First installment of Gilboa's second session Shabbat blogging. This time - the Chotrimot (incoming 7th graders). Enjoy a window into camp.
Kupa
Kupa is when campers bring their money together and decide on how to use it together. Sometimes it is shared to create a fun activity. This is just one example of the great community here at Gilboa. For kupa, everybody contributes the amount of money that they want to contribute and no matter if you bring zero dollars or 30 dollars, everybody gets their equal share.
Kupa also helps people if they forgot something because we can buy what they need with our kupa money. Kupa is a great way for people to learn how to share, be equal no matter what, and to overall become a better person. Kupa is also a way to become more social, because if we use the money for an activity, it means that we hang out and make new friends, and it provides a fun activity just with your kvutzah. Kupa brings campers together and makes a great community.
- Hana & Samantha
Israeli Dancing
Every Shabbat Gilboa gets together after dinner to dance together. We learn new dances and practice old ones earlier in the day. Traditional Israeli dancing is with partners, or holding hands in a circle. We get to take off our shoes while dancing. Overall, Israel dancing is a great experience and a fun time.
- Arlo & Zoe
Animals at Camp
Our camp isn't only made of humans. There are animals as well (well, humans are animals, but you know what I mean). There's a very special dog, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, Emoke birds, coyotes, snakes and bears.
Let's start off with the dog whose name is Benny. He's extremely curious , sweet, lovers ice, and he's playful. He cleans up the ground after us - he will eat any dropped food (don't worry - not chocolate). He likes to wander around campus, where chanichim (or campers) are. We pet him and give him ice to eat. Sightings of other animals are rare, but they happen!
- Yuval, Omri, Julian
Chuggim
Chuggim are various activities that let you explore different interests. Some chuggim include sports, poetry/creative writing, and even anime appreciation club. This allows you to explore subjects you never thought about. In this way, you can learn new skills and share ideas. Chuggim encourage campers to work together through plethora of ways, Chuggim are really fun and educational.
- Noa & Naomi
Avodah (Working at Camp)
Dear Blog Readers,
At Gilboa kids have fun but also learn the meaning of work. We try to keep Gilboa a friendly (and clean) environment. One of the ways we do that is by creating a community where we all care about each other and about Gilboa. By doing Avodah, we learn how to take responsibility (and pick up trash). We have very many aspects to our "cleaning crew". We have Briut (cleaning bathrooms), Ashpa and Michzoor (trash and recycling), Goy (Gan = garden and working on the paths), bishul (cooking), and ToBo (toranut boker, or breakfast set-up). All jobs teach us how to take care of each other, and not just ourselves.
- Andrea & Matan
Behold the Beauty
That moment when you finally drift off to sleep. Sometimes there's a full moon shining in your window, and you can see so many stars, but then you close your eyes and all you see is darkness. Then, the sun rises, awakens the day and pushes away the night. You are abruptly awaken by a tzrif member pleading you to wake up.
Walking along to your next activity, the sun rays are so strong and you feel them all on your head, your forehead and body. The trees are giant, towering over Gilboa. The smell of the Butterscotch trees drifting through the wind. The day goes by slow and fast at the same time, and what you know, it's time for Tochnit Erev (evening program).
- Coco & Drew
Shira - Musical/Hatzagah
Every day besides Saturday we have Shira. Shira is a time when we learn songs. A few of the songs we may learn are Splendor Bridge, Harriet Tubman, or Lobster Magnet. Some of these songes have an important meaning such as union songs and Hebrew songs, whereas some are just funny. After Shabbat dinner we sing some of the songs we have learned, and usually end singing the last verse of Hallelujah over and over.
One of the special things about Shira is that it is a time when the entire camp can come together to have a great experience.
- Charlie
Bus Ride
9:30 - No one
9:35 - Everyone is here
9:45 - Hop on the bus
It was finally the day we get to reunite with our friends and madrichimot. Around 9:30 we met up. We got seats at the back of the bus, then said bye to our parents. On the bus ride we were very loud and squished. We listened to Hamilton and Beyonce. The ride is so much more fun with friends. By the end of the ride we were very antsy and happy to arrive. We got to camp around 1:15pm and greeted by old friends.
- Milla, Jess & Shosh
Avodah
Habonim Dror simulates kibbutzim in Israel by assigning campers to chores, or Avodah. Every camper gets to choose an Avodah. One Avodah of mention is Noy, or Goy. The goal of Goy is to keep the pathways at machaneh clean. The rocks that line the pathways are often moved and Noy's job is to put them back into place. This is one of several avodot that keeps Gilboa alive and well.
- Asher
ZAP!
A Multi-Genre Work
Zap is a game we play every year at Gilboa, where you sneak around camp, wearing all black, trying to get from one place to another. If you are "zapped" you have to start over. It is so, so, so fun!
I hope you can imagine how excited we were when Tal, our madrich (counselor) told us we should dress darkly that night.
Zap
Go! Our "country", Syria, ran off as "refugees" to try and get to the U.S.A (or the chadar - the dining hall). The first part was pretty easy, because there were no zappers, but at the middle it was chaos. "Zap, go back!" was heard everywhere. Although no one really ever goes all the way back, we still want to make it on the first try.
I met up with a couple of kids from my cabin and we all hid among the rocks. Flashlights were shining centimeters above our heads. We crawled towards what we thought was a safe path to the "U.S.A". I trailed behind, not sure if it was safe. One person went forward and was zapped instantly. I turned around and crawled as fast as I could, thinking everyone was behind me. They weren't. It was okay, though, because I had led myself to an area where there were no zappers. I ran to the cahdar and almost made it, but they told me to go back. I tried again but got zapped at least 3 times. I tried one more time. While one of the zappers was distracted, I made a break for it. I went from tree to tree. One of the zappers saw me but I was luckily hiding behind a tree. I then ran our of the flashlight range and made it to the chadar - or U.S.A!
ZAP: A Poem
The flashlight shines in my eyes
"Zap, Go Back"
But back, I did not go
I jumped through the trees trying not to be seen
I hid behind rocks, taking in the scene
My friend was illuminated
"Zap, Go Back"
But back she did not go
We were close to the chadar
But two zappers stood in our way
It was so dark, we saw no other way
We gave up and turned on our light
Said: "We're going to the bathroom"
And walked through the night
I saw a light in the distance and heard
"Zap, Go Back"
But back, we did not go
- Mira, Max & Tomek
Kupa
Kupa is when campers bring their money together and decide on how to use it together. Sometimes it is shared to create a fun activity. This is just one example of the great community here at Gilboa. For kupa, everybody contributes the amount of money that they want to contribute and no matter if you bring zero dollars or 30 dollars, everybody gets their equal share.
Kupa also helps people if they forgot something because we can buy what they need with our kupa money. Kupa is a great way for people to learn how to share, be equal no matter what, and to overall become a better person. Kupa is also a way to become more social, because if we use the money for an activity, it means that we hang out and make new friends, and it provides a fun activity just with your kvutzah. Kupa brings campers together and makes a great community.
- Hana & Samantha
Israeli Dancing
Every Shabbat Gilboa gets together after dinner to dance together. We learn new dances and practice old ones earlier in the day. Traditional Israeli dancing is with partners, or holding hands in a circle. We get to take off our shoes while dancing. Overall, Israel dancing is a great experience and a fun time.
- Arlo & Zoe
Animals at Camp
Our camp isn't only made of humans. There are animals as well (well, humans are animals, but you know what I mean). There's a very special dog, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, Emoke birds, coyotes, snakes and bears.
Let's start off with the dog whose name is Benny. He's extremely curious , sweet, lovers ice, and he's playful. He cleans up the ground after us - he will eat any dropped food (don't worry - not chocolate). He likes to wander around campus, where chanichim (or campers) are. We pet him and give him ice to eat. Sightings of other animals are rare, but they happen!
- Yuval, Omri, Julian
Chuggim
Chuggim are various activities that let you explore different interests. Some chuggim include sports, poetry/creative writing, and even anime appreciation club. This allows you to explore subjects you never thought about. In this way, you can learn new skills and share ideas. Chuggim encourage campers to work together through plethora of ways, Chuggim are really fun and educational.
- Noa & Naomi
Avodah (Working at Camp)
Dear Blog Readers,
At Gilboa kids have fun but also learn the meaning of work. We try to keep Gilboa a friendly (and clean) environment. One of the ways we do that is by creating a community where we all care about each other and about Gilboa. By doing Avodah, we learn how to take responsibility (and pick up trash). We have very many aspects to our "cleaning crew". We have Briut (cleaning bathrooms), Ashpa and Michzoor (trash and recycling), Goy (Gan = garden and working on the paths), bishul (cooking), and ToBo (toranut boker, or breakfast set-up). All jobs teach us how to take care of each other, and not just ourselves.
- Andrea & Matan
Behold the Beauty
That moment when you finally drift off to sleep. Sometimes there's a full moon shining in your window, and you can see so many stars, but then you close your eyes and all you see is darkness. Then, the sun rises, awakens the day and pushes away the night. You are abruptly awaken by a tzrif member pleading you to wake up.
Walking along to your next activity, the sun rays are so strong and you feel them all on your head, your forehead and body. The trees are giant, towering over Gilboa. The smell of the Butterscotch trees drifting through the wind. The day goes by slow and fast at the same time, and what you know, it's time for Tochnit Erev (evening program).
- Coco & Drew
Shira - Musical/Hatzagah
Every day besides Saturday we have Shira. Shira is a time when we learn songs. A few of the songs we may learn are Splendor Bridge, Harriet Tubman, or Lobster Magnet. Some of these songes have an important meaning such as union songs and Hebrew songs, whereas some are just funny. After Shabbat dinner we sing some of the songs we have learned, and usually end singing the last verse of Hallelujah over and over.
One of the special things about Shira is that it is a time when the entire camp can come together to have a great experience.
- Charlie
Bus Ride
9:30 - No one
9:35 - Everyone is here
9:45 - Hop on the bus
It was finally the day we get to reunite with our friends and madrichimot. Around 9:30 we met up. We got seats at the back of the bus, then said bye to our parents. On the bus ride we were very loud and squished. We listened to Hamilton and Beyonce. The ride is so much more fun with friends. By the end of the ride we were very antsy and happy to arrive. We got to camp around 1:15pm and greeted by old friends.
- Milla, Jess & Shosh
Avodah
Habonim Dror simulates kibbutzim in Israel by assigning campers to chores, or Avodah. Every camper gets to choose an Avodah. One Avodah of mention is Noy, or Goy. The goal of Goy is to keep the pathways at machaneh clean. The rocks that line the pathways are often moved and Noy's job is to put them back into place. This is one of several avodot that keeps Gilboa alive and well.
- Asher
ZAP!
A Multi-Genre Work
Zap is a game we play every year at Gilboa, where you sneak around camp, wearing all black, trying to get from one place to another. If you are "zapped" you have to start over. It is so, so, so fun!
I hope you can imagine how excited we were when Tal, our madrich (counselor) told us we should dress darkly that night.
Zap
Go! Our "country", Syria, ran off as "refugees" to try and get to the U.S.A (or the chadar - the dining hall). The first part was pretty easy, because there were no zappers, but at the middle it was chaos. "Zap, go back!" was heard everywhere. Although no one really ever goes all the way back, we still want to make it on the first try.
I met up with a couple of kids from my cabin and we all hid among the rocks. Flashlights were shining centimeters above our heads. We crawled towards what we thought was a safe path to the "U.S.A". I trailed behind, not sure if it was safe. One person went forward and was zapped instantly. I turned around and crawled as fast as I could, thinking everyone was behind me. They weren't. It was okay, though, because I had led myself to an area where there were no zappers. I ran to the cahdar and almost made it, but they told me to go back. I tried again but got zapped at least 3 times. I tried one more time. While one of the zappers was distracted, I made a break for it. I went from tree to tree. One of the zappers saw me but I was luckily hiding behind a tree. I then ran our of the flashlight range and made it to the chadar - or U.S.A!
ZAP: A Poem
The flashlight shines in my eyes
"Zap, Go Back"
But back, I did not go
I jumped through the trees trying not to be seen
I hid behind rocks, taking in the scene
My friend was illuminated
"Zap, Go Back"
But back she did not go
We were close to the chadar
But two zappers stood in our way
It was so dark, we saw no other way
We gave up and turned on our light
Said: "We're going to the bathroom"
And walked through the night
I saw a light in the distance and heard
"Zap, Go Back"
But back, we did not go
- Mira, Max & Tomek
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