Amelimot Tiyul & Bogrimot Frisbee Tournament

                Hello Parents! This morning began just like a regular morning with everyone waking up and heading off to hitkansut boker(morning flag raising) and watching ivrit shimushit(useful Hebrew) mechonit which means car. Afterwards everyone went to breakfast where we had scones and apple pastries along with the usual cereals and yogurts. After breakfast, we said good-bye to the Amelimot as they set out on their tiyul(hike), they’ll be hiking around and in the evening they will return to machaneh(camp) and pitch their tents in the shire where they will spend the night. They will enjoy lots of camping activities like s’mores and campfire stories.

Amelim excited for Tiyul

                The Bogrimot finally got good weather today so they left this morning to compete in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament with other camps within the area. For lunch today we had gooey mac-and-cheese with broccoli. For sports today we had a selection of Swimming, Running, and Basketball. For pish(age group activity) the Anakimot had their usual instruction swim, the tzophimot began preparing for kabbalat Shabbat which is when a shikva performs an English and Hebrew song along with a classic Jewish dance on Shabbat. The Bonimot had a kvutsa bonding activity.

An intense game of basketball during Sports

                Dinner today was beef goulash, rice, and green beans . Tochnit Erev(evening activity) tonight is l’fi shikva meaning each shikva(age group) will be doing their own activity tonight. I went down to the pool to be a lifeguard during a pool party for the Bonimot and Bogrimot so that they could become closer as a kvutsah and to celebrate both the Bogrim’s performance at JRF’s Frisbee tournament and one of the Bonot’s birthday. It was a lot of fun and we had lots of cake to accompany us.

Bonot during their Peula

                We’ll be back tomorrow on Thursday to bring you the blog and more pictures, but for now I wish you all a good-night!

                -Guy

Kupa Trip to Dorney Park

This morning the Madatzimot decided to have a fake Revo in order to hide the fact that we were all going on Kupa Trip. Their fake theme was ‘Christmas’ and they sang festive tunes while going to breakfast and skipping hitkansut boker(morning flag raising). Once all the kids ate quiche, cereals, and yogurt, the madrichimot(counselors) came back into the chadar and we told the chanichimot that we were going on Kupa Trip, but still hadn’t revealed our destination. Kids made their own sandwiches for lunch and we packed bathing suits, sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and spare clothes in our day packs before hopping onto the busses at around 10:00.

A Madricha and chaniach on the carousel

We arrived at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, just outside of Allentown and we got off the busses and had our lunch before heading inside. Everyone split off into small, assigned groups and explored the park at their leisure for about 4 hours. Some people went to the water park, while others (like myself) went to the rollercoasters and rode metal behemoths with the intent of getting our adrenaline flowing like waterfalls, in fact I can still feel the wind in my hair. Frankly all the kids had a tremendous time at Dorney, and rightfully so.

All of machaneh enjoying Dorney Park

Tonight, we are taking it slow with a movie being shown outside the mini-mo to end our day right. Afterwards I expect everyone to hop into bed and fall asleep without any hesitation. We’ll see you all again tomorrow with a much more regular schedule.

Cloudy Skies and Spooky Surprises

Good evening again, parents and other fans of the daily Camp Galil Blog, today was another yom ragil(regular day) for everyone here except for the Bonimot who were still on tiyul in the morning. Ivrit Shimushit(Usefull Hebrew skit) this morning was the word lo which means ‘no’ in Hebrew, certainly a useful word to know. Breakfast today was pancakes, including chocolate chip pancakes and sprinkle pancakes.

A super cool chanicha

For pish (age group activities) today, the Amelimot went on a lovely creek walk, the Anakimot had a sicha(discussion) about kupa which is what the kids refer to as their shared pool of candy and snacks. The Tzophimot watched “In Time” and the Bogrimot continued to plan Bocoup. Lastly, the Madatzimot talked about their Jewish Identity. Our sports selection for today is Just Dance, Gaga, Basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee. Unfortunately swimming was cancelled due to impending rain and thunder.

Bogrim strategizing during ultimate frisbee

For lunch today we had quesadilla, one of my favorite meals. Frankly any cheese meal is a favorite of mine. The clouds did not seem to want to go away at all the entire day which put a damper on most of us, especially the Bogrimot who were expected to go to an Ultimate Frisbee tournament today, but were unable to due to impending weather conditions. For dinner we had chicken wings, another exciting meal from tzevet mitbach (kitchen staff), today has just been great in terms of our meals. Tonight’s Tochnit erev(night activity) was Halloween, where everyone dressed up in costume and we recreated the spooooooky holiday that all the kids love. Kids went around to the different tzrifim as if they were houses and madrichimot pretended to be home owners giving out candy. Afterwards we had an exciting messiba(party) with even more candy and dancing to a special Halloween soundtrack.

Chanichim hungry for wings

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog because we’re all going on kupa trip tomorrow to one of my favorite places in the entire world!

                -Guy

Good-Bye Tiyul, Hello Tel-Aviv

Shalom parents! We’re back with the blog and today we started off with a damp Sunday morning. Everyone woke up well rested after we concluded Shabbat this weekend and we made our way to the toren (flagpole) to raise our flags and sing songs to kick off the day right. With that out of the way Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew skit) taught us all the word Balagan  which means ‘mess’. Afterwards the Madatzimot (CITs) from Camp Moshava hopped onto their bus and headed back to Maryland, a very sad sight to see. Breakfast this morning was our usual Sunday bagels, but this time we had a nice surprise of lox.

Surprisingly cheerful Madatzimot as they say good-bye to their Mifgash friends

Avodah(work/job) was not all that exciting for us due to the rain last night, especially for me and the chanichimot(campers) that were doing anaf Brecha(pool duty). Walking down to the pool only to see wet leaves and cloudy skies didn’t necessarily brighten our moods this morning, but nonetheless we cleaned up the pool area as we do every day with a smile on our faces (At least we tried with smiles on our faces). After a quick session of nikayon(cleaning) the chanichimot headed off to pish (age group activities). The Amelimot & Anakimot had their usual instructional swim. The Tzophimot learned about the other machanot(camps) in Habonim Dror and the Bogrimot began planning “Bocoup” which is when the Bogrimot take over machaneh from lunch until bedtime and they run many incredible activities and it is one of the most anticipated events of the summer.

Bogrimot planning Bocoup

The Bonimot left this morning to go on tiyul(hike) and they began by going to Linvilla Farms, where they will pick fruits and vegetables to use in making their dinner for the night. Afterwards they will take a bus down to Delaware and hike through a trail in Brandywine Creek and afterwards they will pitch their tents at the campsite. They will come back to machaneh tomorrow at around lunch time.  Our sports selection for today is Swimming, Gaga, Yoga, and Ultimate Frisbee.

A chaniach playing basketball with his madriach

For lunch today we had a lovely pasta bar with ravioli! Our mitbach(kitchen) crew was kind enough to include a small bowl of pesto to join the array of sauces on the buffet table (Mmm, my favorite). Afterwards, kids will have a short rest break to let the food settle in their stomachs before we kick off activities again with zman meyuchad(specialists time), a time where the specialists of Galil get to showcase some of their tricks and techniques with the chanichimot in different ways. I’ll be running a journalism themed group every day during this time and the kids will be doing different activities surrounding journalism and writing, and perhaps we may see some of their work on the blog in the future!

Chinichot playing gaga

For dinner we had grilled chicken breasts and couscous. Tonight’s Tochnit erev(night activity) was replicating the famous bus station in Tel Aviv and all its incredible and unique people that it attracts daily. There were street vendors and people teaching shesh-besh(backgammon) along with shady looking individuals roaming the area.

That’s all for tonight, we’ll be back at it again tomorrow evening!

                -Guy

First Shabbat of Second Session!

Shabbat Shalom!

Since Guy, our communications specialist, is on chofesh, (day off) I’m here to follow in his footsteps.  My name is Adam and I’m a madatz (CIT) for the Bonimot and I’ll be writing the blog today with the help of last session communication specialist Abby Kastenberg

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day. After raising the flags at Hitkansut Boker (the morning flag raising) we had a delicious breakfast of waffles, fruit, and cereal. Then, everyone worked hard to beautify machaneh (camp) and their tzrifim (cabins) as the first Golden Broom competition winners of Second Session will be announced this evening. Today, the Tzophimot went on the high ropes course, a series of challenges including a Zip Line, a Giant’s Ladder (which chanichimot climb in pairs), as well as the Three Elements: the incline log, the cat walk, and the heebie jeebies (where a chanichol (camper) walks across a wire holding onto ropes of different lengths). In addition, today the Madatz (CITs) from Machaneh Moshava (Camp Moshava, one of Galil’s sister camps) came up all the way from Maryland to visit for the weekend!

Today's Ivrit Shimushit (Useful Hebrew) skit

During Madatz Pish (age group activity led by the CITs), the Amelimot played fun games to get to know each other and their madatz (CITs), the Anakimot got a chance to learn more about their madatz through interactive activities,, the Bonimot participated in The Amazing Galil Race which culminated in a pool party, while the Bogrimot had some Zman Kvutza (group time).  At the end of Madatz Pish, the chanichimot put on some crazy costumes for Shabbat Shira (Friday singing time). On Fridays, the age group that sings the loudest and has the most energy while learning new songs is rewarded by being called to lunch first! Traditionally, Friday lunch is homemade pizza with lots of delicious toppings from veggies to hot sauce, as well as fresh grapes and salad bar. Chanichimot eat outside, picnic-style, in Hyde Park before gathering around the benches to state their feedback about how the week went and suggestions about how to improve machaneh.

A few of the Amelot all dressed up for Shabbat!

After lunch, the chanichimot relax with a block of free time to make crafts in the Beit Omanut (arts and crafts building), compete against madrichimot (counselors) in the Mischak Hashavua (Sport of the Week), and dress up for Shabbat. This week the Mischak Hashavua is Ultimate Frisbee, a crowd favorite! Optional t’filot (prayers) will be held in the gan (garden).

Before the start of Shabbat, the chanichimot (campers) will be split into their Mishpachot (families) with groups of their actual family members and individuals from different age groups at machaneh. In these groups, they’ll reflect on the busy week by discussing the best and worst thing that happened to each person, as well as what they’re most looking forward to in the week ahead. The Mishpachot will also talk about this week’s Torah portion and pose some questions as food for thought. Then, the Mishpachot will each join in for a Procession around machaneh singing songs and ending at the toren (flag pole) where everyone will greet each other for Shabbat before lowering the flag.

Machaneh (camp) watches the Anakimot lead Kabbalat Shabbat

Before dinner, the Anakimot will lead this week’s Kabbalat Shabbat, which includes singing songs in Hebrew and English, and performing a rikud (Israeli dance). Lia, our Rosh Machaneh (Head of Camp) will tell a story before everyone sings prayers to welcome Shabbat while facing the setting sun. Then we’ll head to a dinner of chicken, vegetables, and delicious challah bread baked by the Madatz. After dinner, there will be more shira (singing time) before the week’s silly oneg (skit), which the Bonimot will perform before leading the whole machaneh in rikud.

Since tomorrow there will be no blog post because it's Shabbat, chanichimot can look forward to a leisurely Shabbat including a sleep-in, a sweet surprise for breakfast, and lots of chofesh (free time). After the Madatz run an activity for all of machaneh, the Bogrimot and Madrichimot (counselors) will each run chugim (electives). Lunch will be sandwiches in a picnic held for each shichva (age group) around machaneh (camp). In the evening, there will be a Musicale where chanichimot will sing songs for each other before heading into Havdalah when everyone will sit in a spiral and watch the stars before singing prayers. As a chanicha (camper), this was always my favorite part of the week. Afterwards, everyone will head over to medurah, a bonfire where chanichimot perform silly acts, and then get ice cream before going to bed.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Adam  and Abby

Meet The 2nd Session Tzevet!

                Good morning parents! I would like to introduce myself as the new Communication Specialist for Camp Galil’s 2^nd Session of 2016. My name is Guy Shimoni-Livny and I will be in charge of writing the majority of Camp Galil’s blog posts for these next 3 weeks (There may be a few guest appearances). Along with writing the blog I will be in charge of maintaining our clean and clear pool for the rest of the summer in partnership with my good friend Mitch.

Communication Specialist / Pool Specialist : Guy

                A little more info about myself: I just finished my first year at Montgomery County Community College, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. This is my 2^nd year on tzevet (staff) and this past session I was a madriach (counselor) for the Bogrimot (Oldest kids, going into 10^th grade), which was a lot of fun. One of my favorite times of the day during machaneh (camp) is Chugim (interest groups) and just about every single meal we have here. Enough about me, let’s get on with meeting the rest of tzevet!

Tzevet Amelimot (Left to Right): Taylor, Rafi, Dan M., Becca

Tzevet Anakimot (Left to Right): Adam, Miranda, Eve, Dan W.

Tzophimot Tzevet(Left to Right): Ben, Brianna, Matt, Gabi

Bonimot Tzevet(Left to Right): Amit, Nina, Natalie [Mike not pictured]

Bogrimot Tzevet(Left to Right): Jenna A., Tom, Berman, Shir

Arts and Crafts Specialists: Abby & Jenna S.G.

Chatzran/Grounds Keeper Assistant : Alex

Gan/Garden Specialist: Colan

Rosh Mitbach( Kitchen): Leora

Ropes and Tiyul(Hiking) Specialists: Joel and Erica

We're also pleased to finally introduce our new chefs! Troy and Kareem are in the mitbach(kitchen)  and are two spectacularly skilled individuals. Not only are they our very special chefs, but they also run a vegetarian food truck in Philadelphia!

Troy & Kareem accompanied by Baked Ziti

First Full Day of Second Session!

           Good evening parents! Today we end the first full day of machaneh(Camp) after having an exciting schedule loaded with fun and engaging activities. The day started out just like every other day begins at machaneh, all the chanichimot(campers) woke up at eight o'clock and gathered outside around our toren(flagpole) so that we could begin hitkansut boker(morning flag raising). After the flags were raised and songs were sang, the chanichimot gathered together and sat down to watch one of my personal favorite things of machaneh, and that would be Ivrit Shimushit(useful Hebrew words)! The word of the day on this fine morning was stam meaning 'just kidding'.

A chaniach sitting by the pool

         Once that concluded, everyone walked down the road towards our lovely chadar ochel(dining hall) to dig into scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruits, and cereal for breakfast. Once everyone was finished eating, we divided up into different Avodah (work/chore) groups such as gan (gardening), mitbach/bishul (cooking, chopping vegetables), or medurah (gathering wood for Saturday’s bonfire).

Once that concluded, everyone headed back to their tzrifim(cabin) for nikayon(cleaning) to make sure that their beds and floors were neat and tidy.

Stretching before a run 

          Peula Shikvah(age group activity) started immediately afterwards and each shikvah(age group) went to do their own activity. The Amelimot went to instructional swim lessons for the first half to receive swimming instructions from Mitch, our swim instructor for the day. The Anakimot also did instructional swim, but for the second half of Peula Shikvah. Meanwhile the Tzophimot, Bonimot, and Bogrimot all started off the session with kvutsah(group) bonding activities.

Chanichimot doing instructional swim

      With the end of Peula Shikvah comes sports! After the activities concluded each kid was given the option to join a sport of their choice from a list of including Swimming, Frisbee, Just Dance, Running, and Basketball. The chanichimoti ran around and got their daily dose of exercise for close to an hour while at the same time they drank water so as to not get dehydrated.

Green hands after making 'ooblek'

          For lunch today we had baked ziti, and what a great way to kick off the summer with such a spectacular meal! Our mitbach(kitchen) staff never fails to amaze me with each and every meal that they make for us. Later, the chanichimot will have free swim, kibud (snack), chugim (clubs/special interest groups), and shira (singing time) before dinner.

An extatic chanicha with a bored Rosh

          Dinner tonight was a barbeque cook out underneath the Pavilion and tochnit erev(evening activity) is l’fi shikvah meaning each shikvah will be doing their own activity to conclude the day. That’s all for this evening, stay tuned for tomorrow because it will be the first Shabbat of 2^nd Session!

          -Guy