L'hitraot, Machaneh Galil!

Well, folks, it looks to be about that time.  Tzvatim read out Last Will and Testaments to their chanichim, where every chanich is left with a few things that exemplify their personalities before they're off to the world far far away, the world outside machaneh.  Parents arrived to the parking lot and took their kids away, but hopefully in a few weeks they will bring them right back to the first few ken activities, Ken Rikud at the Art Museum on August 31 and Fall Seminar on September 26-28.  The madrichim are at machaneh for a few more days of deconstruction to clean and make sure machaneh is ready for future events like seminar.

We would really like to thank you, our readers, for checking out the blog so often.  We had a great time writing it and are pleased with the average turnout: over 40 visitors per day!  We look forward to seeing all the chanichim during the year at ken events.  Shalom!

L'hitraot, Machaneh Galil,

Alon v'Josh

l'hitraot - see you again!

tzvatim - staff

machaneh - camp

chanichim - campers

madrichim - counselors

ken - nest (and also the name for the Habonim Dror events during the year)

v' - and

Last Call For Everything

It was a day of lasts at machaneh. Today marked the last peulat shichvah of the summer. The Bogrim discussed their post-chaniach Galil future, while the Tzophim choreographed a dance which they performed for the machaneh later in the day.

The afternoon allowed for plenty of packing and nikayon tzrif. After aruchat tzaharayim, an impromptu dance party broke out in the chadar ochel. Extreme stretching ran it's final rendition of extremeness during sports today, as pilates worked everyone's core one last time. During hitkansut erev, the madrichim took time to explain how chanichim can see their friends during the year at various events (fall seminar is only a month away).

We had one last post-aruchat erev shira session. Immediately following, chanichim had the opportunity to sing and play music for everyone at musical, or to perform one last skit at medurah. The evening all but ended with the final mesibah. In line with the mesibah theme, chanichim dressed up ready to root for their favorite team. The Perseids meteor shower provided a beautiful sky show for everyone's walk back to their tzrifim.

We're sad to know that come this time tomorrow, everyone's bags will be packed and ready to go, and this summer's blog will see it's last entry.

B'shalom,

Josh

machaneh - camp

peulat shichvah - age group activities

chaniach - camper

chadar ochel - dining hall

aruchat tzaharayim - lunch

nikayon tzrif - cabin cleaning

hitkansut erev - evening gathering

aruchat erev - dinner

shira - singing

medurah - bonfire

mesibah - party

Tisha B'av

Tisha B'av brought a more solemn and educational day to machaneh. Shchavot ran peulot focusing the idea of sin'at chinam and the act of how labeling people causes divides among one another.

The afternoon brought another opportunity for chanichim to learn in chugim ritzinim. Chugim options included learning about tefillin and prayer, the story of Matthew Shepard and the relationship between China and Tibet.

After a delicious meal for those who fasted during the day, machaneh watched the Oscar winning short film "West Bank Story," a comedic musical satirically depicting the Israel - Palestinian conflict. The film naturally led to a sichah that continued to address the topic of the day, sin'at chinam.

B'shalom,
Josh


machaneh - camp
shchavot - age groups
peulot - activities
sin'at chinam - baseless hatred
chanichim - campers
chugim ritzinim - serious interest groups
sichah - discussion

Shabbat, for the last time :(

Yesterday we foreshadowed our weekend with the traditional muffin breakfast.  This was also the last time the Madatzim had the opportunity to run peulot for their individual sh'chavot. The Sayarim Madatzim ran water games, and the Tzofim Madatzim ran a peulah on the different tools the media uses to influence its audience.

Hyde Park, where chanichim get to voice their opinions about machaneh, was followed by basketball, which was the mischak hashavuah.  Later in the evening the Bogrim put on a fantastic oneg.  The theme of the skit was Power Rangers, and they used a great number of diverse media and effects, including dancing, singing, crazy costumes, and off-the-wall humor.

After the oneg, the Galil community walked to the basketball court, where they danced the summer away at the last evening of rikudei am at Galil.  The chanichim anxiously awaited the announcement of who won the Golden Broom, which was awarded to the tzrif that was most consistently clean throughout the summer... the Bogrot!  The Madatzim put their kids to bed for the last time this summer, and a new day began at sunrise.

The roll-in breakfast of cereals and donuts is still a hit, as it has been for more than 14 years. There were many interesting chugim ritzinim this morning, including a discussion about ancient Persia and another on the politics of the Olympic games.  Today was quite relaxing, and after dinner we had our last musicale of the summer, as well.

Following musicale we had havdallah, and for those of you who are unaware, the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'av started this evening and lasts until tomorrow evening.  Tisha B'Av commemorates the destruction of both temples in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E and 70 C.E. During Tisha B'Av we discuss many issues, including anti-Semitism.  Tomorrow is a laid back day involving more serious peulot and reflection about ourselves, Judaism, and our history.

Laila tov,

Alon

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

peulot - activity

shichva - age group

chanichim - campers

machaneh - camp

mischak hashavuah - game of the week

oneg - Shabbat skit

rikudei am - folk dancing

chugim ritzinim - serious interest groups

tzrif - cabin

musicale - musical performance activity during Shabbat

havdallah - end-of-Shabbat ritual

T'sha B'av - Jewish holiday on the 9th day of the month of Av

We've got ruach, yes we do, we've got ruach, how 'bout you?!

The Bogrim left for the JRF frisbee tournament this morning.  They went bearing tie-dye shirts and tons of ruach, and wowed the other machanot teams with their cheers and games.  They managed to come in second place in the tournament overall, but guess what!  They brought home first place in ruach!  Yeah Bogrim!

For Pish this morning the Sayarim went on a special tikkun olam project of their own.  They rode the bus down to a local elderly home and spent time with the residents, making crafts and singing songs.  When they got back they discussed how they felt about community service and how it relates to their own bar/bat mitzvahs coming up.  Traditionally many b'nei mitzvah do projects in the community, and the Sayarim discussed why they do their projects and what meaning it has for them.

The Bonim went on ropes today, the last shichva to climb up in the trees this summer.  Since there are only a few second-sessioners, they had a tranquil but pleasant day on the Incline Log, Catwalk, Heebie Jeebie, and Zip Line.

For tochnit erev the Galil community took a trip down to Atlantic City to enjoy a night at the casinos.  We had all kinds of fun enjoyment, including a massage station, popcorn, card games, and even a live jazz band made up of some of the madrichim!  They were very satisfied with the night, and now we're all ready for tomorrow, the beginning of the last Shabbat this summer.

Laila tov,

Alon

ruach - spirit (and wind)

machanot - camps

Pish - peulat shichva (age group activity)

tikkun olam - fixing the world

shichva - age group

tochnit erev - evening program

I don't like Green Eggs & Ham!

After enjoying a fun-filled yom meyuchad, the chanichim went to bed expecting a normal day.  The Bogrim were even set to play in a Jewish camp frisbee tournament.  But of course, more surprises ensued, and at the beginning of sports the Bogrim burst out in the chanting of "Kick them out!", signaling the start of their Bocoup (Bocoup is a combination of the words Bogrim and "coup," the French word for revolution).  The Bocoup is similar to the Madatz revolution, except instead of the Madatz the Bogrim get to run a half-day of activities for the rest of machaneh with the help of the Bonim.

The theme of the Bogrim's Bocoup was Dr. Seuss, and what better way to start off the day with a butter battle?  For lunch they had pasta and salad, and afterwards butter was strewn about!  Afterwards the kids participated in a fantastic round robin full of various games, including races and a Lorax tree hunt.  Then they moved on to a carnival that included reading Dr. Seuss stories and wet sponge toss.

Before dinner the kids had to navigate through the biggest and most elaborate maze the machaneh has ever seen.  Afterwards they partied the night away at the mesibah, where they played "Whack-a-Thing-1-&-2" and balancing food.  The kids had an amazing time, and the Bogrim had some great costumes throughout the day, as well.  Tomorrow the Bogrim will bring their ruach to the frisbee tournament that they're actually playing in (it's not a cover for a second Bocoup--no worries!).  Good luck, Bogrim!

Laila tov,

Alon

yom meyuchad - special day

chanichim - campers

Madatz - counselor-in-training

machaneh - camp

mesibah - party

ruach - spirit (and wind)

We Won't Grow Up

This morning started with a hoda'ah the chanichim were not used to hearing. "Put on your pirates outfit to meet Captain Hook," is how the machaneh was awoken this morning. It was yom meyuchad with a Peter Pan theme. At hitkansut boker, we raised the flag of our pirate ship and pledged allegiance to Captain Hook.

After breakfast, the chanichim went to pirate skill where they learned valuable skills relating to pirate's vernacular, pirate's wardrobe and pirate's treasure seeking. But the pirate's dominance was short lived, as mid-way through the day Peter Pan and the Lost Boys made their appearance convincing the chanichim that looting and pillaging was not the only way. With inspiration from Wendy and Tinkerbell, they could think happy thoughts and have fun.

Other activities included a pirates vs. Lost Boys kickball game, as well as a trip to the mermaid lagoon for swimming. Nighttime brought a life-size game of Candyland as everyone was broken down into teams working towards winning as much candy as possible.

It was a fun and tiring day filled with colorful characters, new outfits for all and plenty of "Y'ar matees" to fill up a pirate ship.

B'shalom,

Josh

hoda'ah - announcement

chanichim - campers

machaneh - camp

yom meyuchad - special day

hitkansut boker - morning gathering

Motion To Blog

Machaneh was made privy to Habonim Dror's legislative process today. The Madatzim were given the opportunity to design and run a tochnit erev. They chose to introduce chanichim to the process which is veida. Veida is a session that meets every other year, where Habonim Dror members from all over North America meet to discuss policies and practices of the movement, and to advocate for or against various suggested changes.

The chanichim were given the opportunity to propose changes and have them discussed by the entire machaneh. It was a great exercise in public speaking, debate and analyzing the policies which affect the Galil world around them.

The Tzofim had their own excitement before this evening's veida, as they completed the high ropes course, zipping down the zip line, and walking across the heebeegeebees and the tight rope situated 30 feet off the ground below.

Before writing out their proposed changes at veida, the Sayarim were given the opportunity to express themselves in writing as they participated in an activity we call "Postman." During this, chanichim write out their feelings about the summer, their madrichim and fellow chanichim, and then have the option to have these letters delivered to the subject of their writings.

The Bonim discussed and celebrated their successful Aliyah Bet they ran in the early morning, while the Bogrim had a special ultimate frisbee practice to gear up for a four-camp tournament in which they will be participating later this week.

B'shalom,

Josh

machaneh - camp

madatzim - counselors in training

tochnit erev - evening activity

chanichim - campers

madrichim - counselors

Welcome to Palestine!

Yesterday morning the Galil community was thrilled to leave for our day of tikkun olam.  For a few years now we have decided to devote our day to the JRA, the Jewish Relief Agency.  Once a month volunteers line up inside the JRA warehouse and pack up a variety of canned goods assembly-line-style to be distributed to needy Jewish families in the Greater Philadelphia area.  This amazing organization started eight years ago with only three volunteers, but it has grown enormously with the participation of over 500 volunteers every month, and the organization of the loading and routes is quite astounding.

Donning our chultzot and Galil shirts, we arrived full of energy and our now renowned ruach and began to move the boxes down the line like hot potatoes.  All the while we sang our Galil songs at the top of our lungs.  Along with the other volunteers, we loaded almost 14 1/2 tons of food.  After loading the food, we hopped aboard the busses which took us to our delivery destinations, and small groups of chanichim knocked on doors to deliver the boxes of food to the families in need.

All in all it was a great experience, and the kids could really see the direct impact of their work of the day.  Tochnit erev was l'fi shichva, and the Amelim sat around the midurah and took turns telling campfire stories.  The Tzofim had a movie night and watched Step Up 2, relaxing after a long day.

After all the kids went to bed, the Bonim went into action.  Every summer the Bonim plan and run Aliyah Bet, where they lead the younger chanichim through the woods while recreating Aliyah Bet, the illegal immigration to British-mandated Palestine by Jews during the Second World War.  Madrichim and Madatzim were positioned throughout the woods to create sound effects, pose as soldiers, or to help the olim.  The Bonim woke the kids and together with the Bogrim led them through the different routes to end up in Palestine, where they were greeted with celebration, foods, and hot chocolate.  Everyone, including the Bonim, were relieved to finally retire for the night, and enjoyed a well-deserved sleep-in.

L'hitraot,

Alon

tikkun olam - fixing the world

chultzot - movement shirts

ruach - spirit (and wind)

chanichim - campers

tochnit erev - evening program

l'fi shichva - by age group

midurah - bonfire

madrichim - counselors

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

olim - immigrants to Israel

Welcoming Shabbat

The Amelim got their chance to open Shabbat for the machaneh yesterday. They performed a Hebrew and English song they spent peulah shichvah learning. Additionally, they showed us an Israeli dance they had practiced.

We welcomed the machaneh guests during kabbalat Shabbat singing and had a delicious traditional Friday night dinner. After dinner, the Tzofim presented their oneg, a play they wrote earlier in the week. Following it, we quickly moved to the basketball court for rikud and the Golden Broom presentation, where the Bonot were rewarded for having the cleanest tzrif this week.

Shabbat chugim this morning gave the chanichim an opportunity to learn about the social development of dialects of English as well as to discuss appreciation of the musician Steven Reich.

The evening brought the chanichim a rousing set of music at musicale. The Amelim continued their leading of machaneh this Shabbat by leading the havdallah service. Luckily the rain held out for medurah.

We're looking forward to the return of the Bogrim, who have been away from machaneh for two days to visit their fellow kvutsah at Machaneh Na'aleh, the Habonim Dror camp for the New York region.

Shavua Tov,

Josh

machaneh - camp

peulah - activity

shichvah - age group

rikud - dancing

tzrif - cabin

chugim - interest groups

chanichim - campers

medurah - bonfire

kvutsah - group

Time Travel

Today the Madatzim continued their revolution of time travel. They stayed up late last night preparing a gourmet breakfast of crepes and fresh fruit for the chanichim. Afterwards, everyone was transported to pre-historic times, where chanichim had to catch roaming woolly mammoths. From there, everyone received a taste of the Wild West, Industrial Revolution, Renaissance, Atlantis and even reenacted the Trojan Horse

Territorial battle ensued after lunch with a game of capture the flag. This quickly transformed into the Viking age, sailing the rocky seas of the machaneh slip-'n-slide. Later on, chanichim had to earn their way through different time periods by manipulating their way through an obstacle course. Times turned medieval with chanichim putting on a jousting and fencing show for the king and queen.

Chanichim thought their day was complete with a pirate-themed mesibah, but the Madatzim had other plans up their sleeve. Everyone was brought to the brecha where the kicked out madrichim awaited what we call Crime and Punishment. The Madatzim have the madrichim line up around the brecha and one by one read out a crime for which the Madatzim believe the madrich should be charged. Personally, I was guilty of having too great a moustache. After the madrichim are convicted of the charges, they are forced to accept their punishment, walking the plank into the brecha in whatever clothes they were unlucky enough to wear at the time. 

The entire day was a whirlwind of traveling for all, and ultimately led to a very restful sleep back in their present day tzrifim.

B'shalom,

Josh

Madatzim - counselors in training

chanichim - campers

machaneh - camp

mesibah - party

brecha - pool

madrichim - counselors

tzrifim - cabins

The Big Bang!

Any onlooker would call today the Wednesday of variety.  It was jam-packed with crazy Pishim, field trips, peace treaties, and even the beginning of the universe!

This morning the Sayarim had an amazing peulah about youth movements in history.  Each madrich played the part of a member of a youth movement, including a member of Dror (the movement that united with Habonim), one of Hanoar HaOved (Habonim's sister movement in Israel), a hippie, and a hip-hop artist.

The Chotrim were surprised with a field trip to the local Wegman's, where they walked around as they and the madrichim discussed how to read nutrition labels, the detriments of packaging, and healthy eating choices.

The Bonim returned from their tiyul tired but satisfied, and they even ran into some Israelis along their journey.  Meanwhile for chugim the Mythbusters watched a few segments on the internet of the professionals hard at work and diligently noted any potential myths to be tested right here at machaneh.

This evening the Galil community broke off into competing countries for the most intense game of Capture the Flag the kikar has ever seen!  Dressed in different colors to differentiate the nationalities, the chanichim ran from territory to territory searching for flags while defending their own.  In the end, of course, we had to end with rap battles between the different countries, after which we all decided peace was much more preferable to war and signed a magnificent peace treaty that will go down in the history of Galil treaties.

And even more surprises!  After the chanichim went to bed, the Madatzim woke the kids up with a loud Bang! to signal the start of their revolution!  Madatz Revolution is a time when the Madatzim have the opportunity to run their own activities for an entire day.  Their theme is Travel Through Time, and tomorrow the kids will see what they have in store.

Laila tov,

Alon 

Pishim - peulat shichva (age group activity)

peulah - activity

madrich - counselor

tiyul - hiking trip

chugim - interest groups

machaneh - camp

kikar - field

chanichim - campers

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

Drum drum drum, all day long

Today Galil became the world's biggest drum circle.  Well, at least the biggest in Bucks County.  Bishara Nadaf, an Israeli-Arab percussionist, runs percussion activities to promote multicultural understanding, and at Galil he gave every kvutsah their own lesson on darboukas, a Middle Eastern drum.  He incorporated Arab, Hebrew, and English words in his lessons, and the kids were enthralled.  Aywah!

The Bonim left for tiyul this morning, and though they missed the drumming, they will get to make their own fire and have smores.  They'll be back tomorrow, so don't worry.

For Pish the Sayarim went to the Melechet Yad, where they discussed their identities and drew outlines of themselves, filling in their values and interests.  During chugim The A.C. Experience made plaster casts of their feet, and soon they will be finishing up their life-sized mobiles.

At tochnit erev the kids got to walk down the red carpet for the Hagshama Awards.  Amid flash photography from the paparazzi, the chanichim put on songs, skits, drawings, and dances representing the way they do hagshama both at Galil and out.  In the end, of course, kol Machaneh Galil won the award, since in the end we are all magshimim!  After rad hayom we went to sleep, ready for the new day.

Laila tov,

Alon

aywah! - yea! (in Arabic)

tiyul - overnight trip

Pish - peulat shichva (age group activity)

melechet yad - art room

chugim - interest groups

tochnit erev - evening activity

hagshama - actualization

chanichim - campers

kol - all

magshimim - actualizers

rad hayom - fall of the day (a Hebrew lullaby)

Kupa Trip

It was a magical day at Galil. At noon, machaneh heard the ringing of the bell seven times which means we're having a fire drill. Though today's drill immediately led into a revolution, a Madatz revolution, that is. The madrichim were removed of their machaneh duties, leaving the Madatzim to run the show. It didn't last long however, as this was all a rouge leading into our kupa trip.

After a Madatz led lunch, the chanichim were led to the parking lot where buses were waiting to whisk them away. Our first destination was a nearby bowling alley waiting to be overrun by Machaneh Galil. Bowling scores were high, and everyone's spirits were even higher.

Following bowling, we moved to nearby Westminster Community Park and had our barbecue dinner. There was a bit of time to play on the neighboring playground before it was time to travel to our final destination. A bowling and dinner excursion isn't complete without a movie to round out the evening. Machaneh had their choice of Wall-E, Batman, X-Files and Mama Mia. Following the flicks, we returned to machaneh, enjoyed some milk and cookies for kibud, and called it a super great day.

B'shalom,
Josh


machaneh - camp
madatz - counselor in training
madrichim - counselors
chanichim - campers
kibud - snack

Bagels and lox and whitefish oh my!

Muffins to end the regular week on Fridays and bagels to start it, what could be better?  After enjoying the traditional Sunday breakfast, for Pish the Amelim walked through the woods and encountered madrichim portraying endangered species, including monkeys, gorillas, parrots, and elephants, and afterwards discussed the issues concerning them.

Along the way they also passed by the high ropes course, where they saw another type of monkey.  The ones on the high ropes of course!  Like the first sessioners, the Bogrim of second session had the opportunity to swing from the ropes, including the zip line and monkey tails.  We finished almost the whole course, and we witnessed a relaxing thunderstorm while eating aruchat tzohorayim.

The Chotrim received their special friends during Pish today.  Special friends do nice and awesome things for others, like art projects and cards, while their identities remain a mystery until the end of the session.  Each person is assigned someone else so everyone can feel special!

Tonight was Erev Gender, and it began with a multimedia museum in the refet that involved many exhibits, including a stereotypical guy and girl room, a short video commercial on photo editing and distortion of the concept of beauty, and familiar teen magazines.  The chanichim really responded well to it, and they became very engaged in discussions afterwards about society and the concept of beauty both inside and outside of machaneh.

Tomorrow will be a magnificent day of surprises for all.  Get pumped!

Laila tov,

Alon

madrichim - counselors

Pish - peulat shichva (age group activity)

aruchat tzohorayim - lunch

erev - evening

refet - barn

chanichim - campers

Another Saturday Night

This morning the Galil community was treated to a sleep-in as per every Saturday, complete with cereal and donuts for breakfast.  Afterwards every shichva had Zman Tzrif, a chill time for the shchavot to have together.

The chanichim also partook in various chugim ritzinim on momentous topics such as Understanding Cognitive Science, the IDF, MBI (the Habonim post-10th grade Israel program), and others.  The Madatzim ran a fantabulous jeopardy game for the kids for their weekly machaneh-wide peulah.

We listened to a pleasant musicale (weekly musical performance time) this evening while the sun set, and shared in the candle lighting, spices, and grape juice of havdallah.  Afterwards we warmed ourselves by the midurah as we watched kids and madrichim alike perform skits for the amusement of all.  Tomorrow the Galil week starts anew, and there are many surprises in store.

Laila tov,

Alon and Brian

shichva - age group

chanichim - campers

Zman Tzrif - Bunk Time

chugim ritzinim - serious interest groups

machaneh - camp

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

fantabulous - supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

peulah - activity

havdallah - Shabbat closing ceremony

midurah - bonfire

Shabbat Shalom, Machaneh Galil

The chanichim can count on Friday as the start to the traditions of the Shabbat weekend, and the first one is the muffins at aruchat boker.  Top of the muffin to you!

After a hardcore cleaning of the tzrifim, the Madatzim ran their Friday peulot for their kids.  The Amelim went on a tour of Israel, and each place around machaneh was another stop on the tour.  For one station the chanichim got to help with making their own pitot at the Bedouin tents.

At Friday shira each kvutsah sings as energetically as possible in order to get called first to eat pizza at aruchat tzohorayim.  After shira there is Hyde Park, where the kids strut their stuff up to the tire in the middle for the right to voice their opinions about things around machaneh.

With the Tzofim gone on tiyul still, machaneh felt somewhat empty, but a few hours later they joined us just in time for the start of mishpachot.  Mishpachot is a time where siblings at machaneh reunite together and tell stories, read passages, and share the best parts of their week.  Today's discussion centered around the Beatles song "We Can Work It Out."

This week the Chotrim put on their oneg Shabbat, the weekly play that includes characters from the Galil community.  It's always a load of fun.  Then came the highlight of many people's week: rikudei am!  We all headed to the basketball court and danced the night away to both old Israeli folk songs and newer ones as well.  In the middle we took a break to see the Amelot/Chotrot win the Golden Broom, the coveted prize for the most clean tzrif around machaneh.  The night finished with the Madatzim putting their chanichim to bed, and this morning we look forward to the weekly sleep-in on Shabbat.

Laila tov,

Alon

chanichim - campers

aruchat boker - breakfast

tzrifim - cabins

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

peulot - activities

machaneh - camp

pitot - a Middle Eastern flatbread

shira - singing

kvutsah - group

aruchat tzohorayim - lunch

mishpachot - families

oneg Shabbat - Shabbat play

rikudei am - folk dancing

Sunshine Day

It was a beautiful day at machaneh. The Tzophim started it nice and early, leaving for their two day tiyul before breakfast.

The Alexander Calder Experience chug is underway. Chanichim who joined the A.C. Experience are making plaster molds of their entire bodies. By the end of the summer, each chaniach will have a complete mold of him/herself to hang up for all of machaneh to see.

The Bonim enjoyed a Kung Fu fondue evening, playing machaneh's favorite game, "Kung Fu," watching a Kung Fu flick on our projector, and enjoying a variety of fondue. They are also in the midst of planning Aliyah Bet, where they lead the entire machaneh at night to "Palestine."

The Bogrim took a step away from machaneh today to be with themselves for Yom Bogrim. They are looking forward to seeing how their tye-dyed shirts and aprons come out tomorrow. The Chotrim wrote up and signed their own personal contract for how to live amongst the rest of their kvutsah.

B'shalom, 

Josh

machaneh - camp

tiyul - trip

chug - activity

chaniach - camper

yom - day

kvutsah - group

Singing In The Geshem

Second session was greeted today with the gift of water from above. Continuous water from above this afternoon didn't rain on our parade though.

The Bonim used their first peulah shichvah of the session to bring in the maarach of the week, Israel. They went over the history of the state pre-1948, while the Amelim received their first instructional swim lesson (pre-rainstorm).

The Bogrim developed their camaraderie by doing the Wall on the ropes course. The Wall requires the chanichim to work together to scale a 15-foot wall using only each's own strength and the help of other chanichim. In their kupah asepha, the Sayarim discussed how they are going to ration the food they receive in packages from home this session. Since they were already on the topic of yummy goods, afterwards they went to the mitbach to bake cookies.

B'shalom,

Josh

geshem - rain

peulah - activity

shichvah - age group

maarach - theme

chanichim - campers

kupah - common goods

asepha - discussion

mitbach - kitchen

Welcome to Second Session!

On Sunday we said goodbye to first session, and Machaneh Galil became the haunt of the seven-weekers, the chanichim staying the whole summer.  The Madatzim entertained the chanichim with exciting peulot, including putting together a folk festival with music, while the tzevet worked hard at planning all kinds of fun peulot and surprises to make the remainder of the summer fantastic.

By the end of the two day intersession, the seven-weekers were ready to greet the new kids.  But what would machaneh be without avodah?  The madrichim and seven-weekers cleaned up machaneh for the arrival of the second-sessioners, and the new chanichim were greeted with fun games for each schichva run by the tzvatim k'tanim, including "A Strong Wind Blows" and "Bang," two popular name games.

For the tochnit erev, everyone went to the refet to see skits about the new chugim of the session.  A few of them include Life Skills, where kids learn important skills like juggling and cooking; Gan Fun, working and playing in the garden; Soapstone Carving; and Mythbusters, where kids take common myths and either confirm or bust'em.  We ended the evening like most, by getting into a ma'agal and singing a lullaby called Rad Hayom.  Before the kids went to bed they chose their chugim and anafim, the different jobs they do during avodah like briut and ashpa.

It is hard to believe that it's already Wednesday and there are only two days until the first Shabbat of second session.  We're looking forward to it.

L'hitraot,

Alon

machaneh - camp

chanichim - campers

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

peulot - activities

intersession - the days in between first and second session

avodah - work

tzevet - staff

schichva - age group

tzvatim k'tanim - small staffs (for each age group)

tochnit erev - evening activity

refet - barn

chugim - interest groups

gan - garden

ma'agal - circle

rad hayom - fall of the day

anafim - branches

Intersession

It was an emotional day at Galil, as we said goodbye to those leaving us after first session. After last minute avodah and nikayon tzrif, the entire machaneh saw off those moving on to other summer kef.

The better part of the day was spent in downtime mode, with plenty of chofesh and movies to watch in the refet. This afternoon marked the beginning of every chaniach's favorite game. Each chaniach is assigned to another and is required to sneak up upon and surprise him/her with a verbal, "Go Get 'em Tiger!" It sounds encouraging, but this seemingly innocent phrase marks the end of someone's time in the game until next year.

After dinner the Madatzim began their running of intersession with Madatz chugim. Some chugim included "Name That Tune" featuring live music. The special treat for the chanichim was when the madrichim revealed who will be working with each shichvah this session. Second session is shaping up and we're excited for the new chanichim to arrive in less than two days!

B'shalom, 

Josh

avodah - work

nikayon tzrif - cabin cleaning

kef - fun

chofesh - free time

refet - barn

chaniach - camper

Madatzim - counselors in training

chugim - interest groups

madrichim - counselors

shichvah - age group

Out With A Bang

The final Shabbat of first session started with a special selection of chugim. Today's choices ranged from creative writing to talking about the book, "How To Win Friends And Influence People," to discussing the media's role in creating self image.

The Madatz and Bogrim ran afternoon activities such as turning machaneh into a big slip and slide and hosting a series of tug of war battles. Afterwards, all exercise was rewarded with a dip in the brecha during schiya chofsheet.

Musicale was longer than usual today as many chanichim wanted to get in their last musical performances of first session. The Bogrim completed their turn as Shabbat leaders by leading us in havdalah and then down to the fire pit for medurah.

The shchavot then took some time amongst themselves to give gifts to those leaving us at the end of first session tomorrow. To celebrate a great four weeks, the machaneh then joined together for a costume mandatory final mesibah. There were special treats and great dancing for all.

We look forward to seeing those leaving us tomorrow at local ken events throughout the year including at fall seminar in September! The Madatzim will be running the next two days of machaneh, as the madrichim will be hard at work planning a great 2nd session.

B'shalom,

Josh

chugim - activities

machaneh - camp

brecha - pool

schiya chofsheet - free swim

chanichim - campers

medurah - bonfire

shchavot - age groups

mesibah - party

madatzim - counselors in training

madrichim - counselors

Galil Is Hot Hot Hot

It was a balmy day here at machaneh, which always means one thing - mayim mayim mayim! With the temperature approaching the mid-90's, we turned our normally brecha-free Friday into a schiya chofsheet swimfest. 

After the morning's session of avodah and nikayon tzrif, the chanichim were privy to another peulah run by the Madatzim. Our shira session was all the more enthusiastic as shchavot sang their voices out to earn the right to be the next shichvah to go get pizza for lunch.

The chanichim utilized today's meeting at Hyde Park to publicly voice their individual opinions, thoughts, and concerns about machaneh to the entire group of chanichim and madrichim. It's great to see each child's ability to speak in front of 200 people progress from week to week. Our afternoon was filled with basketball, the mischak hashavua, and the aforementioned schiya chofsheet.

The evening calmed down, as we prepared for Shabbat, sitting in discussion groups with our friends and family members at machaneh talking about Judaism and our week.  Afterwards we lowered the Israeli and American flags at hitkansut erev and sung the songs we reserve for Shabbat: "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem, and "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie.  We enjoyed watching the Bogrim dance and sing for kabbalat Shabbat and ate our collective fills at Friday night dinner, which included challot homemade by the Madatzim.

During the week the Sayarim worked hard on writing their very own oneg, and the performance was a treat for all.  Afterwards we took our weekly stroll to the basketball court, where we danced the night away at rikudei am, which includes both old Israeli folk songs and newer material.  Of course we all gathered together for the Golden Broom ceremony, where the schichva with the cleanest tzrif and coolest decorations is awarded the machaneh-renowned Golden Broom for one whole week.  At the end of a long and fulfilling night the Madatzim had the opportunity to put their kids to bed.  Laila tov, Machaneh Galil!

B'shalom,

Josh and Alon

machaneh - camp

brecha - swimming pool

schiya chofsheet - free swim

avodah - work

nikayon tzrif - cabin cleaning

chanichim - campers

peulah -activity

Madatz - counselors in training

shira - singing

shchavot - age groups

madrichim - counselors

mischak hashavua - game of the week

hitkansut erev - flag lowering

kabbalat Shabbat - welcoming of Shabbat

oneg - skit/play (performed on Friday nights)

rikudei am - folk dancing

tzrif - cabin

laila tov - good night

Whodunit?

For our last regular day today the madrichim pulled out all the stops for their peulot.  The Bonim played all sorts of water games, including one where the kids have to guess the animal the madrich is thinking of.  The kids didn't know it, but if they got it right, they would get a pitcher of water dumped on their head!  A perfect game for a hot day.

Later on the Madatzim returned from their trip to Machaneh Moshava for Madatz Mifgash.  They enjoyed themselves immensely and participated in a whole variety of peulot.  The Madatzim also had a service learning project: they cleaned out invasive plant species in a park in East Baltimore to prevent the park from getting overgrown with weeds.  They discussed how it takes time to build a trusting relationship with a community but also how important that relationship is.

After enjoying a Moroccan-themed dinner, the machaneh was swept up into its very first Murder Mystery.  One of the madrichim ran into the refet yelling about witnessing the dastardly crime, and at that moment two inspectors appeared and showed the chanichim their secret footage they taped over the last week.  The kids split up into small investigative teams and went around machaneh questioning the six suspects and examining evidence, including the crime scene itself and the recycling bins where the victim's water bottle was spotted.  So many turns and twists, and in the end more footage was recovered and the murderer was revealed! He was escorted in handcuffs by the kids towards the brecha, as what better punishment than to throw him into the pool?  The kids had an amazing time, and we wrapped it all up with our last rad hayom of the session before we welcome Shabbat tomorrow evening.

Laila tov,

Alon

madrich - counselor

Madatz - counselor-in-training

mifgash - meet up

refet - barn

chanich - camper

brecha - pool

rad hayom - the lullaby we all sing at the end of the night together (lit. "fall of the day")

Bruchim Haba'im l'Yisrael!

Translation: Welcome to Israel, folks!  Yesterday Machaneh Galil was transported magically to the land of milk and honey.  Except miniaturized.  The day started out with a live stream of the popular Israeli radio station GalGalatz, followed by a kibbutz-style breakfast with Shakshouka, an Israeli dish composed of peppers, tomatoes, and eggs.  Afterwards we had a round robin with stations based loosely on tasks one would have at an old-fashioned kibbutz, such as mail-sorting and painting a mural.  Achla!

To cool off and rejuvenate, we had a glorious mud fight with Dead Sea mud, famous for its healing properties.  After rinsing off we went to lunch, where we ate chummus dishes, pita, and falafel, staple dishes as any Israeli will tell you.

Soccer matches are always fun, but kadur regel matches are even more so.  The kids were split into different Israeli soccer teams and faced off, foot on foot.  The games got pretty intense, and everyone had plenty of kef.  After the soccer match we had a parade that led into a Purim carnival of sorts, with stations such as "Anything for Hamentaschen!" and a homemade version of the Israeli snack called Milki, chocolate pudding with whipped cream on top.

The tone became more mellow in the late afternoon, where each schichva discussed development towns and their issues. Development towns are Jewish settlements built in the 1950s which fare very poorly economically and have many immigrants from Arab countries. Afterwards we had a tekes masuot, a ceremony where each schichva shared thoughts about their hopes for the coming year.

In the evening we brought all the kids to Eilat, where they had a fantastic pool party featuring Israeli party music.  After such a long and kef-filled journey, it was time to return back to Galil and get some rest.  We're all super excited for our final regular day of first session on Thursday. Laila tov, readers.

L'hitraot,

Alon

achla! - cool!

kadur regel - football (soccer for you Americans)

kef - fun

tekes - ceremony

l'hitraot - see you later

Bozman

With the Madatz away, it was time for the Bogrim to play. This evening the Bogrim took over machaneh for tochnit erev we call Bozman (zman Bogrim). They sent the madrichim away while they, with the help of the Bonim, ran a round robin of fun events including a dance party on our grassy knoll. The Bogrim had been planning this take over for a week, staying up late the night before to bake brownies and prepare fruit shish kebabs for all the chanichim. It was a new experience for all involved, planning a machaneh wide activity from start to finish and implementing the program for the 120 other chanichim.

Earlier in the day, the Tzophim finished their tour of the ropes course, while the Amelim planned out how they are going to paint the tree bench that lives right outside their tzrif.

In chug soapstone, the chanichim are well along on their way towards creating their imaginations into rock formation. Chug dirty fun is midway through their week of catching unsuspecting tzevet members (ahem, me) off-guard, surprising and dousing them with globs of mud, mayo and liquid soap.

We are happy to welcome back the Chotrim from their two day tiyul of hiking and sleeping under the stars in tents.

B'shalom,
Josh

machaneh - camp
tochnit erev - evening activity
zman - time
chanichim - campers
tzrif - cabin
chug - acitivity
tzevet - staff
tiyul - trip

Tiyul and Ropes and Mifgash, oh my!

Despite all the excitement of parents, food, and Zap yesterday, there were all sorts of things going on today in Galil land.  The Chotrim awoke early this morning to leave for their overnight tiyul to Ricketts Glen State Park, and the Tzofim were introduced to the high ropes course for the first time in their machaneh careers, and they were absolutely thrilled.  Even the wet weather didn't deter them from enjoying themselves.  They traversed the Incline Log, Catwalk, and Heebie Jeebie, not to mention Galil's renowned zip line.

In Pish the Bonim discussed the idea of holy places and homeland and its importance in both American and Israeli culture.  The Amelim talked about whether the individuals in a community need to have things in common.

Today the Madatzim left for Madatz Mifgash at Machaneh Moshava in Maryland, where Madatzim from five machanot will meet from Monday through Thursday to have peulot on national movement issues and learn about what the Madatzim are doing at the other machanot.  With both the Madatzim and Chotrim gone, machaneh feels a bit empty, so we are looking forward to the Chotrim's return from their tiyul tomorrow.

Laila tov,

Alon

tiyul - trip/hike

Pish - peulat shichva (group activity)

Madatz - counselor-in-training

mifgash - meetup

peulot - activities

Zap!

Zap. Go Back! No we're not making reference to the parents going home at the end of visiting day today. We're only talking about the most anticipated tochnit erev of the summer. But we'll get to that in a moment.

As you know and probably experienced, today was visiting day! We spent the morning doing our usual avodah to prepare for the day. Afterwards, it was all about you! We hope you enjoyed spending the afternoon at machaneh and were able to meet some of your children's madrichim. Better yet, we hope you enjoyed the icebreakers that they put together for you and the chanichim.

So we saw all our family and friends. How do we cram even more excitement into the day? Only with the greatest night time Galil game ever created...ZAP! Zap is a game of twilight espionage. We teach the chanichim how to move invisibly under the dark of night, give them a map of machaneh, and challenge them to make it to the other side without the stealthily hidden madrichim spotting them and saying, "Zap Go Back!" Only the most sneaky and strategically inclined of chanichim can dream of reaching the goal unzapped. This evening's match was even greater than expected, as some of the Amelim were sly enough to successfully complete the course.

Still dressed in camoflauge, we calmed down from our jam-packed day with our goodnight lullaby of rad hayom.

B'shalom,

Josh

tochnit erev - evening activity

avodah - work

machaneh - camp

madrichim - counselors

chanichim - campers

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat is about to fall upon us at Machaneh Galil. Chanichim and madrichim have spent extra time today cleaning and preparing for our day of rest.

The mischak hashavua today was ultimate frisbee. Dozens of chanichim came with their best backhands, forehands and hammer throws to attempt to defeat the madrichim. In the end, we finished in a typical Habonim Dror tie.

This afternoon at shirah, machaneh learned the song which we will perform for you in less than 48 hours! We look forward to seeing you, our family and friends for the afternoon come Sunday.

Shabbat Shalom, 

Josh

machaneh - camp

tzrifim - bunks

chanichim - campers

madrichim - counselors

mischak hashavu - game of the week

shirah - singing

Grand Ole Time

It was technically a yom ragil at machaneh, but there was much out of the ordinary. Today, we were fortunate to have a presenter lead us through the slideshow behind An Inconvenient Truth. All chanichim were made privy to much of the science and studies that have led to many of the leading theories on global climate change. At the end of the presentation, the chanichim were shown many ways to lessen their own global impact, and offered up a variety of alternate steps on their own.

Tonight's tochnit erev meyuchedet was the Ottsville State Fair. Our carnival had something for everyone. Events consisted of a Greased Madrich Chase, where chanichim had to catch their oil-slathered madrichim. We also had our very own version of NASCAR racing on the kikar. Surely no Galil carnival is complete without pie eating contests, dunk tanks, hayrides and even the chance to arm wrestle your favorite madrich. The evening ended with a live performance by our very own Banjo Boys Choir, complete with authentic southern-style state fair music.

B'shalom,

Josh

yom ragil - regular day

machaneh - camp

chanichim - campers

tochnit erev - evening activity

meyuchedet - special

madrich - counselor

kikar - field

Revolution - this time for real!

Today the madatzim started a revolution to the tune of the infamous song by the Beatles. After kicking all the madrichim out of machaneh at Hitkansuit Boker, they ran a fun-filled day of Beatles-themed activities. They including a Hippy-esque street fair, a magical mystery tour and a party and live concert that rivaled the Beatles' own performances. Even the food went along with the theme. The strawberries were plentiful at breakfast, English scones and tea were served for kibud and the sushi dinner in honor of Yoko Ono was positively delicious.

The chanichim also had the opportunity to watch "Help!" and "Yellow Submarine," two classics that every chaniach should experience before leaving scenic Ottsville, PA. Despite the sporadic rain, a fun day was had by all of the chanichim, and the madatzim can now rest easy knowing that they ran a revolution that was one for the record books.

The madrichim are all anxiously awaiting tomorrow's stories of all of the great activities and meals that they sadly had to miss.

B'shalom,
Jacki

madatzim - counselors in training

madrichim - counselors

machaneh - camp

hitkansut boker - morning flag raising

kibud - snack

chanichim - campers

chaniach - camper

Super Tuesday

Today was the first Yom Cham so far this summer. When it gets so hot chanichim barely want to move, we open the brecha for extended schiya chofsheet. Many took advantage showing off a few extra cannonballs this afternoon.

The Bogrim finished their tour of the ropes course elements today, completing the Giant's Ladder, Catwalk and Incline Log. The Bonim had a peulah where the discussed culture, linguistics and racism as it relates to the standardized testing system. Yes, whoa. The Tzofim had a peulah about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, learning about it through modified game of capture the flag.

The older shchavot enjoyed movie night in the refet while the younger groups partook in treats like shaving cream balloon fights and dancing to "The Age of Aquarius." 

I look forward to tomorrow's post, we definitely have something special up our sleeve to write about.

B'shalom,

Josh

yom cham - hot day

chanichim - campers

brecha - pool

schiya chofsheet - free swim

peulah - activity

shchavot - age groups

refet - barn

Mellifluous Monday

Today was the Sayarim's first day of tiyul. Unfortunately, the plans had to be changed due to inclement weather at the park, Ricketts Glen.  Instead, the Sayarim walked a short nearby tiyul. Have no fear, my friends--their real tiyul has been rescheduled to this Thursday and Friday, and they couldn't be more excited.

At the end of aruchat erev today, a few of the Madatzim gave a chadashot update, including information about the primaries, Israeli news and sports stats.  After the meal, the schavot split up into their kvutsot.  Younger kids were treated to a seret while older kids had tochnit erev l'fi shichvah.  It seems that everyone had a pleasant day, and we look forward to updating you tomorrow!

Laila tov,

Alon

tiyul - trip, outing

tochnit erev - evening activity

l'fi shichvah - by age group

aruchat erev - dinner ("evening meal")

seret - movie

schavot - age groups

kvutsah - group

Two weeks already?

After a relaxing Shabbat, we started the week off right with bagels and cream cheese.  After avodah the Bogrim went out to the high ropes course, scaling elements like the Giant's Ladder and Zip Line.  Sadly, today was the end of the two week session, and we said goodbye to a number of chanichim.  We wish they could have stayed a little bit longer.

For peulat schichva, the Sayarim completed a tension web, where string is tied like a spiderweb between two trees and the whole kvutsah must get each person through a different hole in the web to the other side.  It was challenging, and they really enjoyed it.

This evening we had a special tochnit erev addressing world hunger and consumption. We analyzed what we can do both at machaneh and outside of it to make an impact.  This summer, chanichim have been actively questioning the bizbuz we produce at machaneh, both food and plastic. This tochnit erev stressed the importance of consumption awareness.  They had to fill in the blanks of a "consumption facts quiz" with numbers and percentages posted all around. Afterwards, they learned the answers and illustrated posters of ways we can reduce consumption around machaneh.  Talk about hagshamah!  We ended the evening with our machaneh-wide lullaby, rad hayom.

Laila tov,

Alon

kvutsah - group

peulat shichvah - activity by schichva (age group)

tochnit erev - evening activity

bizbuz - waste

hagshamah - actualization

rad hayom - a lullaby ("fall of the day")

Peaceful Shabbat

Shavua Tov,

The Tzofim opened up Shabbat for the Galil community this week. They sang a Hebrew and English song they had prepared throughout the preceding days, and sprinkled in an Israeli dance for the machaneh to watch.

The Shabbat dinner was packed as the MBI'ers, Galilniks who are heading to Israel for the summer, came to visit. At the oneg after dinner, the Bonim performed a play they had written for our enjoyment.

Rain did not deter our normal Friday night rikud. It also didn't deter the tzophot from earning this week's Golden Broom for having the cleanest tzrif at machaneh.

This morning, madrichim ran chugim that delved into topics such as what's in a name, accomplishments of those who have lost usage of their limbs and the economics of capitalism. In the evening we held our meaningful havdallah service, followed by medurah and the kids' weekly gelidah.

Looking forward to returning to the work week.

B'shalom,

Josh

shavua tov - good week

machaneh - camp

rikud - dancing

tzrif - cabin

madrichim - counselors

chugim - interest groups

medurah - bonfire

gelidah - ice cream

Shabbat Shalom

Hello readers,

This morning we had a sleep-in to begin a relaxing morning after the pleasant but tiring kupa trip yesterday.  On Fridays we have an extended avodah period after breakfast to prepare the machaneh before our day of rest tomorrow on Shabbat.

Also on Fridays the Madatzim have an opportunity to run peulot they planned for their kids.  Some of their other responsibilities include helping tzvatim run some of their peulot and putting their schichva to bed on Friday nights.  Today the Madatzim for the Bonim ran a peulah exploring the various sects of Judaism by means of different kinds of Cheerios.  What a wholesome experience!

After a rousing session of shira where we learned the havdallah songs we sing on Saturday evening, we had our traditional pizza lunch and hosted Hyde Park, where kids can voice their satisfaction or complaints with things at machaneh.  Then we had mischak hashavua, a crazy game of soccer with chanichim versus madrichim.  The kids and madrichim both had a lot of kef, with the speakers blasting wondrous tunes and the Chotrim providing excellent cheerleading performances.  Goooooooooooooal!

Everyone is getting ready for Shabbat starting this evening, and we are excited this weekend to be hosting the chanichim going to Israel on Habonim Dror North America's MBI program this summer.

Shabbat Shalom,

Alon

kupa trip - fun trip outside of machaneh

avodah - work

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

peulot - activities

tzvatim - staffs

shira - singing

havadallah - the end of Shabbat

mischak hashavua - game of the week

kef - fun

Wow What A Day

Shalom,

Today was one of the more memorable days for the Galil community this summer. As we told you, yesterday the Madatz held a fake revolution. Today, they did the unthinkable and held another one for the 2nd consecutive day. The Madatzim had all the chanichim dress up as super villains, complete with wearing bathing suits on the outside of their clothes. This was all a setup for the real excitement of the day, our kupa trip.

The chanichim were directed to the parking lot where buses were waiting for them to board. Our destination...Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom. After a short ride to Allentown, P.A., the chanichim and their madrichim made their way through the park's thrill rides, chill rides and everything in between. Already dressed in their swimming attire, the kids also enjoyed the various water slides and pools. The weather was perfect, and the waiting lines were short as we beat the July 4th rush a day early.

Machaneh calmed down from our day with some dinner and a movie after returning to Galil. It was an exciting and thrilling day for all.

B'shalom,

Josh

madrichim - counselors

chanichim - campers

kupa - community (though technically 'cash register')

machaneh - camp

It Was a Fake!

They say you want a revolution.  And today, readers, that's what the chanichim had, courtesy of the Madatz.  Well almost.  At Galil once a session the Madatzim have the chance to send off the madrichim and run their own themed day, complete with meals and activities.  But they also like to keep the kids on their toes and have "fakes," which start out as revos, but surprise! the madrichim come right back and the day resumes as normal.  Today's fake revo theme was Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and the chanichim enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk before the madrichim emerged from the mitbach.

The Madatzim finished off their day at the high ropes course, while the Sayarim walked on a short trail and talked about their responsibilities to their kvutsah and how it is associated with their becoming B'nei mitzvah.

During chugim the bell was rung seven times, signalling a fire drill, and we are proud to say every person in machaneh arrived at the basketball court and was accounted for in two minutes!  We continued with shira, where we learned a couple of the songs we sing at medurah on Saturday night, such as "Mountain Dew" and "Mercedes Benz."

Tochnit erev was l'fi shichvah, and the Sayarim had a rockin' Bar mitzvah party, the Amelim did tie-dye, and the Bogrim had a chill night of games and relaxing.

Laila tov,

Alon

Madatzim - counselors-in-training

mitbach - kitchen

kvutsah - group

chugim - interest groups

shira - singing

medurah - bonfire

tochnit erev - evening activity

l'fi shichvah - by age group

The land of Galil

Last night on their tiyul, the Amelim enjoyed an incredible evening camping out. They built and performed skits at their very own midurah. Afterwards they ate smores and sang songs. Such little time at machaneh, yet so much ruach!

Today the Madatzim climbed on the high ropes course, swinging down from the zip line and scaling the Giant's Ladder together.  Later this summer the Bogrim and the Tzofim will have their chance to do the ropes elements, as well.

Today at chug Life Skills, the chanichim learned how to make dough and bake pita bread on a fire. At hitkansut erev, the rest of machaneh was happy to hear the Amelim's energetic "kulam po!", signaling their return from a fun and satisfying tiyul.

After a dinner of tacos with fresh salsa and guacamole, the Galil community participated in a tochnit erev of hachshara.  The chanichim went in kvutsot through different stations, learning about aspects of agricultural Judaism such as shmita (the crop rotation in Judaism) and discussing how they would want their own communities to interact with the land.  At the end, the whole machaneh gathered for rad hayom, where we all sing a peaceful lullaby together, and went straight to bed, ready for a new day.

Laila tov,

Alon

tiyul - trip/hike

midurah - bonfire

ruach - spirit

chug - interest group

hitkansut erev - flag lowering

hachshara - training

rad hayom - fall of the day

laila tov - goodnight

Back To Ragil

Our yom meyuchad was wild, and so it was great to get back to normal. The Amelim left this morning to go on tiyul. They started off hiking a trail a short drive from Galil, and spent the remainder of the day gently rafting down the Delaware River.

Plenty of chanichim took advantage of a new sport introduced into the daily lineup, synchronized swimming. They all went down to the pool and did their best routines set to music for lookers-on to watch. No word on whether they are going to Beijing later this summer.

The evening ended with a machaneh-wide karaoke and airband performance. Dozens of groups sang, lip-synced, danced and improvised to their favorite songs. We even had a live instrument folk song performance including violin, guitar and cello.

B'shalom,

Josh

ragil - normal

yom meyuchad - special day

tiyul - trip

chanichim - campers

machaneh - camp

Lost in Galil!

This morning at hitkansut boker the Galil community boarded Flight 815 from Australia to Los Angeles, for today was yom meyuchad. After enjoying a breakfast of chocolate chip and banana pancakes, our flight crashed onto an island, introducing the day's theme of Lost.  

The kids played the part of the pieces in a life-sized game of backgammon, after which they went on a "wild boar chase," running after madrichim dressed as boars.

After lunch great fun ensued as the chanichim searched for their friends in a scavenger hunt. Following a relaxing dip in the natural springs (the brecha), the kids enjoyed a fun carnival filled with all sorts of stations, including constructing shelters, fire building, and of course fishing for candy!

Dinner was a delicious pasta meal, and to celebrate the positive community that we created together on the island, we hosted a grand mesibah with ice cream, cake, and dance music. A fitting end to a great day, and it's back to normal tomorrow for our first yom ragil of the second week.

Goodnight,

Alon

hitkansut boker - flag raising

sheshbesh - backgammon

chanichim - campers

brecha - swimming pool

mesibah - party

yom ragil - regular day

Galil Is Fired Up

Fire has been a large part of the last 24 hours at Galil. As you know, Friday night was our first Shabbat here this summer. We started Shabbat by lighting candles after our pre-meal shira. Last night we ended Shabbat with a meaningful havdalah service complete with our own spice of music and singing (as well as the more traditional spice of cinnamon).

Following havdalah, we had our first medurah this year. The chanichim crafted skits, jokes and a whole lot more to perform for the machaneh. After medurah we went into kumzitz around the fire, complete with guitars, mandolins, African drums and some of the more well known songs kids know from outside machaneh. No medurah would be complete without the traditional bowl of gelidah we all indulge in after the fire. 

Now that machaneh is in the full swing of things, this week brings about the beginning of the loads of surprises the tzevet has in store for first session. We look forward to letting you in on them as the week progresses.

B'shalom,

Josh

shira - singing

medurah - bonfire

chanichim - campers

machaneh - camp

kumzitz - sing-a-long

gelidah - ice cream

tzevet - staff

Shabbat Shalom

The Galil community is looking forward to the first Shabbat of the summer. The rest will be much needed, especially for the Bogrim who just returned from their overnight tiyul the past two days. They went to the Delaware Water Gap, where they hiked and camped as they made s'mores and had a kumzitz around the fire. Even the morning rain couldn't get them down.

Today the Chotrim took an exciting bus-plane tour and learned about the different Habonim Dror machanot around North America and the world. In sadna'ot the Tzofim learned about sustainable communities and even designed their own.

The Madatz are hard at work planning the first Friday night oneg. The oneg is the play written and performed by a different shichvah each week. Our Friday nights are also filled with plenty of Israeli rikud on the basketball court under the twilight, a long-awaited tradition that many chanichim and madrichim alike enjoy for hours on end.

Wishing a Shabbat Shalom to all,

Alon

tiyul - trip

shichvah - age group

machanot - camps

sadna'ot - workshops

rikud - dancing

chanichim - campers

madrichim - counselors/guides

Fending Off The UFO's

Yesterday, the two poles of machaneh were combined. It's AmBo buddy time! AmBo buddies is short for Amelim - Bogrim buddies, where everyone in Amelim, the youngest age group, is grouped with a buddy in Bogrim, the oldest age group. For their peulah they baked delicious chocolate cookies. They have been inseparable ever since.

Richard Simmons aerobics made its debut during sports. We provided the headbands. The kids provided the exuberance. Curly hair optional.

Last night was our first tochnit erev chinuch. The chanichim were split up into groups. Each had to perform an act in our make shift three-ring circus. The acts ranged from mime to dance to contortion to Jewish juggling. The acts were performed to amuse the alien visitors who came in on their UFO's. After the chanichim banded together to entertain our new guests, the aliens decided to leave in peace.

B'shalom, 

Josh

machaneh - camp

peulah - activity

tochnit erev - evening activity

chinuch - education

chanichim - campers

Avodah, Chugim, Sportim, Oh My!

Machaneh is well underway and so far everything is Kef Kef Kef!

Yesterday was the first day the chanichim participated in the chugim they chose the night prior. The chugim this session are quite diverse. They range from making rods and fishing in our creek, to filing down soapstone into crafty artistic shapes, to learning life skills such as how to make eggs.

Sportim are also in full effect as the chanichim selected from their choice of ultimate frisbee, basketball, pilates, swimming, soccer and (extreme!) stretching run by yours truly and Molly Wernick.

All this aforementioned Kef Kef Kef was well earned. We began our day with the first shift of avodah. The kids signed up for various tafkidim to help the camp run smoothly such as cleaning up after breakfast, recycling paper and plastic, helping tend to our gan and helping prepare the day's vegetables for lunchtime salad.

The first tochnit erev of the summer was a blast. The chanichim got a chance to dress up the madrichim in whatever flashy and wild garb they could find. There were makeovers, manicures and oddball hairdos a plenty. 

We're looking forward to more great Kef soon.

B'shalom,

Josh

machaneh - camp

kef - fun

chanichim - campers

chugim - interest groups

sportim - sports

avodah - labor

tafkidim - jobs

gan - garden

tochnit erev - evening activity

madrichim - counselors

First Day of Machaneh

Shalom l'kulam! (Hello everyone!)

We had a wonderful day here at Machaneh Galil. It was filled with wonder, excitement and, of course, parents! We were happy to see so many new faces today with so many new smiles to fill the atmosphere. After the kids all arrived they went with their various schavot (age groups) to play fun-filled games introducing them to their peers and pumping them up for the excitement to come.

Before dinner we gathered at the toren (flagpole) for shira (singing), where we learned some of the great songs of our age: "Banks of Marble" by Pete Seeger and "Techezakna," a Hebrew youth movement song, both of which we sing every evening at hitkansut erev (flag lowering). Dinner was full of song and ruach (spirit), and afterwards the kids watched the tzevet (staff) perform skits introducing the chugim (interest groups) offered this session--from "Life Skills" to "Around the World in 20 Days."

Our long day drew to a close as the madrichim (counselors) put their kids to bed, telling them wonderful stories about the days to come.

Laila tov, readers!
Alon and Brian

Tzevet 2008

We are excited to introduce to you the tzevet (staff) for 2008!

Julia Baum

Leila Rosen

Jonny Quinn

Alon Hafri

Zac Lindenbaum-Grosbard

Tali Slutzky

Stacey Goodman

Sophia Bernstein

Shira Borochov

Shiah Irgang-Laden

Sarah Adams

Sam Datlof

Ruthie Tane

Roie Drory

Or Caspi

Ohad Cadji

Nora Goldfield

Molly Wernick

Nora Chong

Levi Natkins

Lonny Moses

Lev Horowitz

Karmi Oxman

Josh Waimberg

Joanna Zeiger-Guerra

Jillyan Magerman

Jenna Zeigen

Jake Fram

Ilana Goldfus

Ido Gordon

David Rosenberg

Greg Smith

Eve Lifson

Gilad Kaplan

Emily Upton-Davis

Elie Shane

Elan Lindenbaum

Dustin Hellinger

Dara Silbermann

Daniel Cohen

Dillon Hellinger

Anna Yankalev

Adam Itkoff

Adina Teibloom

NOT PICTURED: Roey Nissan, Kali Silverman, Naomi Rosen, Toni Hellman, Asia Laden, Diane Litwin, Brian Cohen, Noah Beresin