Galil Blog
Galil woke up to a lovely Friday morning, and headed over to the toren (flag pole) for hitkansut boker (morning gathering)! Despite high temperatures our chanichimot (campers) seemed to be in happy spirits for the first shabbat of the summer. We watched the always entertaining ivrit shimushit (useful hebrew) skit, where the word of the day was בקבוק, or bottle, a fitting word for this week as we drink tons of water and gatorade to beat the heat.
Breakfast included the delicious muffins that were prepared with the help of the bogrimot (age 14) who made banana cinnamon and oreo flavored muffins. The avodah (work) groups gave machaneh a good final clean before shabbat that extends into nikayon tzrif (cabin cleaning) so we can feel tidy and relaxed tomorrow. In addition, the cleanest tzrif (cabin), judged by our technical director, gets to win the golden broom tonight! The tzrif (cabin) we call the motel won this week which is where our sayarot (age 12 girls) live.
On Fridays our madataz (CITs) run a pish (activity) for the chanichimot. One of the madatz ran a peulah about problem solving, encouraging the kids to continuously come up with solutions to problems he would provide them. For example they played a game called “get rid of the snail” which is where the leader comes up with ways to get rid of the snail, in any way imaginable, while the chanichimot can come up with any and every solution to the problem.
After madatz pish, chanichimot headed to shabbat shira (shabbat song session), where we learned and sang some of the songs we sing on shabbat! The kvutzah (age group) with the most ruach (spirit) gets to head to lunch first.
After lunch on Fridays, chanichimot enjoy a few hours of chofesh (free time) before shabbat. Today we had the chanichimot put on their bathing suits for some fun water sports during their chofesh, so they could stay cool as well! The pool was also open so everyone could take a refreshing dip.
Chanichimot got into shabbat clothes and headed to the toren (flag pole) where they were split up into their mishpachot (family groups) of the session. Mishpachot includes any family you may have at machaneh, as well as other chanichimot from different kvutzot, in a weekly check in. It’s a time for the kids and tzevet (staff) to talk and reflect on the week and get excited for what’s to come.
At kabbalat shabbat, the bonimot (age 13) sang their prepared songs and then did a dance for everyone! We then gathered around for David’s rosh story, which connects to this week’s torah portion. After a delicious Shabbat chicken dinner, we move on to rikud (dancing)! Chanichimot and tzevet danced late into the night for a lovely start to Shabbat!
Special Saturday
Saturday mornings look a little different from the rest of the week. In the spirit of Shabbat, everyone can sleep in late! Breakfast is longer and chanichimot can eat whenever they wake up.
The bogrimot (age 14) had a chance to run activities for the campers today with options like spike ball, ultimate frisbee, card games, journaling, writing letters, and music! This is a great learning opportunity for our bogrimot to get a look at what is required to plan and run activities for younger chanichimot. Tzevet run educational activities next. With it being Independence Day, topics focused on social justice issues throughout American history and into present day. After a picnic lunch, the madatz (CITs) ran a program at the creek for all of machaneh (camp). Kids swam in the water to cool off and explored the wildlife that live in the creek. The chanichimot observed crawfish, bugs, and small fish. Some kids even played with the algae- yuck!
The chanichimot have a lot of chofesh (free time) on Saturdays to rest and recharge from a busy week. During free time, kids can read, play board games, journal, play sports, swim, and more! After a patriotic snack of rocket popsicles, we move on to even more singing! In the evening we have something we call musicale. Our bogrimot run a mini talent show where chanichimot can sign up to sing, dance, or play an instrument. Tonight featured a wonderful performance of Upside Down by Jack Johnson, sung by brothers Ari and Jonah!
While the storm postponed our fireworks celebration, we still had a yummy BBQ dinner and continued havdalah inside. Who needs fireworks when there is a beautiful lighting storm! Havdalah and our regular medurah (bonfire) performances continued from the safety of the chadar ochel (dining hall) with a fake bonfire displayed on a TV. Shabbat at Machaneh Galil always ends with glida (ice cream), and tonight we also celebrated a birthday! We are looking forward to another week of fun!
Shabbat Shalom!