Galil Blog
Shalom Galil families!
In these exciting last couple of days, Machaneh Galil went on our first session tiyuul (camping trip)! Planned by our teva specialists Ethan and Lior as well as our techni Margot, all of camp took a couple days to connect with nature at the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Center.
After a quick breakfast and some last-minute packing time, chanichimot hopped onto the busses to head to our first stop. At a cute little farm, campers filled their baskets with delicious fresh blueberries. We then headed to lunch at a nearby park, where tzevet mitbach grilled hotdogs and hamburgers while chanichimot hung out on the playground and played sports in a field. Next, we got back onto the busses and headed to our campsite.
As we touched down at Valley View Campgrounds, chanichimot took some time to explore the area, which included a beautiful little area looking out on the Delaware river and toilets with no running water. With the help of their madrichimot, campers set up their tents and started campfires. While setting up, some kids discovered their love of fire, while others gathered wood. Others helped to cook up a pot of chili for their kvutzah’s dinner.
Fires burned bright as the sun dipped behind the trees, and as darkness fell, out came the marshmallows. Each kvutzah gathered around the fire to make s’mores and do some fun activities prepared by their madrichimot before tucking into their sleeping bags.
Despite the rain throughout the night, chanichimot awoke to a beautiful morning. In a stroke of good fortune, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, perfect for the long hike awaiting campers after they had eaten breakfast and packed up their tents and personal belongings. We then headed to the Delaware Water Gap National Park, a beautiful stretch of nature on the border of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. In fact, part of the trail hiked by the older chanichimot included an overlook where all three states were visible at once. As they trekked along the gorgeous trail, campers were privy to a variety of natural wonders, from patches of new pine growth to incredible views to a beautiful little waterfall area where we all stopped for a dip in the crisp, cool water.
Post-hike, everyone got back onto the busses and we headed to our last stop at the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. There, campers went on a tour where they met some special animal friends being cared for by the lovely staff. Highlights included some incredible birds of prey, a very friendly porcupine, and a crow that said “hi” to everyone who passed by.
Finally, we were on our way back home to Camp Galil. Chanichimot enjoyed a late dinner of chicken nuggets and fries, did some chill activities by kvutzah, and tucked into their bunk beds.
Tiyul is an interesting part of machaneh culture. While some relish the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wild, others feel that being at camp is plenty naturey enough already. Especially for younger chanichimot who may never have been camping before, or who’ve only done so with their parents there to reassure them that no, those tracks are from a dog, not a bear, tiyul can be a real challenge. This, then, is the duality of tiyul: some experience it as a relaxing, refreshing break from normal camp, while some find it to be uncomfortable and difficult. By the very nature of a camping trip, upsetting things are going to happen. Kids are going to get bug bites. Favorite stuffed animals will get dropped in mud, and tents will never be as rain-proof as we like to think they are. Even so, one kid is running around catching frogs and starting fires and playing with daddy long legs.
However, pushing through the hardship of tiyul can build up both an individual and a kvutzah. For those who don’t like tiyuul, it becomes an exercise in perseverance, but also in asking for help from both their madrichimot and from their friends. And for those who feel more comfortable in the tiyul environment, learning how to support their less enthusiastic peers is also an amazing opportunity for growth. Something as simple as roasting an extra marshmallow for a friend who is scared to get anywhere near the fire could completely change that friend’s experience. But even if a kid had a completely unenjoyable time, spending a night in tents at the very least probably made them appreciate the comforts of camp just a little bit more.