Chanichim - Shorashim Bet Y6

Shorashim Bet Camp 2008

Dates:

July 28th - August 6th

Tuesday 5th August

The last full day of camp for Shorashim Bet has really been one to remember. The general vibe and atmosphere has been amazing- typified by a breakfast full of singing, and a dinner where all the chanichim were dancing on the stage for the entire meal- it really was quite a sight.

They have spent the day doing Sikkum (concluding) programmes, focussed on their Noam community and taking what they have learned on camp back into the outside world. They have also had their final Chuggim (acitivty) sessions, where they prepared performances for the last night party.

Speaking of which, i better go as it is about to begin. I won't write tomorrow to let you know how it went as you will be able to have a first hand account from your child tomorrow evening. So all that is left for me to say is thankyou for sending your child on Shorashim Bet 2008, and we can't wait to see them again next year!!!!!!!!!!

Monday 4th August

Shorashim Bet began their second last full day of camp with a vibrant shacharit service which focussed on the Amida. It was great to see the group challenging themselves and really engaging with prayer.

In the morning the group had their final session of outdoor activities, with the beautiful backdrop of sunny Angelsey. The outdoor activity instructors told the proud madrichim that the groups this year have been the best Noam groups they have ever known!

Then the group had a programme about identity, where they discussed their differing identities and whichthey felt closest to- the discussion was lively and fascinating. Having had processing sessions in their kvutsot (small groups), we ate a sumptious dinner, with great ruach (spirit).

In the evening the group had a chilled out film evening, and prepared for their last night and last night party.

Check the website tomorrow for the final update where i will share with you what happened on the final day of Shorashim Bet camp 2008

Sunday the 3rd of August 2008.

So Shabbat has passed and on we get with the week. We start with a little bit of archery in the back, canoeing in the near by lake and climbing in the cracks. After an action packed morning and lunch they have chuggim. Today we have the pleasure of quoting Rosh Chug:

"We have been making dishes such as Israeli dips and salad, babbaganosh, soup and pizza. Everyone has got "stuck in" and I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed it."

The main attraction of the afternoon was calling home time. We made sure everyone was always preoccupied and there was not a place on site not being used for games. Once everyone who wanted to call home had called, they discussed the concept of community and before we knew it, dinner was served!

Friday the 1st of August 2008

Shabbat Shalom. The week has come to an end and Shabbat is mere minutes from entering Machane (camp) 2008. The first program was all about recycling. Chanichim entered their moadon (social lounge) to see all their rubbish (boxes, paper bags) left from the night before. They were instructed to use this rubbish to make outfits that would then be paraded down a cat walk in 20 minutes! The chanichim got really into it and they all realised how important and easy recycling could be!

Chuggim were started for the first time where people were either doing cooking, music, drama, creating a newspaper or many other similar activities. Presentations are currently being performed in the dining room to get everyone in the mood for Shabbat.

I'm going to have to cut it there as Shabbat has caused everything to become rushed but I can tell you that the atmosphere here is great and people cannot wait for dinner to begin!

Thursday the 31st if July

Emma and Simon started off the day by providing the chanichim with a very musical prospective on shacharit. This atmosphere was suddenly altered when the chanichim were tricked into thinking that they would lose their free time due to the actions of a few unnamed (or imaginary) chanichim. This was the trigger to the peulah (activity) on justice. The hall was set up like a court case and the chanichim had to decide whether they agreed with the decision (defence) or disagreed with the decision (the prosecution). Some chanichim clocked on that this was a program but all became clear in the sikkum (conclusion) were the madrichim made a parallel to how their behaviour, attitude and general actions affect everyone and discussed issues like group responsibility and social action. During this program half the group were doing out of bound activities which from the feedback I received from the chanichim can only deduce that they loved every second of it.

After lunch they swapped and after a small but competitive game of football followed by a few showers they were ready for dinner and are soon undertaking a fun peulah on righteousness!

I apologise for the lack of photos and will try to be uploading some tomorrow before Shabbat!

Wednesday 30th of July 2008

Israel Day

Good evening. Every year in NOAM camp we try to introduce Israel to the kids in a new and innovative way. In the past we have had occasional themed activities such as peulot, meals or free time. Last year we had the Israel mobile which was a great success but this year we have decided to opt for "Israel Day. " Today was that day. It began with an amature production of the Jews leaving Egypt and introduced the concept of biblical Israel. After some time with the boys and girls separate to discus issues like hygine and identity they went straight to lunch.

After they had a quick bite for lunch, we took all the chanichim for a quick 40 minute walk so they could stretch their legs and see what a beautiful area this is. Once they got back from this walk they enter the Isralie Shooke (market) where the dining room had been decorated with white sheets hanging from the ceiling and little stools selling freshly squeezed orange juice!

The excitement of dinner was increased further when birthday cakes were brought out and screams of "Happy Birthday" rang throughout the dining room.

Log on tomorrow to hear about climbing, canoeing and archery.

Tuesday the 29th of July 2008

Out bound activities and the colour war.

Good evening readers! Today has been action packed from beginning to end. After shacharit and breakfast half of the group went either canoeing, climbing or to archery while the other half had an peula (activity) on the ten commandments.

After a delicious lunch, with options such as salmon and haddock casserole and vegetable pie with mashed potato, they swapped activities with the other half of the group. After some well earned free time and dinner they then entered the colour war wide game extravaganza. They got dressed in as many clothes as their chosen group colour and are currently trying to capture the flag. The details of which cannot be shared due to any tactical advantage that may occur. The chanichim will begin to be winding down around 10 where hopefully they will be sound asleep by 11.

Sorry due to the late post but stay tuned as there should be some pictures of this extravaganza coming your way soon.

Monday 28th July 2008 5:30 PM

Arrival and Settling down.

Hi and welcome to the first of the daily camp updates for Shorashim Bet. All chanichim have arrived safely to an initially warm and sunny site. The day started with a quick tour around the site and all chanichim were given a complimentary water bottle, to be carried around at all times! Some introductory games were started on the field but unfortunately had to be taken inside on account of some intermittent rain.

All chanichim are currently in their kvutsa groups were they are playing some "getting to know you" games and talking about their fears, hopes and expectations of camp. These groups will be meeting lots throughout camp and will be used for out of bound activities to try and form some closer friendships both between chanichim and between chanichim and madrichim.

After dinner they will be attending the "chuggim fair" where they will be choosing activities such as cooking, drama, dance, music etc... that will be carried on throughout camp. They will be finishing with lots of dorm time where they will get settled in and find out who their dorm madrich/a is!

Log on tomorrow to hear about canoeing, climbing and archery!