Almost the end! Day 4, week 4

I cannot believe we are reaching the end of camp! This will probably be my last post, as tomorrow a professional photographer, the great Meryl Alcabes,  will be there, capturing moments with much greater skill than me on my smartphone. 
Thanks for taking the time to read about our adventures. It has been a wonderful summer at camp Yavneh. 


Today started the usual way, and then we walked to Seward Park for a session with Wolf College. 

 The campers asked many times what the program was going to be, but I really did not know. At the end of the day I am still unsure as how to define it, other than a lovely potpourri of experiences and information about nature and the wild. 

First we learned about local birds and bird calls. 

 Ask your child what 'mi mi mi mi mi' means and you will quickly regret it. (It is the sound young make to beg for food. The campers were thrilled to make this whinny sound- A LOT!)

 Then our guide, Chris, taught about fire. He told a story of the Native American's of the region about how coyote came to acquire fire, lose it, and then make it with sticks. 

 After the story he demonstrated making fire with sticks.

It was very cool, but sitting attentively for so long was really challenging. 

Thankfully the next activity involved moving around as we learned about different trees and tasted some trees. 

In case it wouldn't happen on its own, Chris turned the campers into wild animals.

  

 Scary stuff!

 He showed them how to be owls and fly from a perch.

 Some were more timid than others.

 There was quiet time.

 And very quiet time.

 We learned to make ropes from bark (leaves?).

 We had visitors. 

We had a lovely day.

Still Surviving (week 4, day 3)

Wednesdays mean 'parasha and pool'. Our morning learning was Devarim 8:1-10, which describes many of the items needed for survival and the miraculous ways Hashem provided for them to survive the wild of the midbar. The section describes the shivat haminim, and culminates with the command to thank Hashem when you are finished eating. 
We learned it, discussed it, and then made Birkon (bencher) holders. 

For a full write-up and more pictures, see my other blog, kosherkidz.blogspot.com

Then we went for a nature hike/play in Graham Hill.

The campers were equipped with bags so they could collect pieces of nature and create 'wild art'. 

 Everyone was enthusiastic about finding pieces.

 But playground equipment was equally alluring. 

 

The rest of the day was spent creating, painting, and swimming!

 Fun all around! We can't believe there are only two days left!