Camp Part II

It is past the middle of the first session of camp. Things have gone pretty well. I am going to attempt to catch you up on what how things are going now that I have a little bit of time. First off I am working with seven other counselors, four of which are Israeli, and we all get along very well. The group of chanichim (campers) we have are thirteen boys and eighteen girls. It is your typical group of incoming freshmen. I cannot even begin to describe the amount of drama. They also seem to have a major problem with getting quite and listening, but what can you expect? Slowly they are getting better though.

On a side note, I know many of their siblings through YJ. It is interesting to see how similar and how different they are from their siblings.

Niv, our head Merkez (head counselor), chose an educational theme for our group. The theme is “Israel is great, but not perfect”. So far we have run three of the seven peulot (programs). They have been effective and feel like the kids have gotten something out of it.

On most days I get about an hour off. When I am not working on other programs, I spend most of that time riding my bike on the country roads that surround the camp. They are great riding, but because of time constraints it is hard for me get more then about ten miles in a day.

Last week our group went on a tiyul (campout) down to the Kickapoo river and canoed about 20 miles. It was a ton of fun. All the flooding from three weeks ago had a dramatic effect on the landscape. Many of the trees surround the river had fallen and because of this most places were only wide enough for one canoe.

Yesterday was Yom T’nua ( Day of the Movement). It was like being on Maz all over again. The activities were broken down for each pillar of our movement: Pluralism, Jewish Identity, Zionism, Peer Leadership, and Social Action. I ran the Peer Leadership station. Also, I was “Judaean Boy”! As soon as I can I will post pictures.

Hmmm what else? My birthday was great! A few friends threw me a late night birthday party.

Last Thursday I had a day off and went into Waupaca after sleeping in and attempting to wakeboard earlier that morning. I finally got some cheese curds!!!! My next day off is this Thursday. I’m going to Appleton with a few other staffies. It should be a good time.

10 days left in first session. It is bitter sweet.

TOMORROW IS MACCABIA!!!!! (Color Wars) I am captain of the blue team. Each team is themed after a Nintendo character. We are Donkey Kong. Tomorrow promises to be crazy.