Mifgash! Mifgash! Mifgash!

Tzophim rock climbing

Excitement permeated the air this morning as the Bogrim (post-9th graders) and Madatzim (junior counselors) prepared to meet their age group (kvutza) from Camp (Machaneh) Moshava in Maryland and from Camp Na'aleh in New York. Once a summer, the Bogrim from these camps all meet up at one machaneh to meet their friends from Galil's sister camps in Habonim Dror. This meeting is called Mifgash, and is one of the most exciting times of the summer at Galil. This morning ran normally, with special programming for the Bogrim and Madatzim. The Tzophim (post-7th graders) came back from the camping trip, where they cooked their own dinner, hiked, and rock-climbed. The rest of machaneh went to regular programming and prepared for our Maccabia (inter-camp sports competition).Here's the breakdown of how the day ran:

Bogrot from Galil and Moshava

The kitchen staff (tzevet mitbach) prepared a special barbeque lunch for the Bogrim and Madatzim, where they received their friends from Machaneh Moshava. After lunch, the Bogrim played some ice breaking games and got to know each other, after which they had an activity (peula) about MBI, Habonim Dror's Israel trip after 10th grade. They learned about all of the fun locations visited during this trip and about the huge variety of friends campers (chanichim) meet on MBI. The Madatzim reconnected with their friends from MBI and learned about youth leadership.

Madatzim from Galil and Moshava

Chugim (Special Interest Electives)

After a peaceful Shabbat, we are ready to continue our weekly schedule. For breakfast we had our classic Sunday morning bagels and cream cheese. The weather was beautiful again today, so the chanichim enjoyed a fun sports session before lunch. During the afternoon age-group activity (peulat shichva), the Amelim (post-3rd or 4th graders) learned about kibbutzim in Israel, shared values, and had a relay race with milk. The Tzophim (post-7th graders) left today for their camping trip (tiyul), where they will be hiking and rock climbing. The Bogrim led the camp (machaneh) in songs and chants after lunch in preparation for when our sister camps (Na'aleh and Moshava) come tomorrow.

After lunch every day, we have time for the campers (chanichim) to participate in special interest groups (chugim) that they choose. Unlike skill groups (kishronot), chugim is a time where chanichim and counselors (madrichim) can have fun and bond over shared interests. Chanichim have many chugim to choose from, from the acapella chug to a fun and creative chug, "holiday every day," where chanichim explore different cultures around the world by experiencing their holidays. Today chugim time was very exciting: chug chag ("holiday every day") celebrated Valentine's Day and made cards. Chug Avatar practiced their "firebending" by avoiding touching the basketball court in a game of "the floor is lava." One chug had a pool party and danced to their favorite songs. Chug acapella practiced arrangements of "Because" and "Something" by the Beatles.

Second Shabbat and Jewish Culture

An Amela having her wish granted

This morning everyone awoke feeling refreshed and anticipating the spirit of Shabbat. After an extended morning work and cleaning period, the Madatzim (junior-counselors) ran age-group activities (peulot shichva) for the whole camp (machaneh): The Amelim (post-3rd and 4th graders) wrote down their wishes a few days ago, and today the wishes were granted (within reason). The Chotrim worked together to understand the importance of collective efforts; they made a large whirlpool in the pool. The Sayarim learned more about trust and team-building. The Tzophim made a cake to symbolize their age group (shichva) and learned about conflict resolution. The Bonim learned about Judaism by building their ideal Jewish communities with cereal and icing. The Bogrim ran their own fun activities for each other, training them to be better leaders.

Serving pizza during Friday lunch

At Galil, our culture has always been defined by Jewish values. Every morning, we teach a new Hebrew word during ivrit shimushit (useful Hebrew) after flag-raising. Throughout our day, we use these and many more Hebrew words to teach Israeli culture. When it comes to Shabbat, however, our Jewish spirit is heightened. Preparing for Shabbat, everyone washes and cleans and dresses up and wishes each other a Shabbat Shalom. On Friday night, one age group (shichva) performs an Israeli song and dance to welcome Shabbat. This week, the Tzophim (post-7th graders) are performing Ani Ve'Ata and dancing Darkeinu. Before Shabbat dinner, we have a tradition of counselors (madrichim) blessing their chanichim, as a parent would to a child. Shabbat dinner is a very special time as well, as friends make a special effort to sit together. After dinner, a different shichva puts on a short play (oneg) and also leads Israeli dance.

On Shabbat (Saturday), we serve no cooked food during meals and start the day off late with doughnuts and sweetened cereal. Shabbat is a very restful time; chanichim do not work in the morning or go to structure sports and have ample free time to sleep. On Saturday night (erev Shabbat) after dinner, we have havdala (end of Shabbat ceremony), which many consider to be their favorite time of the week. Chanichim and madrichim then sing songs they prepared during a time called Musicale or perform funny skits during our campfire (medura). Finally, the chanichim eat ice cream and are put to bed by the eldest chanichim, the Bogrim.

Shabbat Shalom and have a good and peaceful weekend. Check back on Sunday!

4th of July!

Bogrim handing out cookies during kibud

Though today ran on a normal schedule, it was by no means a normal day. During morning flag raising, everyone showed up wearing red, white, and blue and feeling patriotic. After singing and flag-raising, we had a special breakfast with chocolate milk to start off our exciting day! We had great weather today, so sports was especially energetic after the past few rainy days. After lunch we sang many classic patriotic songs and anthems. A pool party during free swim (schiya chofshit) followed, and everyone chowed down on red white and blue cookies during snack time (kibud). This evening, the campers (chanichim) will be treated to a fireworks show.

The Amelim and Bogrim (post 3rd and 4th graders, post 9th graders) played a huge game of capture the American flag as Am-bo buddies (pairs of youngest and oldest chanichim). The Amelim also recorded a special message for the Galil Radio station. They are very excited to hear their voices tomorrow on the radio!
The Chotrim (post 5th graders) learned about Jewish history and different sects of Judaism by acting out scenes from their favorite Jewish movies.

Amelim in the radio booth

The Sayarim (post 6th graders) learned how swim the breast stroke and played sharks and minnows in the pool and practiced their Israeli dance and Hebrew song for kabbalat shabbat tomorrow.
The Tzophim (post 7th graders) were on the high ropes course today for the first time. After lunch, they worked together and supported each other when tackling the zip line.
The Bonim (post-8th graders) helped bake muffins for tomorrow morning! They made some special flavors like banana strawberry. Additionally, they played a game of manhunt, British vs. Patriots.
The Madatzim (counselors in training) planned activities and spent time with the chanichim with whom they work.

Tikun Olam

Amelim playing Wii bowling with the elderly

Today everyone woke up early to get ready for tikun olam (community service). Because assisting the community is one of our most valued tenets, we leave camp (machaneh) every session for a day to volunteer for various causes. Campers (chanichim) especially enjoy tikun olam because they get they chance to work with their friends and see the difference they are making in the community. For this tikun olam day, the chanichim were split up by age group.

The Amelim (post 3rd and 4th graders) did yoga and played Wii sports games with the elderly at Pennswood Village.

Bonot and Rachael with a baby goat

Bonim and Bogrim playing with special needs children

The Chotrim (post 5th graders) went to the Abramson Center for Jewish Life and played danced, sang, and played bingo with the elderly.

The Sayarim and Tzophim (post 6th, post 7th graders) packed boxes with food and delivered them to the needy and elderly through the Jewish Relief Agency.

The Bonim and Bogrim (post 8th, 9th graders) helped run a fun day for the campers of special needs Camp Carousel (Rainbow Academy). They had a pizza party and helped the campers swim, play on the playground, and ride horses.

The Madatzim (junior counselors) played music with students with cerebral palsy from HMS School and decorated their wheelchairs for a Fourth of July Parade and a dance party!

When we got back in the afternoon, everyone split up into groups to reflect about the day. One chanica recalled feeling empowered and like she could see the difference she made. Another called his tikun olam experience humbling and eye-opening to the issues of the world.

Keep checking back with the blog. Don't forget to subscribe to our Facebook and Google+ page!

Garden Update and An (Almost) Rain-Free Day

Today we have a guest post from our Environmental Educator, Rachael!

The garden (gan) is blossoming with all of the rain and warm weather. This week, the tomatoes started ripening and the cucumber and zucchini flowers are out in full bloom!  During morning work groups (avodah), the campers (chanichim) have been harvesting lettuce, basil, and spinach. Today at lunch, we had pasta salad with basil from the gan. Yum! We also have been using lettuce from the gan in the salad bar at lunch and dinner.  Something we're looking forward to in the coming week in the gan is making jam from the mulberry trees around machaneh (camp).

Today the Amelim prepared for the tikkun olam (healing the world) trip tomorrow.  The focus was on respecting each other and all people that they meet.  We hope that they now feel more empowered to be the change they wish to see in the world!


The Chotrim built rafts and talked about the importance of tikkun olam in their lives.  They also learned the breaststroke during instructional swim.

The Sayarim had a low key day discussing (again!) tikkun olam after their big kupa (literally a cash register; the term we use for candy at camp) party last night!  They feasted on cookies and juice while playing games and bonding as a group.

The Tzofim practiced for their Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday night.  They will be performing "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars and "Ani v'Atah" by Arik Ainshtein.  In addition they will do the Israeli dance Darkeinu.  Look forward to a picture on Friday on our Facebook page!

The Bonim learned about youth leadership today, especially focusing on the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.  They were especially interested to find out that many of the leaders were members of Dror, a precursor to our parent movement of Habonim Dror North America.

The Bogrim were on the high ropes course for the day.  They did all of the elements: the catwalk, incline log, monkey tails, zip line, and giant's ladder.  

In other exciting news, Kisharon Radio WOOO is preparing for their first broadcast on Friday.  We're so excited about this new activity at Galil.  Check back to hear it!

Sheep, Wool, and More Rain Fun

Today everyone woke up to pouring rain, but regular programming and fun continued despite the wet weather. Sports was even more exciting today, as campers (chanichim) chose from a set of special sports: dodgeball, Israeli dance (rikud) or soccer in the mud. The Bonim (post-8th graders) learned about Jews all around the world, including Haredim, Ethiopian Jews, and Mizrahi Jews. The Amelim (post-3rd and 4th graders) returned from their hiking and camping trip (tiyul) today.  Last night they cooked their own chili dinner, helped tend to the fire, and told stories before sleeping in tents in the Pavilion (due to the rain and flash flood warnings we had to change the original plans of going rafting down the Delaware River!).

Amelim on their camping trip (tiyul)

For the past three summers Galil has partnered with the wonderful shepherdess, Judi, from Ewe Can Do It, a local sheep farm in Newtown, PA. This year Judi is letting us spend the summer with two of her baby lambs:  Builder and Dreamer.

Mikey, Rachael, Talia, Builder and Dreamer

Our Environmental Educator, Rachael, and chanichim in the garden (gan) skill group and morning work group help tend to the sheep. Whenever there is free time, there are always chanichim keeping the sheep company, feeding them oats and hay, or taking them for walks to graze. Today, Judi spent the day at Galil.  While here, she taught the chanichim all about the process of shearing sheep, then how to spin wool yarn with drop spindles. The chanichim loved spending time with such an experienced farmer and wool spinner and making their own yarn for crocheting or knitting.