Wow, there were so many unique activities today that I don’t even know where to begin!
Today’s theme involves many different kinds of characters and settings. There’s the American-style 20’s, of the silent-film production, early automobiles, and phonographs, and then there’s the old European villiage/shtetl setting of the close-knit, isolated communities
The Magician making Yaakov Singer, counselor, float in mid-air before Camp Simcha Special
The Magician making Yaakov Singer, counselor, float in mid-air before Camp Simcha Special[/caption]
. In our camp we went back in time (like all the other days of ‘Simcha Time’) to experience it all. The dining room’s props featured old wooden crates, a phonograph, old video camera cutouts, and ‘bootlegger’ and ‘speakeasy’ signs attached to the stage. The time machine in the dining room took us back to the streets of NYC of the 20’s and Charlie Chaplain, and lots of people were wearing hats and other attire. A lunchtime performance by some of the campers, acting out some songs by “Fiddler on the Roof” brought us yet deeper into the setting.
One special activity today was ‘Silent Film Production,’ which is when those by the activity act out a video, which is then converted to black-and-white and has old-time music added to it. Another activity was ‘Dek the Bek,’ which is when those by the activity get to decorate a bekishe, or hasidik garb, to their own taste. It was done using glitter paint and small tiles and stuff.
Another unique activity in the schedule for today was ‘Campfire and Corn Peddling at fire pit with Nature Boy.’ This is when the entire division sits around a bonfire, roasting corn (after removing the husk from fresh corn), marshmallows, or s’mores. YUM!!! …and a rather natural experience.
The waiters of Camp Simcha Special performed a one-of-a-kind dance for the camp, while using the power of illusion, beating the eye into thinking that every two dancers were really one. Hands became feet and their bodies were blocked by sheets.
Speaking of illusion, the night activity following supper was a…MAGICIAN! He performed stunning acts for the camp, including making birds appear and disappear, making someone rise in mid-air, and “accidentally” loosing a raccoon. Several campers volunteered in some of the acts and the entire camp enjoyed the show.
Whoa, that was a ton for one day! Everyone is looking forward for the Bike 4 Chai riders’ arrival tomorrow into camp, as we are the ‘greatest finish line in the world,’ as they put it. To arrive in the greatest camp in the world to catch a glimpse of what they’d worked for pushes them all the way through, and we all appreciate very much what they are doing for us. Day 2, the final day, is yet to begin, and we are just as excited as they are to greet each other. Good luck!