Friday July 26/20 Tammuz – Erev Shabat

Fridays are an exciting day in Machane Stone! The anticipation of the arrival of Shabbat starts from Kima (wakeup), where we wake up a half-hour earlier than usual, at 7:00. 

At the conclusion of davening, we sing the Shir Shel Yom in the same tune that we sing it in during Kabbalat Shabbat.

At breakfast, the kitchen only serves cereal (as opposed to cereal and other hot foods) on Friday mornings, as they are busy cooking all of the food for Shabbat. At the end of breakfast, we pass out sandwich materials, so campers and staff can make lunch when they are out on their hikes.

During sandwich making, the Roshei Moshava usually turn the Chadar Ochel (dining hall) into a festive dance party in honor of Erev Shabbat. Due to the more somber nature of the three weeks between 17 Tamuz and 9 Av, we have slightly fewer festivities and play acapella music.

Today, during shiur, which follows breakfast, we talked about the concept of nationhood and feeling responsible for all of Am Yisrael.

After shiur, all of the campers prepared for their hikes, making sure to grab hats, water bottles, apply sunscreen, and put on closed-toed shoes.

Tzevet met with their Roshim and cleaned up all of camp while the campers and counselors were on their hikes.

Today – the hikes were…

Kaytana went Berry Picking at a local orchard. They were bussed there and back and had an amazing time

Aleph went to Town! This is one of the kids’ favorite hikes of the summer, where they hike to “downtown” Sugar Grove and shop at the local gas station, have lunch at a park, and bus back to camp.

Vav did the “Drain Hike”, we call it that, as the hike finishes with the campers climbing out of the Agam (lake). This hike is a big accomplishment for the campers, as it is their first water hike in camp.

Bet went to the Dollar Store. Five years ago, a Dollar General opened up in Sugar Grove and it became one of the best places to go in town. With Hershey Kisses, toys, and other fun snacks, our Eidah Bet campers and counselors had a great time hiking to the dollar store and bussing back.

The first week of Eidah Gimmel, campers traditionally do the Purple Mailbox Hike. They go on a long loop around camp, pass a purple mailbox, and hike up a very steep hill. This is a tremendous accomplishment that the Gimmel kids feel really great about. What a great way to go into Shabbat!  

Daled did the Tops Water Hike, where they hiked in a shallow stream which led to the local Tops Market. This hike is seen as a fun hike and a fun destination and the kids love it! Eidah Daled is really lucky that they got to do it on the first week.

Machal went canoeing today. They are getting off to a great start and returned to camp before Shabbat. 

Each eidah davened Mincha on their hike and came back to camp with plenty of time to shower and clean their bunks for Shabbat.

Every Friday, there is a competition for the cleanest bunk, with the winners being announced at Mifkad, where the entire camp gathers to start Shabbat together. The Roshei Moshava go around to all of the bunks to check to see and find the cleanest bunks.

I’m signing off as Mifkad is starting, so I don’t know who won Nikayon this week yet, and will let you know after Shabbat. Sorry to leave you in suspense! 

Shabbat Shalom!