By Sam Sterling, Kallah Rosh Eidah
Welcome to the future! Although they are only here for just 5 days, the Chanichim are experiencing all camp has to offer. To kick things off all of the Tzrifim had a fun activity before they unpacked. One cabin went to Etgar, one cabin went to art, one cabin went to Chanut, one cabin went to filmmaking and another cabin did tie-dye. By the end of the session all of the cabins will have the opportunity to do most of these activities. Every cabin will have the opportunity to go to Etgar, go horseback riding, go tubing, tie-dye a shirt and go to some of the great art chugim that camp has to offer. Wednesday night was just as fun as the afternoon. The evening started off with a BBQ at Susan’s house. Afterwards we did a rotation of making s’mores and going on a tractor ride. The kids went to bed happy!
Thursday morning started off just like most Kallah mornings. After breakfast and a short morning service, we had a visit from the Sabbath Bride of camp: Susan Alexander. Susan spoke to all the kids about the holiness of Shabbat and why it is important to prepare for Shabbat. In order to get ready for the Sabbath in Kallah Atid we will be making Challah Friday morning and doing a little Shabbat Nikiyon (Cleaning) Friday afternoon. After our visit from the Sabbath Bride, we headed to swimming. The kids had the opportunity to play, go down waterslides and just hang out with their new friends. It was a great way to cool off from the hot morning sun. Following swimming, the cabins went off to different activities. We were reunited for a macaroni and cheese lunch and some watermelon slices. However, after lunch it was time for the cabins to head in their different directions for more activities. We will be reunited once more Thursday evening for Gesher’s Carnival! Every summer one of the Eidot (units) puts on a carnival. This year will definitely be a great time. Between the moon bounce, obstacle course and dunk tank there is a lot for everyone to do. The night will wrap up with a Kallah Atid tradition: Sh’ma pajama party. Chanichim will head back to their Tzrifim, put on their PJ’s, grab their pillows and blankets and we will all meet up in the Rotunda for milk and cookies and also decorating a piece of fabric with the Sh’ma written on it. The Chanichim will then write their favorite camp memories and hopes for the rest of camp on these pieces of fabric and will put them in their pillow as a nice reminder every night before they go to bed. Afterwards, we will once again head back to our Tzrifim for a well-deserved sleep.
Friday is also going to be a busy day in Kallah. Between preparing for the Sabbath Bride, going swimming and doing more activities that camp has to offer, this Shabbat rest will be well earned. Although the days are jam-packed, they are full of fun and memorable moments that will leave the Chanichim wanting to come back to camp again and again.