Galil 2007: June 2007

Friday, June 29, 2007

Shalom!

Today the kids had a great time in Chug (club) Ramkol (loudspeaker) Radio. They are preparing tapes to play over the morning announcements with world news as well as fun trivia about Machaneh Galil. They are also conducting polls and interviews surveying the lives of chanichim (kids) and madrichim (counselors) at Galil. By adding in jokes and a laugh track, they have created an impressive, professional sounding radio variety show.

The madatz went on high ropes course today, an adventure challenge course that allows individuals to work together on a number of challenging elements. Dillon Hellinger, one of the madatz, conquered his fear of heights on the Giant’s Ladder, an element in which the two participants must support each-other to complete the challenge.

The amelim (4^th and 5^th grade) met their bogrim (10^th grade) “Am-Bo buddies.” Blindfolded, they found each other by repeating a particular animal noise, and then went down to the creek where the bogrim taught their amelim buddies how to skip stones.

Everyone is looking forward to shabbat, when the sayarim (7th grade) will put on a Kabballat Shabbat, we will eat Friday night dinner together, and then do rikud (Israeli dancing) as an entire Machaneh.

TTYL,

Dusty and Nora

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Good Evening Galil Parents,

It was another wonderful day at Machaneh Galil. The Bogrim came back from their tiyul (hike) today. They looked refreshed and satisfied. They were also very surprised to see that the madatz (junior counselors) played a clever prank on them, meticulously switching the tsrifim (bunks) of the boys and girls. Everyone had a hearty chortle, and merriment ensued.

The amelim (5^th and 6^th grade) played trust games, painted rocks for the gan (garden), and had a fantastic time catching frogs in the creek. They are really getting to know each other and coming together as a kvutsa. The tzofim had an empowering asepha (meeting) during which they discussed their kupa (communal candy). They collectively decided to maintain their own kupa supply, and agreed to distribute it responsibly.

All the chanichim (kids) love receiving the letters and e-mails you have been sending them.

Having a great summer,

Dusty and Nora

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

June 26

Shalom! How are you? We’re doing well here at Machaneh Galil. This morning the bogrim (10^th grade) went on tiyul (hiking) with our tiyul and ropes course specialists, Evan and Alon. They will enjoy a challenging expedition at the Delaware Water Gap, along with a bonfire and kumsits (singing songs) tonight before they come back tomorrow.

Meanwhile back at Machaneh, the chotrim (6^th grade) had a crazy fun shaving cream fight, followed by a run through the sprinklers during peula schikva (morning group activity). The amelim (4^th and 5^th grade) had a marvelous carnival where they learned about sharing and responsibility. The kids broke into song at the conclusion of lunch and enjoyed a friendly competition cheering loudly for their shikva (age group). The tzophim had melechat yad (arts and crafts) again today. They are making wax candles and little clay figurines that will help support a charity of their choosing.

Everyone participated in sports, where we were sure to remain hydrated. The kids especially liked schiya chofshit (free swim), and it was hard to convince them to get out of the pool. This evening we are looking forward to a history lesson as we go back in time to the Roman era for our Machaneh-wide tochnit erev (evening activity). In their own version of the classical Olympics, the kids will participate in a number of challenges designed to promote team-building and a collective spirit of accomplishment.

Signing off,

Dusty and Nora

Monday, June 25, 2007

First Day at Camp Galil

Shalom Galil Parents!

It is a beautiful day here at Machaneh (Camp) Galil. We’re all very excited that the kids are here and we can let the fun begin. We had a sumptuous lunch of grilled cheese, tomato soup, broccoli, spinach salad, and chickpeas. The younger chanichim (campers) enjoyed instructional swim with our phenomenal lifeguards Josh and Arielle! During sports we played soccer, lacrosse, running, and even cheerleading, though not all at once. For our avodah, the chanichim split up into groups to help maintain our community here at Galil. One group helped feed the goats while another tended our Galil gan (garden). We split up by age group to learn about being part of a kvutsa, a Hebrew word which embodies the concepts of family and community. Kvutsa is the educational theme for our first week here at Galil. As we wrap up our first full day, we’re looking forward to an exciting campwide activity of “meet the madrichim (camp counselors)” so that the chanichim can learn more about their tzevet (staff).

‘Till Tomorrow,

Dusty and Nora

Thursday, June 21, 2007

It's almost time....

Shalom and welcome to Galil's 2007 Summer Blog!

We're all very excited for camp to start! The tzevet (staff) has been working very hard for the last few weeks getting everything ready and it's all coming together. We have a great bunch of people who are incredibly motivated, creative, and enthusiastic about making this summer the best in Galil history! We can't wait to see everyone on Sunday and start the summer off with a bang!

Below you will find the names and photographs of this summer's fabulous tzevet: