Hello From Camp!

Hello Parents- 

Today is Friday! And that means that the whole machaneh (camp) is getting ready for Shabbat.  As a culturally Jewish camp, we observe Shabbat by having it be a day that is different from the rest of the week.  Our activities are more relaxed and the day gives our campers a nice break from our busy schedule.  

We start off Friday morning with an extra long block of avodah so that the camp is the cleanest it can be, and then we match that with a longer nikayon tzrif (cabin cleaning). 

We have a special activity Friday morning with the Madatz (counselors-in-training), then we learn some songs, leading into a pizza picnic lunch.  After lunch things really switch gears as people shower and change as Shabbat rolls into camp.  On Friday night, after kabbalat shabbat (welcoming the shabbat) we have a fancy dinner followed by rikkud or Israeli Folk Dancing.  Some campers stay at rikud for three whole hours! 

Saturday morning we have a sleep in and a roll-in breakfast.  We have various activities throughout the day, mostly chugim (special interest groups) that campers can choose.  Saturday night is many campers' favorite part of the week!  We start off with with musicale, a time where people can perform musical acts, followed by Havdallah under the stars, then our large medurah (bonfire) where we sing songs and have funny acts.  Finally, campers get to enjoy an ice cream sundae bar before getting ready for bed. 

Shabbat at camp is a magical and relaxing time where we are able to appreciate the community that we work so hard to build during the week.  After this first week at machaneh (camp), we are lucky to take the time and think about the amazing things that have happened together, and getting excited for what is to come. 

I'd also like to wish a few people a happy birthday.  Firstly, Hillary Kurland and Golan Gil-More celebrated their birthdays yesterday at Dutch Springs.  Today is Ella Shatzky's birthday.  Happy Birthday to you all!! 

One more quick reminder-- before you send your camper a package, please check every item for peanuts and tree nuts! Even products that are produced within the same factory cannot be at camp, and we have to confiscate them and remove them from camp property!  You can read more about peanut-free foods in this blog post. 

Shabbat Shalom!! 

Molly Bernstein 

Hello to everyone!! 

Today was an exciting day for us: we had our 1st session out-of-camp trip (which we call kupa trip)!  We went to a place called Dutch Springs, where there is a water park in an old quarry.  In the water there are a variety of trampolines, climbing walls, and other fun activities.  They also have a "sky challenge" which is a fusion of an obstacle course and a high ropes course.  Needless to say, everyone had an amazing time! 

After a long day of fun in the sun (don't worry, we lathered up in sunscreen!) we are back at camp and ready for a relaxing night full of BBQ and a movie.  Tomorrow is Friday, leading into Shabbat, a restful time for everyone at camp.  After today we can all use some rest. 

Check back in tomorrow to hear about how we celebrate Shabbat -- and make sure to check Bunk1 for photos from today!!! 

Lailah Tov, 

Molly Bernstein