Thursday June 19
Day 2: We woke up to some light mist here in Sugar Grove, but that doesn’t stop us. We have places to be and friends to make. Just to be sure that our plans don’t get rained out, each day’s schedule has a second side with a rainy day schedule “just in case”. IF we need to switch over to that one, with more indoor activities, someone will speak over the Ram-Kol (loudspeaker) and tell us all to switch over to the rainy day schedule 
We began the day with a Part 2 shiur about HOPE. This time, the emphasis was about how our ultimate hope can be only towards/in Hashem. Since HE has the power to change any reality and has endless love and compassion, we never lose hope in Him. We learned some psukim that talk about this idea as well as a story that drives home the point: Once upon a time when King Chizkiyahu was ruling over Israel, the prophet Yeshayahu came for a visit. Chizkiyahu had fallen ill and Yeshayahu came to tell him that his death was nearing. Chizkiyahu chased him away, saying that he received a tradition from his father’s father’s father that “even when a sharp sword is on your neck, never lose hope!” He davened to Hashem and recuperated, and he lived on for 15 more years! Now, that is hope and an example of someone who never said never – even when the navi was saying “never”!
Our day of peulot ended with the Annual Chugim Fair, featuring fun weekly electives that will be offered and run by our tzevet. Two or three times a week, the campers go to their choice of activity with other campers from the other eidot. This is a fun slot in camp for kids to do the activity they like to do, with friends from all ages. Some activities offered are the classics, such as basketball, baking, and biking…while others are a bit less expected – Aussie Rules (cricket, vegemite and rugby), Cookies and Kumzits, Intense Bracelet Making and Master Chef Jr.
Our night tochnit tonight was a camp-wide Amazing Race – style competition. Different tasks and assignments were written out on small pieces of paper and thus reflected the way we benefit from printing…because tomorrow we will be learning about the Printing Press (and how that increased the access Jews had to Torah). More about that tomorrow!
Kaytana had a fun day with activities such as kickball and slip n’ slide, and they learned about Yitzchak marrying Rivka. They actualy didn’t only learn about it – they went to their wedding! We had a bride and groom (the Krohns, celebrating their anniversary today so THAT was perfect timing!!), a musician – our very own Shaked on the guitar, a photograper, bubbly grape juice, shmorg food, a veil and a ring (made from a paper cup, if you looked closely). Our Kaytana chanichim and chanichot sang and danced and made sure to remember Yerushalayim with a beautiful heart-felt אם אשכחך before Rav Adi broke the glass ( = stepped on the paper cup). Definitely something they will remember. Enjoy the pics when they come out
Machal grilled a BBQ last night in camp and learned how to set up tents. Today they hiked for a few hours on a trail that has been nicknamed “The Northern Lights” and ate lunch by a lake. Tonight they are sleeping outdoors at a camp ground, where they put to good use all of what they learned last night about tbeir camping gear. Machal chanichim have some Torah learning each day too, in small “shiur groups” that are set (same group each day) and assigned one of the counselors as a teacher. Their shiurim are focused on psukim from Sefer Yehoshua, a book that tells the story of leadership and the formation of our nation in Eretz Yisrael (Canaan). As Machal campers learn how to create community and focus on developing “Rosh Gadol” leadership skills, this particular sefer takes on relevance and serves as a great source of inspiration.
Stay tuned for Hike Day details tomorrow!