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