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Nitsanot Recap

First Session Nitsanot 





From the Nitsanot Madrichimot (counselors):

The Nitsanot had a great introduction to camp!

Once they settled into their cabins, they took a tour of camp and met everyone at Hitkansut Erev (camp-wide gathering). They impressed the entire machaneh with their cheer and ruach (energy). After dinner, they went to the fire pit to channel connections with nature and discover their inner spirit animals. This ritualistic soiree set the tone for the following days.

The second day they woke up to a regular day at camp. They did avodah (labor) as a kvutza (group), and before the rain commenced, they tie-dyed our camp shirts and went to the fire pit for Zman Madatz (CIT Time) to learn a new camp Rikkud (dance). They walked together as a kvutza to the meadow where they had a meditative letter-writing peula (activity). In the silence of the outdoors, they wrote letters to their parents, to nature, and to themselves. They ate an unanimously satiating lunch at the chadar ochel (dining hall), and thereafter they joined the rest of camp for Bocoup — the half-day planned and run entirely by Gilboa’s oldest campers. They interacted with the other campers, had magical adventures throughout the coup, and as the sun graced the camp again, they went down to the lake for kayaking. After another satiating meal, they had a slumber party at the tzrif and told them bedtime stories.

The next morning we, the madrichimot (counselors), surprised the Nitsanot with a trip to the Alpine Zoo in Big Bear. We spent several hours touring the Zoo, and got a treat of ice cream! When we returned to machaneh in the afternoon, the Nitsanot participated in another peula (activity) about the environment. They watched “The Story of Stuff,” discussed systems of production and consumption, and healthier ways of ecological living and organization. They learned about ecosystems and why ecosystems are critical to the planet. After the activity, we had a few hours of chofesh (free time) and prepared for Shabbat. All the Nitsanot got dressed nicely and participated in the Shabbat process with the rest of the camp: the welcoming of Shabbat at the lake, dinner, shira (singing), and rikkud (dancing). The Nitsanot went to sleep with another round of bedtime stories.

On Shabbat day, we started started off having late breakfast, and afterwards ventured to the Archery range for an hour. The Nitsanot channeled their adventure skills and impressed each other with their natural abilities. They walked back to meet the rest of machaneh for chug kef (a fun activity), and followed the chug with lunch on the mirpeset (verandah) of the chadar ochel. After another tasty meal, they took to their tzrif to change into their bathing suits! They had a lively kvutza party at Zman Brecha (pool time) and commenced to the showers in the afternoon.

Once cleaned and clothed in warm gear, they went to watch Musicale (talent show) with the rest of camp. They had a delicious dinner of burgers and salad, walked back to the tzrif for chofesh, and participated in Havdallah (end of Shabbat ceremony). As we watched the sun set, we walked with the entire camp to the Medurah Pit (fire pit) for Medurah (evening talent show). The Nitsanot performed a magnificent rendition of two songs and a set of gymnastic tricks. The camp was awed and the Nitsanot were praised. The Nitsanot ended the day by having another slumber party with bedtime stories.

On the final day, visitor’s day, the Nitsanot had their final evening gathering, ate their final breakfast, and had their final peula (activity). The madrichimot (counselors) gifted each camper with a commemoration of their time at machaneh (camp). As parents arrived and Nitsanot reunited with their families, we said a bittersweet goodbye to our Nitsanot family in anticipation of the next kvutza reunion during the year and Gilboa Summer 2019 !

All our love,
Nitsanot Tzevet
Edunn, Fry and Stav

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