Galil Blog
Shalom, Galil families!
Opening day second session was a smashing success! We welcomed dozens of new chanichimot (campers) from near and far, some new and some old. The first to arrive were the shlichimot from Kerem Shalom, a kibbutz in Israel. The bonot (rising 9th graders) waved enthusiastically with homemade signs as the newcomers stepped off the bus.
As more campers arrived, they loaded their belongings into the truck and headed to the mo for check-in. Everyone got lice checked and temperature checked before finding their tzrifim (cabins) and checking out the fun at the mini mo.
At the mini mo, families chose from a wonderful spread of bagels, lox, cream cheeses, shakshuka, fresh fruit, vegetables, pita chips, hummus, and baba ganoush. As they ate, they schmoozed by the hammocks, made fresh pita with Guy, played sports on the kikar, and more. The festivities ended with rikkud (Israeli dancing), which got everyone on their feet!
Once the parents had departed, each kvutzah (age group) played games, went over rules, and got to know each other better. Some groups learned chants specific to their age group to maximize their ruach (spirit), while others guessed fun facts about their tzevet (counselors) through a jeopardy-style game.
Then, they took a guided tour around machaneh (camp) to see all the important buildings and meet the specialists. The stops included the pool, mini mo, gan (garden), marp (infirmary), mitbach (kitchen), and beit o (art room).
The start of a new session meant a new-and-improved version of shira (singing)! Each kvutzah took turns teaching one verse of a song and then we sang it all together. After having learned the song Banks of Marble gush by gush (line by line), they were experts at it by the time hitkansut erev (lowering the flags) came around.
On their way to dinner, chanichimot stopped to pay their respects at the memorial for the recent attack on Majdal Shams. They drew pictures, wrote messages of peace, and wore white ribbons to mourn the dozens of Israeli Druze youth affected.
Tochnit erev (evening activity) featured the chuggim (special interest groups) for this session. Chanichimot had to complete tasks at all 6 stations in order to be invited to the chuggim party, where more action awaited them. Kids jammed out on the drums and guitar, learned to walk on crutches, and discovered the world of soapstone before hitting the hay. Laila tov!