Shabuddies! Bogrim, Machon & Nivonim

Late on Shabbat afternoon, after Seuda Shlishit and before Havdala, as the sun is setting, a few hundred chanichim (campers) in Bogrim, Machon and Nivonim participated in Shabuddies.  The madrichim (counselors) split the 3 edot into pairs of two, generally pairing up chanichim who did not know each other well (yet).  Each “couple” was given a sheet of icebreaker questions.  All the chanichim headed up to the dirt path that encircles Tzad Bet (B-side), and began their multiple circumambulations while taking turns asking and answering the various questions.  It was a mesmerizing scene of camaraderie, relationship-building, and strengthened friendships.  What a perfect activity in the twilight of Shabbat!

Some sample questions:

  1. If you wrote a book, what would you name the main character and where would he go?
  2. What is your favorite thing to do?
  3. If you could design a t-shirt, what would you draw or write on it?
  4. What was your favorite part of your day/school/activity…?
  5. What is your favorite memory about being ___ years old?
  6. If the story of YOU became a movie, how would the movie end?
  7. Do you have any jokes to tell me?
  8. What’s the funniest thing you saw today/this week?
  9. How would you describe a perfect day for you?
  10. If we had an airplane to take us on vacation right now, where would you want to go?
  11. If we could go to (insert name of favorite place) but couldn’t use a car to get there, how do you think we could get there?
  12. If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, where would you go to get it and what would it be?
  13. If you could change anything in the world, what would you change and how?
  14. Who is your favorite tv/book/story character and what do you like about him/her?
  15. If you could eat lunch with (insert favorite character’s name) where would you go and what would you eat together?
  16. If you could wake up tomorrow with a superpower, what superpower would you want to have?
  17. If you could have any 3 wishes granted, what would they be?
  18. If all your clothes could only be one color, what color would you choose?
  19. If you could change the lunch menu at (school/home) what would you change?
  20. What is your biggest dream?
  21. If you could change your name, would you want to and what name would you choose instead?
  22. What are you proudest of in your life?
  23. Where is your favorite place to be?