flag and we sang “Power and Glory” as we raised the American flag. After hitcansut (flag raising), we headed to breakfast. Today, the mitbach (kitchen staff) served up French toast and eggs. After breakfast, we headed to Avodah (jobs) where we worked on sweeping, washing dishes, and cleaning the bathrooms. The chanichimot (campers) worked very hard today, because we know that we only have a few days to completely clean macheneh before we leave.

Today in Chugim (clubs), we got to do some final activities with our kids. In Creative Writing, the kids were asked to define “Galil magic”. That’s a term that we use a lot, and the answer to the question is pretty open-ended. The magic of camp means different things to each person. To me, camp magic means the opportunity to be whimsical here, in a place that celebrates silliness and creativity. To others, it can mean feeling included in traditions, unconditional support, or a Jewish community. One of the chanichimot in Creative Writing Chug (club) wrote the piece below, and agreed to be published here. Here’s what Maia wrote about “Galil Magic”:

“Here at Galil, there’s a long-running joke about needing a giant dome so that we can control the weather surrounding the camp. However, I feel as though we already have a dome- a psychological one, perhaps, but a dome nonetheless. Let me explain.

At Galil, I feel separated from the outside world. It’s almost like summer at Galil isn’t real life, although it undoubtedly is. Without the constant flow of alarming national news, life slows down, and the intensity drops several notches.

Earlier in the session, we went to Dorney Park. The bus ride out of Galil and through the little towns of PA was, on one hand, normal, but on the other hand, was very strange. I was seeing people going about their daily lives! At Galil, we forget that regular life is continuing outside our gate. It feels like it’s just us. Some microscopic part of my brain believes that if I were to see Galil from a birds-eye view, I would not see anything except ongoing empty fields. That part of me doesn’t believe there’s anything going on outside of Galil’s mighty dome.”

-Maia Dimant, Bo-Bo

A lot of us feel similarly. It can seem like we’re encased in a safe bubble in utopia, and it can be shocking to leave and rejoin a less-perfect society when the summer ends. To help the transition, we planned an extra special Tochnit Erev (evening activity) for tonight.

Earlier in the summer, we asked kids to write down three wishes. Requests ranged from “eat ice cream cake” to “getting to ride on an airplane”. On Wish Night tonight, each tzevet (staff) member picked a kid or two and granted one of is/her/their wishes. Sometimes the tzevet (staff) takes the wishes seriously, and actually gives the kid exactly what they ask for. One girl asked for a 10-layer cake, and some of the madatz actually made one for her.

Usually though, we grant wishes in a funnier way. A boy who asked for “Key Lime pie” was awarded with a bunch of house keys and slices of a lime. Kids who asked to “finish the movie Napoleon Dynamite” were shown the last 5 seconds of the film. We painted a rock to look like a toad and gave it or a boy who requested a pet. The girls who requested a huge stuffed animal got a hug from a madricha (counselor) wearing a bear suit. A kid who requested cornbread was given corn kernels on a hamburger bun.

The night ended in the granting of a very special wish: the Bogrim wished for an ice cream party, and they actually were given one! The Madatz gave out crushed Oreos, cones, sprinkles, and other ice cream accessories, and they all headed toward the refet (barn) for their party.

 Unfortunately, all parties have to end. Tomorrow we pack our bags, even though it feels like we just got here. Pretty soon your kids will be in your cars, telling you stories about the things they did at camp. Just listen to them talk because this place is special- This community empowers young people. It sounds cheesy, but everyone here sincerely cares about each other and feels responsibility in helping our little camp stay whole. It’s a weird feeling to know that, and it makes me incredibly proud to be here. For madrichim, this is way more than a job.

Coming back to 146 Red Hill Road is a commitment to helping our chanichim (campers) feel the magic that we felt when we were kids at Galil. And it’s not just madrichim (counselors) who do work here. Kids come back to do so much more than just have fun: your kids are building a kvutza, or a group of people who grow together. Kvutza is a process that kids have to work at, and it teaches them incredible interpersonal skills. Unlike in real life, you cannot choose your kvutzamates. Therefore, its your job to respect everyone in the group and include them in the communal process. Kids are learning things here, and these next few days are the time to reflect on the things we’ve learned. We’re going through the transition to the real world together. If Galil has taught us anything, we know that a group can do anything if we do it as a team. 

Final Shabbat!

Hey, everyone! I’m Elina, and today’s special guest on the blog. I’m a madatz (CIT) and will be writing the blog today – let’s get started.

 

Today we had an hour-and-a-half sleep-in because last night was Aliyah Bet. Aliyah Bet is an event planned by the bonimot (kids going into freshman year of high school), where all of the younger campers are woken up late at night and taken through the woods as an imitation of a historical Aliyah. This year’s theme was the 1970s Soviet Aliyah, resulting in the official title of “Aliyah Nyet” (lit. ‘Aliyah no’). Everyone walked through the Ring Road – a project that we madatz have been working on to re-establish an old trail that went around the entire camp. On the trail, we saw refuseniks (Soviet Jews) being denied the choice to leave the country, civilians being yelled at in Russian, and a couple of scary surprises. At the end of the trail, we rode the truck to the Mini-Mo, where we were served brownies and blini (Russian crepes). Of course, the bonimot made sure no one got too scared and that we all had a lot of fun! Then, we headed to bed.

Because of today’s sleep-in, there was no hitkansut boker (morning flag raising) or Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew), and we headed straight to breakfast. It was muffin day, as it is every Friday, and popular muffin choices included lemon poppy seed, cinnamon, sprinkle, and chocolate. Then, we headed for a shortened period of avodah (work) and nikayon tzrif (cabin cleaning). This week, the Nitzanimot (Taste of Galil campers) helped us madatz make the challah used for Shabbat dinner. After nikayon tzrif, we had madatz peulah shichva, which is an activity with your age group planned by us madatz! I was working with my kids, the BoBo, who traveled around camp to solve a fun Clue-style murder mystery. After madatz pish, we headed to Shabbat Shira to sing and get lice checks right before our pizza lunch. The specials today were sprinkle, Cheez-It, and barbeque pizzas. Afterwards, we had Hyde Park, where kids suggested possible ways of improving their experience here at camp. Then there was a block of chofesh (free time) where everyone could hang out, play soccer, and get ready for Shabbat.

Shabbat began with mispachot (family time), where everyone is assigned a ‘family’ where you can talk about how your week went. There was also a special surprise this Shabbat: MBI Shabbaton! MBI Shabbaton is when all of the campers who went on MBI (the summer program after bogrim year) come back and stay for Shabbat before going home. They joined us for blessings and Kabbalat Shabbat. This week, we madatz performed an English song, a Hebrew song, and a rikud (Israeli dance). We sang all together final time and headed to dinner, which was a classic meal of chicken, matzo ball soup, and sweet potato stew. After dinner, we sang some more and watched the Bogrimot oneg – a skit poking fun at everyone and everything at machaneh. We finished the night with some rikud, nitzanimot winning the golden broom, and madatz calls, after which we madatz put the kids to bed. An exciting Friday here at Camp Galil!

Nitzanim at Galil

The Nitzanim (Taste of Galil) campers joined us Wednesday morning and have been enjoying every second of life at Galil. After getting to know each other, they started off with lots of outdoor fun at the pool, playing tetherball and their own slip-and-slide adventure. They played sports, learned Camp cheers and have been enjoying every meal.

The Nitzanim played in the creek while the rest of us learned the history of different camp songs and cheers. We all joined together for lunch and taught each other old and new songs. After lunch the Niztzanim joined in as players, spectators, cheerleaders and announcers for a camp-wide game of ultimate frisbee. Fun was had by all and, as usual, everyone was a winner! We had delicious chicken wings (and spicy tofu) for dinner and then showed the Niztanim how we play Zap. You may remember from first session, Zap is Galil’s camp-wide version of flashlight tag. And in true Galil fashion, everyone had fun and all were winners. The Nitzanim went to bed and the rest of Camp participated in Aliyah Bet. Aliyah Bet is Galil’s method of teaching campers through a simulation of the European Jewish Aliyah; we give the Bonim (8th graders) the opportunity to plan this activity by leading the rest of camp through the woods, ending with an Israeli-themed party.

We all woke up a bit later than usual and spent the day preparing Galil for Shabbat. While the Madatzim (CITs) led a pool-themed activity for Galil, the Nitzanim made homemade Shabbat candles. We all came together for Shabbat Shira (Shabbat singing) and chowed down on a pizza lunch. Some swam, some played sports and the Nitzanim braided Challah for us all to enjoy at Shabbat dinner.

The Nitzanim have been all over Machaneh (camp) and are looking forward to rounding out their Taste of Galil experience with a traditional Galil Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom from all of us at Galil!

L'Dor V'dor

L’Dor V’dor. It’s a common Jewish saying, often sang or chanted in synagogue. I remember learning in Hebrew school that it means, “from generation to generation”. Today, on Yom L’Dor V’Dor”, our mission is to explore traditions. We’re talking about both Jewish teachings and Galil structures today. We aim to engage chanichim (campers) in discussing WHY traditions matter and HOW we keep them alive both at camp and at home.

Our merekezet chinuch (director of education) summarizes it like this: “What does it mean for Tikkun Olam, the Jewish concept of “healing the world”, to exist from generation to generation? What does it mean for macheneh (camp Galil) to be a special place for our parents and grandparents and alumni, as well as a special place for us right now, and for future chanichimot (campers) and madrichimot (counselors)?”

The special part of the day started at 11 am, at the Etz Ha Shira (Tree of Song). Four madrichim stood around the clump of chanichim: an Israeli, a lifeguard, a madricha, and rosh macheneh (head of camp). Each one shared a story about how an older relative inspired them and taught them. One talked about his kibbutznik grandpa who still wakes up every morning and tends his fruit trees, and who taught him about the joy of labor. We also heard about a father who turned down an acceptance to Brown, and attended community college so that he could take care of his family. His actions taught his daughter about selflessness and sacrifice.  

After the madrichim shared the stories, the kids separated into schcavot (age groups). The Cochavimot created Spheres of Influence, where they made personal diagrams connecting their names to the people and things that inspire them. They talked about the importance of passing down stories and the significance of family. The Melafefon and Bo-Bo went deeper in their peula (educational activity). They first made lists of Jewish things that they want to get passed down, like holidays, Hebrew language, lighting candles, songs, and blessings.

The peula asked them these questions:

·       In what way do you think these things have connected the past, present, and future of the Jewish people?

·       Do you want these things to continue to extend from generation to generation?

·       How can we make these things extend onward?

·       What does that ask of us as individuals? As youth? As Jews?

In the end of the peula, they wrote letters to their future selves with goals for the future, such as holding on to Galil friendships, or volunteering suring the year, or having a weekly Shabbat dinner with family.

While the rest of camp was doing these activities, the Nitzanim had a different schedule. Instead of sitting and listening to the stories, they got to use the new Slip N’ Slide on the slope by the barn.

Following this, we had Chugim! We read a list of available workshops, and chanichim (campers) can choose one that sounds interesting. The six workshop options today were based around music, and each had a theme. Two people led the chug “Labor Rocks”, where kids learned the songs “Union Maid” and “Miyatzilenu”. We also had the Chug “Macheneh Traditions”, where kids learned about Galil in past decades and sang original camp songs like “Separation Blues”.

At lunch, we came together and sang all the songs that we had learned in Chugim. We also ate pasta shells stuffed with ricotta and bathed in marinara sauce. After the pasta dishes were carried away, tzevet mitbach (kitchen staff) had wheeled out a treat: just-baked pies!

We served the delicious pies to the chanichim and then we all headed out for some free time. Kids were swinging on the new swing bench, taking cat naps, playing Magic or Euchre, and practicing on the basketball court.

Then the kids split up for Zman Meyuchad (specialist time). In the next few says, we’ll be having the kids contribute to Shabbat by leading singing, writing skits, and creating the bonfire.  Today in Zman Meyuchad, we let the kids pick what they wanted to work on. My group wrote the skit for Parsha Players, which is a weekly skit where we act out the Parshat Hashavua (torah potrion of the week). Madrichim (counselors) usually act in it, but this week the Cochavimot will be taking the stage. Other kids in Cochavimot were picking up sticks for Medura (bonfire) and creating decorations for Shabbat dinner. The Melafefon were choosing songs to sing during the procession that we do on Friday nights. The Bo-Bo were preparing to emcee Musicale (talent show) and also started writing the Oneg (funny skit poking fun at counselors). The Madatz (CITs) contribute to Shabbat this week by making challah. They are joined by the little Nitzanimot this week, and will braid the dough together.

In the afternoon, we’re celebrating another camp tradition. Galil loves playing Ultimate Frisbee! We planned an giant Ultimate tournament for the kids. There are four teams, with two coaches on each, and we’re going to play a fun, but ultimately non-competitive, game. We’ve planned a halftime show, featuring the stars of Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew). There will also be madrichim leading cheers, people playing music, and live commentary.

I think that the kids are really enjoying Yom L’Dor V’Dor. The day is all about tradition, and traditions can be incredibly grounding for kids. To be embraced into traditions is to belong, and every kid should feel like they have a home here. We hope that this day is empowering our chanichim (campers) to intentionally contribute to this community. Days like this make me proud to be a part of the Galil community. Thanks for letting your kids join us too!

Nitzanimot Arrives!

Who are those cute new kids running around the kikar (sports field)? Why are we hearing little voices right outside the Chadar ochel (dining hall)? What is going on at macheneh Galil?

The answer to all these questions is that the Nitzanimot are here! You may be wondering what Nitzanimot are. Is it a new game brought across the Atlantic by the shlichim (Israeli counselors)? Is it a unique type of breakfast sandwich? The answer to all these questions: NOPE. The Nitzanimot are a great group of post-second-graders who are trying out camp for four days. In this program, called Taste of Galil, younger kids can experience camp under the close care of our most experienced madrichim (counselors).

Today I caught up with our precious Nitzanimot at the pool while they were taking their swim tests. Everyone passed and we threw them a pool party with the new pool rafts that the Madatz (CITs) bought for Revo. Our new campers really enjoyed the floating on rafts shaped like pizza, watermelon, and angel wings. Check CampInTouch for more photos of Nitzanimot at the pool.

If you’re a new parent reading the blog, then welcome! Here you’ll learn more about how life at Galil works. While we’re here, let me clarify the “imot” endings that we use here. You’ll notice that we say “Cochavimot”, while other Jewish camps would say “Cochavim”. The grammar choice comes from our sister movement in Israel, a youth movement called “Ha’Noar Ha’Oved V’Alomed”. In Hebrew, the suffix “im” is masculine, and is used as the normal plural, while “ot” is the feminine suffix. By using “imot”, we are able name our schavot (age groups) in a more egalitarian, and less gendered, way.

Anyway, today was a packed day at Galil. We ate toasted bagels for breakfast and then headed off to avodah. One avodah group, in particular, has become very proud of their accomplishments. Bruit, the group that cleans the Bik (communal bathhouse) bathrooms, actually wrote a song celebrating their hard work. It goes, to the tune of High School Musical’s “Breaking Free”, “Scrubbing, squee-gee-ing, there’s not a toilet in the bik that we haven’t cleaned/ if we’re trying, yeah we’ll make it clean/ oh Bruit!”

Zman Meyuchad is the time of day when specialists (like me) get to lead workshops for kids in areas related to their tafkid (job). I usually plan photoshoots, where my kids can be models, photographers, or costume designers. Today I wanted to try something different. I had the Cochavimot, and I decided to work on a different type of communication. I gave each kid colored construction paper and writing utensils, and played some acoustic music on a portable speaker. I gave out prompts like, “Write a note to someone who has helped you this summer” and the kid would chose someone in their kvutza (age group) and send a little letter to them. At the end, all the kids got to keep their notes. We encouraged them to keep them safe so that they can look through them in a few years. I still have my notes from when I was a kid at Galil, and it’s crazy to re-read them as a madricha (counselor).

We got to catch up with the Nitzanim tonight at dinner, when we feasted on Israeli cuisine. Tonight we had chicken shwarma, pita, hummus, Israeli salad, broccoli, and couscous. At every meal, there is a group of chanichim (campers), Madatz (CITs) and madrichim (counselers) who serve and clean up. We rotate through this job and it’s called “doing toranut”.  Our kids find it really fun to play waiter for a night! We get to wear hats and refill platters during dinner. Afterwards, we wash all the reusable dishes, sweep the floors, and clean the tables. Sometimes toranut kids will get ice cream sandwiches if they work particularly hard.

For Tochnit Erev (evening activity), we had “Digestive Night”. The chanichim (campers) started off at the “mouth”, which was the refet (barn). They went though an obstacle course, which was the throat and then headed off to the stomach. At the stomach, the kids had to do tasks like balancing plates and making food out of random ingredients. It was a wacky but fun evening. See you tomorrow!

Bocoup!

Hi, my name is Olivia! I’ll be taking over the blog because today the Bogrim (oldest age group) took over camp! The day started like any other normal day with waffles for breakfast after hitkansut (flag raising). Then, the kids headed off to avodah (work). Next, we had our daily nikayon tzrif (cleaning our bunks). This is where the legitimate realization kicked in for the Bogrim that today, after days and late nights of hard work… Bocoup was today!

Bocoup is when Bogrim, the oldest age group, runs machenah (camp) for a little over half the day, just like madrichim (counselors). We spent over a week planning, budgeting, making tons of decorations, and working together as a team for today. During nikayon (cleaning our cabins), the bogrim did some final touch ups for the surprise event. This lead into pish. Pish is an activity we have on normal days where each age group has a meaningful discussion. After this, the Bogrim broke bocoup to the entire camp that we were kicking out the madrichim (counselors).

 The theme of Bocoup was Snow, thus making “Snowcoup”. Bruno, another chanich (camper) in Bogrim, played the roll of snowman. It started with Segev (our rosh/camp director) meeting everyone at the basketball court and telling all the kids that they had to stay in their bunks for 48 hours due to severe weather and snow warnings. The Bogrim appeared and protested, saying that kids should have FUN during snow days! This led to kicking out the madrichim (counselors). It resulted in a fun shaving cream fight and the learning of our snowcoup song. Then, the kids headed off to a ski lodge (the chadar, where we eat lol) and ate a yummy lunch of blintzes, hash-browns, mac n, cheese, and roasted cauliflower with a side of hot chocolate. We had some chofesh (free time) and then a carnival.

Out of nowhere came a Yeti. The yeti stole the magic snowman. The day rolled into a scavenger hunt, which lead to a haunted house. When kids were finished with that they got delicious cinnamon rolls. Kids had time to relax and get into bathing suits so they could enjoy a fun pool party hosted. The yeti showed his apology by hosting a dinner. Dinner was baked potato bar and quesadillas, followed by dessert of milkshakes. This eventful day ended with a messibah (party) hosted by the yeti to show that enemies can become friends. Tomorrow will resume to being a normal day with a well-deserved sleep-in for the bogrim (oldest age group). Becca will see you tomorrow!

                                                                                                            -Olivia

A Rainy Monday at Camp

There’s a perpetual plan to jokingly build a dome at macheneh (camp). The idea is that the dome would encase our property, thus allowing us to control the weather. We laugh about having a Dome avodah (job group) who would build it all summer, and people suggest “Revo Dome” as a possible theme for the day that the Madatz (CITs) plan for camp. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet built the dome and our weather conditions aren’t up to us. Still, we don’t let precipitation affect our levels of fun!

The rain started before we woke up today and kept on going all day. Still, we have lots of indoor spaces that we host activities in, so macheneh can function successfully in any weather. Hitkansut (flag raising) started the day, this time in the moadon (rec hall). (The moadon is our largest multi-purpose building, and we use it for a ton of activities, as you’ll hear about today.) The kids enjoyed a special episode of Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew). In the show, Moshe sprained his ankle and the Jewish Godparents took him to the doctor over in North Dakota. The Hebrew word of the day was “dakot” and the English word of the day was “minutes”.  After Ivrit Shimushit, he headed to the chedar ochel (dining hall) to eat. Today was a special breakfast that we’ve never had before- egg bar! There were cheesy eggs, green eggs, vegetable eggs, eggs over easy, and eggs with broccoli and onion

The droplets continued to come down through avodah (work time) but we kept our heads up. We still swept the floors, washed the mirrors, and organized the art supplies. After avodah (work time) was nikayon (cleaning time). 

Because of the rain, sports ran a little differently today. We weren’t able to use the pool or sports field, so we got to try some new things. The kids could chose between yoga in the Mini-Mo (small rec hall), dance in the Moadon (large rec hall), Gaga in the gaga pit, or Ultimate Throwing Competition in the pavilion. The chanichim (campers) enjoyed trying new things and people even stayed dry!

Chugim (interest groups) ran as usual today. Some camper favorites include Wish Chug and The Underground. In Wish Chug, chanichim write down wishes at the beginning of the week, such as”I wish to have 20 ballons all to myself”, or “I wish to eat a peach while listening to Lady Gaga”.  Every day, the madrichim in charge will grant one of those wishes! The Underground does secret missions around macheneh (camp). I don’t even know what they do; it’s that secret!

For Tochnit Erev (evening activity), the tzevet (staff) carried out an original activity created at our sister camp, Habonim Dror Camp Moshava in Maryland. In the activity, we had to convince a group of robots that they couldn’t tear down the historic shtetl to build a tech center. The robots couldn’t read the Torah, and didn’t know anything about our history. We gathered in groups led by Torah characters, like Adam+Eve, and created skits explaining the stories. The kids performed the skits for the Robot Council and all of camp, and the robots decided to let the shtetl stay! Robots, Torah characters, and kids all celebrated by doing the Techno-Hora! It was a funny night full of real learning as well as hilarious skits and awesome robot suits.