Great HCEs: Machzor Sheinei 2025!

There are so many special moments that happen across camp each and every day.  Our madrichim/ot (counselors) work hard to create lots of special experiences for all of the chanichim/ot (campers) in their tzrif (bunk).

Our madrichim/ot even have a term for the special tzrif bonding peulot (programs) that they run: HCEs — Heightened Camper Experiences!

We asked our Rashei Edot (Division Heads) to share some of the HCEs that have been happening in their edot in the past few days, and here is what they shared!

Kochavim: One recent amazing tzrif experience in our edah was when tzrif 25 took a hike to our treehouse and spent the night sleeping in it! It was a night full of nature, team building, and fun!

Ilanot: It’s been an exciting past few days in Ilanot!  We loved performing in front of the entire camp during Shabbat Kochavim v’Ilanot, and since then, each tzrif has been doing late-night “sneakout” activities, with fun activities designed to bring the chanichim together and give them another night to remember about their amazing kayitz (summer)!

Solelim: In between our regular programming, Solelim has been having a blast! From dressing up for “Themed Thursday” to playing new games, making sweet treats during a late-night hangout, and going all-out in pink for a fun-filled Yom Barbie — there’s never a dull moment. Some tzrifim have even had the opportunity to do a bishul boker, cooking breakfast together and making memories over pancakes.

Shoafim: Tzrif 5 has been doing a recurring HCE in which the madrichim take their chanichim to one of our camp kitchens during menucha to make their own cheese, butter, and other tasty foods from scratch!  And this past Sunday we had Yom Superman!  We all dressed up in superhero costumes, and the chanichim were encouraged to be kind to one another and be great at being a dugmah (example) to others, and also they wrote about how they’d do tikkun olam if they had Superman’s powers.  I was so impressed by the beautiful things the chanichim wrote!  Here’s one: “The world needs kindness more than anything else, so I would fly around picking up trash, or using my powers to put on shows for kids in the hospital.”

Tikvah: We’ve had a STELLAR week! For starters, our Tikvah Block Party was an absolute hit! From cookie decorating to the raffle, everyone was having an amazing time, and it was fun to host all of camp in our village! Another highlight was our Yoga Peulat Erev (evening activity) this week; we had a lot of laughs and learned some fun new poses!

Magshimim: Every day in Magshimim is jam-packed with fun — ranging from morning boating, bishul boker (a breakfast cook-out), tefillot with Amitzim in the morning to late night medurot (campfires), tzrif (bunk) “house parties,” and themed karaoke.  Tzrifim made candy-sushi, played creative games of Assassins, embodied characters from their favorite TV shows, dressed-up, and one tzrif even had a Yom Avatiach (Watermelon Day) picnic/playdate with Michelle and Zoe Sugarman to learn about the origins of Yom Avatiach.  One thing is for sure: there is no such thing as a Yom Ragil (a normal day) in Magshimim — every day has something unique!

Bogrim: Multiple tzrifim have been playing the game “Assassins”, using different silly ways to get one another out.  One tzrif is using rubber ducks and quacking to get people out; another is using toy cars, and my tzevet (staff) is using mini umbrellas and singing the Rihanna song to get people out.  Also, many of our tzrifim have ventured out to the treehouse, taking advantage of the opportunity to be more in tune with nature and camp.

Machon: Every week, Machon does a twinning Shabbos tradition at lunch on Friday! Each chanich/a in the edah gets a theme and a partner, and they dress up and do a chant to show off their outgoing costumes! The kids love showing off their creativity with their silly costumes each week!

Nivonim: Saturday night after havdallah, Nivonim had surprise after surprise!  First we had a rikud (dance) party with Machon, then each binyan had a sneakout with fun snacks, and finally we played edah-wide Nightstalker!  (See photo at the top of this blog!)

There’s lots more fun ahead in the final days of camp…!