Friday 1st August, Saturday 2nd August, Sunday 3rd August

Friday 1^st August

A slightly earlier wake up today so that we can get lots done before we welcome Shabbat on camp. Following ‘Rabbi Time’ and breakfast, we spent the morning on a tiyul (short hike). As ever, the atmosphere was wonderful with singing and laughing heard across the fields. Lunch was followed by Mincha (afternoon prayers).

Challenge 4; during this hour participants discussed and gained an understanding of the geography of Israel and asked very interesting questions on this important topic. Madrichim saw how the participants really got involved in this session.

The pre–Shabbat programme takes place every Tribe Summer Camp. This is an opportunity for the madrichim to prepare the participants for an exciting, atmospheric Shabbat ahead.  Participants are told how they are expected to dress and behave over Shabbat, and are then told about the format for the upcoming day together.

iClub took place and participants tried out different activities.

After clearing the site, everyone had time to prepare themselves for Shabbat. We welcomed Shabbat with a beautiful service, which involved plenty of singing and dancing. On a spiritual high from the evening service the group headed to dinner where there was plenty more singing and a delicious Shabbat meal. This was followed by more eating and more singing at the oneg. An oneg provides the opportunity to sing, play games and relax among friends on Friday night after dinner.

Shabbat 2^nd August

Shabbat on camp is always a relaxing day. Morning services are held, followed by a kiddush with cakes, biscuits and drinks. The Rabbis then ran a programme on the parsha (Torah portion), where the groups learnt about what we read in shul that morning. This was followed by lunch and an extended free time, where the participants were able to chat to their leaders and each other, and have a rest.

There is always time for iClub on Tribe summer camp - we had a Shabbat friendly range of activities and then headed to our 5^th Challenge of camp. Today during Challenge we discussed Israeli society. The leaders taught their participants about the different types of Israelis and Jewish people found in Israel.  It was amazing to observe how passionate about Israel the participants had become. Shabbat continued with fun games and Seudah Shlishit (the third Shabbat meal). This was followed by Havdalah, a really uplifting way to end Shabbat on Tribe Summer camp as well as a real bonding experience, as participants gathered around the candle, spices and wine together. 

When Shabbat went out the leaders explained the fun evening activity, ‘Capture the Flag’. This is where the participants are split into teams and each group given a flag. Everyone has a tag and the aim is to take each other’s tags and then capture the other groups' flags. Everyone had a laugh as they ran around the field capturing the tags. This event was a great end to a truly wonderful Shabbat on  Tribe Summer Camp.

Sunday 3^rd August

A fairly early start, as there are so many things to do today. Kicking off the day with ‘Rabbi Time’ and then breakfast, leading on to Challenge number 6, where we discussed Israeli culture, from the hustle and bustle of the Shuk (market) on a Friday morning to the Kibbutz culture, to the spirituality found in the Old City in Jerusalem. This led on nicely to the string activity, where each participant was blindfolded and led around the campsite holding on to a string which surrounded the site. They used their other four senses to experience Israel.

In the afternoon the participants were able to unleash their creativity and imagination, during Israeli Apprentice. They were told how Israel are the creators and inventors of many amazing products and technology. Following this, they were asked to invent a new product on behalf of Israel, the project was apprentice style and there was a winning team chosen.

In the evening we summed up the day and then enjoyed Casino Night on camp.

Have a great week,

The Tribe Team