Day Two- Ivrit Shimushit and Sports

Today was our first “normal” day of second session, but there was nothing average about it. We woke up in our tzrifim (cabins) at 8, and made our way to the toren (flagpole) by 8:30.  After we raised the Israeli flag, the American flag, and the flag of Habonim Dror, we all sat on the grass to watch Ivrit Shimushit. Every morning, madrichim (counselors) perform a funny skit that teaches a Hebrew word. There is a central theme all throughout the session, and Ivrit Shumushit is like a TV show where we watch characters develop while learning a new language. This session’s Ivrit Shimushit will follow a young Galilnik camper named Moshe, who has two magical Jewish godparents who help him out. The Hebrew word of today was “cochavim”. Do you know what that means? Comment below if you do!

Zman Meyuchad

Today’s breakfast was a camp favorite: quiche! We had optional vegetables on the buffet, along with strawberries, cantaloupe, cereal, and oatmeal.  At the end of breakfast, we split into avodah (working) groups. Galil is a Labor Zionist camp, and avodah time helps us emphasize the labor aspect. Avodah choices include sweeping the moadon (rec hall), organizing art supplies in the Beit Omanut (art center), clearing filters down by the pool, and finding sticks for our famous Saturday night bonfire called Medurah. 

Pish Alef

A unique fact about Galil is that all the educational content is written by our own staff! Every madrichol (counseler) who works with kids spends a lot of time writing original peulot (lessons) that include games, discussions, puzzles, and often costumes.  During peula shichvah (age group activity), or pish, madrichimot get the chance to run their planned activities with their kids. During Pish Aleph, Am-Cho lestarted learning their songs for Kabbalat Shabbat. On Friday night, they will perform an English song, and Hebrew song, and a dance for the whole machaneh. Say-Tzo had a discussion on community, and talked about how to collaborate as a group. Bo-Bo made sugar cookies and talked about how they could influence Galil culture as the oldest kids in camp.  

Free Swim

After Pish (age group activity), we have Zman Meyuchad (special time), where specialists like me get to plan things for kids. In my Zman Meyuchad today, I supplied props and costumes for the Bo-Bo’s epic photoshoot. You can check out the finished photos on CampInTouch!

Later in the day, we have sports! I walked around during this time, taking poctures of kids playing, swimming, and dancing. First I visited Dance, where some kids were learning Israeli dance and practicing cartwheels. In Basketball, I saw our Rosh (head of camp) helping a kid score the winning shot. Down by the pool, people were splashing and jumping in the deep end.  After sports is free swim, so kids have time to go swimming, to continue their sports games, or to go rest.

Instructional Swim for Am/Cho

After dinner, we had a special Tochnit Erev (evening activity). Tonight was “Meet the Madrichim (counselors) Night”, and the kids had to complete various challenges to win facts about Galil’s madrichim. After completing challenges in art, music, dance, martial arts, and sports, the kids went to the basketball court, where we sang “Rad Hayom” (the Galil lullaby) and all went off to sleep. 

Laila tov!