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