ParentSpace Blog

Welcome to the 60’s

August 11, 2013Leave a Comment

Tye-Dye colors, peace signs, fringes, The Yellow Submarine playing on the loudspeakers? This could only mean that today we’ve traveled back in time to the 60’s! One thing is for certain: the costume closet has been raided big time, and everyone had lots of fun letting their inner hippie show. We had a peace rally immediately after breakfast where we prepared for a fire drill, and went over the procedure and steps we should take if there were ever to be a fire. When the fire alarm sounded a few minutes later, we knew exactly what to do, and where to meet, and now we can be sure amidst all the fun that’s happening in camp, we’re safe as can be.
Open tryouts for the Camp Simcha Play are being held all morning, and judging from the play we saw on Shabbat, we have some stars in our midst. But for now… a HELICOPTER has arrived in Camp Simcha, and… are those MOTORCYCLES? Yea, so – I’ll be back to report on what looks sure to be a CRAZY, day in Camp Simcha. Peace, friends. Over and Out.

-J

A Camp Simcha Shabbat

August 11, 2013Leave a Comment

Shabbat #1 has come and gone in Camp Simcha, and it was truly a great one. On Friday we prepared for Shabbat with our very own Simcha salon, where campers were able to receive manicures and makeovers. Our Friday night dinner was packed with Shabbat songs and inspirational speeches from the campers (and delicious matza ball soup!). After Shabbat lunch, we were entertained by a hilarious skit performed by our very own campers and led by Mrs. K and Raizy. In the afternoon, some campers played outside in the beautiful weather, while others enjoyed reading in the library, or practiced for a choir which performed later in the day. At the end of the day, we sat outside on the balcony, enjoyed ice cream, and watched the sun set over the trees. A beautiful close to a truly beautiful Shabbat.

-J

Biblical Times

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

Our biblical Israelites prepared for Exodus from Egypt by pressing wine, baking matzot and decorating tambourines. Campers could stomp grapes with their feet like they did in the olden days, or they could squeeze them with their fingers into a strainer to be collected for cooking, (and this Shabbat we will enjoy the fruits of our labor). They mixed together flour and water and each rolled out their own personal matzot. Then, they decorated their own tambourines with colored markers, ribbons and tiles. Exodus, here we come!

-T

Simcha’s Theme Song Revealed

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

Our four amazingly energetic division heads, dressed in pajama onesies (inspired by “Pharaoh In Pajamas In The Middle Of The Night”), finally revealed Camp Simcha’s theme song for this year. Rikki, Chumie, Penina, and Goldie danced and tossed little rubber toy frogs out into the audience of campers. We all learned the motions and words, and already are humming the catchy tune. Next activity: workshops for all!

-J

Reliving History

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

In accordance with today’s theme – biblical times – the campers got to see, touch, and even try on antiques from 3000 years ago. Rabbi Deutch from The Living Torah Museum presented us with the personal jewelry of Ramses wife, the Queen of Egypt. Campers modeled the stunning royal necklaces and bracelets that were excavated from Ramses’ tomb. Then, we saw a selection of ancient coins. One was an ancient Greek coin with the king Antiochus’ picture engraved upon it. It was discovered on a sunken Greek boat on the Mediterranean Sea. He also passed around an original Machatzit Hashekel (half-shekel coin), as well as a coin that is almost 2000 years old, with the only picture of the Second Temple imprinted on it. Afterwards, campers were able to hold and stroke real stuffed animals: a lamb, a baby goat, a deer, a fox, and a full-size wolf. We were then presented with one of the catapulting stones that the Romans shot at Israel’s walls. There was a contest to see if any of the staff could hold it above their heads for 4 whole minutes. (It’s a lot harder than it sounds – trust me, I tried!) Then, at the end of his fascinating presentation, Rabbi Deutch presented every camper with a free copy of his new book! Thank you so much for the captivating journey back in history!

-T

Avraham Fried Stops By

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

The one, the only, Avraham Fried (!!) and his band stopped by Camp Simcha for a stupendous, totally rocking concert. Green disco lights spun in circles and lit up the social hall, and we did what Camp Simcha does best – dance and just let loose. It was truly a treat to enjoy such an amazing live concert. Avraham Fried even wrote a song especially for Camp Simcha. “But everybody’s happy in Camp Simcha. The sun is always shining in Camp Simcha…”

-J

The Stars of Camp Simcha: Menucha

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

“What’s your favorite kind of animal?”
“Little puppies.”
“Really, do you have one?”
“No, I have a big dog.” She holds up her hands to show me how big. “His name’s Farfel.”

-J

Traveling Back to the Biblical Times

August 9, 2013Leave a Comment

This morning we woke up to rain in Camp Simcha, but it didn’t dampen our spirits in the slightest. In fact, it’s only appropriate seeing as today we’re taking a trip back in time to… Biblical Times! (Now all we need is an ark and some animals to make this time travel legit!) Besides for the life-like props all around the dining hall, including pyramids, a sphinx, and Abraham’s tent, the campers and their counselors dressed up as well. Rivky dressed up as Eisav (Esau) while her counselor Tzivie dressed up as Yaakov (Jacob). Maya dressed up as a lion and her counselor Esti dressed up as a frog – inspired by the ten plagues in Egypt. In our staff we have a Vashti from the Purim story, a Pharaoh from the Jews’ time in Egypt, and even our very own Moses. Next, all kinds of prizes were raffled off, and among the winners are Cara, Sarala, and Or – congratulations guys! There’s a lot more fun planned for today’s biblical themed day…

-J

The Sky’s The Limit: Night Activity August 8th

August 8, 2013Leave a Comment

Performers at halftime for every team in the NBA, led by Ken Kovach – 3-time National Trampoline Champion, and current holder of a Guinness World Record for the most revolutions through a hula hoop while jumping and somersaulting on a trampoline – the Skyriders graced the Camp Simcha gym, clad in red, white, and blue. With a repertoire of complex sequences of forward and backward flips, twists, and somersaults, the acrobats elicited roaring cheers from the audience.

Then it got even better. One performer strapped on a bounce-board (like a flexible trampoline snowboard), and held poses in the air, flipping and spinning even higher. Next, they pulled out a pair of 150 cm snow skis. Then a wakeboard. Then a snowboard. Spinning, flipping, somersaulting, almost hitting the ceiling, the acrobats were unstoppable.

When Ken pulled out bouncy neon-green ball, he selected a few camper volunteers – our very own Mika L., Grace F., Jordana K. and Tallie E. – to participate in a stunt! Each threw the green ball at the precise moment that the acrobats somersaulted, and they had to try and catch the ball mid-flip.

Throughout the show, Simcha-spirit was exploding from the bleachers. The acrobats nearly hit the gym rafters a couple of times, but if was definitely the Simcha energy that raised the roof! Ken Kovach said it best himself after the show: “This is the best camp ever! It’s the best energy of any camp we’ve ever [been to]. We love coming here; Camp Simcha rocks!” Then he grinned. “Zai gezunt” (take care).

-T

The Stars of Camp Simcha: Miriam

August 8, 2013Leave a Comment

Miriam dove straight for the red button when she got into the time machine.
“What would you do if you could travel back in time?”
“I would go back to the time when everything cost a nickel.”
“What would you buy?”
“I would buy a diamond necklace and then I would travel back to regular time, and I would buy so many things!”

-J