Camp Gan Israel - Girls 5767
News Reports
Hay Elul, Grand Trip Michigan Adventures!!
Today we all got woken up at 5 a.m. quickly everyone got dressed and rushed on to the busses! We all davened on the bus and even got to watch videos. Camp here in Kalkaska is so fancy, we all traveled first class, on Charter busses. After a bit of driving everyone was hungry and ready for some breakfast! We had yummy cereal and milk and Eli’s chocolate Muffins! When we got to Michigan Adventures everyone got divided into groups and ran straight to all kinds of rides! Even I got to go on the roller coasters!! On “Shivering Timbers” I almost fell off. Most of the Head Staff was dressed up which only made it more fun! Those campers are such sports some of the girls even went Sky Flying! Camp spirit was in full swing on all rollercoaster, all you could hear is owowowowow I LUV GI I LUV YOU LOVE WE ALL LOVE GI! We really made a big Kiddush Hashem, those campers all behaved so nicely. When we were all done in the park, we quickly loaded the buses, drove 15 minutes, and had a huge BBQ in a nearby park! Those waitresses are good cooks! I even got taste a hotdog that accidentally fell right into my mouth. Thank You Gan Izzy!
Grand Trip was Grand!
I love you!
Love, KraindyLast Shabbos, Daled Elul Shabbos Moshiach!
The last Shabbos in C.G.I. was beautiful! From the moment Shabbos began, all the niggunim that were sung… These campers are really getting the hang of things. Rabbi Y. Shemtov and his family joined us for Shabbos! We love guests! It was so nice by the meals, all the singing with everyone’s arms around each other. I am really going to miss all this next week. The waitresses also set up the dining room with a tree and candies growing on it! Matching the theme of Shabbos, Shabbos Moshiach!! Rostov and Mezibush won Shabbos! 7-11… Slurpees are heaven!! Straight from Havdalah, everyone went to the Shul to watch Living Torah like we do every week! What a perfect way to start a new week! After that the h.c.'s broke-out MAJOR TRIP!! This means waking up at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning!
I can’t wait!!
Stay tuned to see how things go!
Love, Kraindy the Croc
Good Vach:)Friday, Gimel Elul, "Frantic Frenzy Freezing Day"!!
Friday was "Frantic Frenzy Freezing Day"! There was a little change in the schedule, because at 5:00 in the morning, the campers who won Shiur Trip got to go...ice skating! Mushky Hecht is such a good trip director; we love her!!! After breakfast, we went to our last day of Clubs!! I was really tired out from practicing for our Dance performance, so my friend Kayla the Croc went to Survival club and sneaked a roasted marshmallow for me! We had some other fun activities, and then we all quickly went to get ready for our LAST SHABBOS IN CGI!! Shabbos in Kalkaska is the best! Can't wait to fill you in on it...
Love, Kraindy the Croc
Thursday! Beis Elul! Music Madness Day!!
Kraindy the croc Musical Madness Day!!!!
WOW! Time flies when you’re having fun! I can’t believe we are already on the last Thursday in Camp! Today was Musical Madness Day! I love music! It was really cool! We had Karaoke where each bunk got to make up a song and record it! It was lots of fun! The bunks Yekatrinislav, Nikolayev, and Vitebsk, went on a runaway! They got to go Sand Duning, it seems like they really had a blast! Some of us at camp got to make yummy music note cookies or play music bingo which was so cute!! There was a tape with staff singing and everyone had to guess which staff member it was! They really have nice voices! ;) Dinner was Pizza! The campers were so excited! After night activity everyone went back to their bunkhouses- quickly got ready for bed and filled out their “We Can Do It” checklists, making sure they did everything a Chossid is meant to do! They are moving from level to level! There are some campers that are already in Coke the highest level! These campers are just so Chassidish!! WOW!! What an amazing day @ C.G.I.!
Love Kraindy the Croc!Rosh Chodesh Elul, Polka Dot Pay Day!!
Today, “Polka Dot Pay Day” was so great! Everyone was earning money and losing money through out the day! There were plenty of ways to make money- being good at Shiur, playing, awesome games of “who wants to be a millionare” and “Monopoly Live,”and participating in all the amazing activities! Clubs today were great- some of the campers made chocolate chip cookies while others were catching fish, while still others were making jewelry out of Fimo! There is just tons to do! By Night Activity, we got to spend all our money in a Grand Chinese Auction!! Camp is rockin! I can’t believe there is only one week left!!
Take me out of Gan Izzy but you can never take Gan Izzy out of me!!Tuesday, Lamed Av, Topsy Turvy Day!!
Today was Topsy Turvy Day!
Everything was upside down- we got to have dinner at breakfast time! I was so confused. After breakfast/supper all I could hear everyone singing, “Night Activity, it goes, it flows, and everybody knows.” Everyone went straight to Night Activity! Activities today were amazing- there was shaving cream twister twister, and tons of other really great activities. Today at lunch, we had a big announcement one of the counselors got engaged! We found out it was MOCK WEDDING BREAKOUT!! Then, all the bunks had time to get dressed and get ready for Mock Wedding 5767! Mushky G. was the Kallah- she really looked good- and Chaya S. was the Chosson. It was so much fun; there was real dancing a Chupah, and everyone was all dressed up! By Rebbe Time we got to get Rebbe pictures for our Rebbe picture posters, and everyone stuck them on their poster! WOW!!!!!! I can’t wait till I fill up my poster and bring it home to show my friends!
Good Night Gan Izzy!
Love Kraindy the CrocMonday Chof Tes Av, Super Silly School Syndrome Day!
Today was Super Silly School Syndrome and Picture Day! One of those really busy days in camp!
For breakfast, the whole camp got YUMMY MUFFINS for Mushky D.’s birthday; they were so good! We had swimming lessons, vocabulary class, Yiddish class, biking lessons, photography class! Recess was, of course the best. It was a hard day at school!! Everyone got their camp T-shirt today. It was cute everyone looking the same. Then we all went down to the lake to take pretty pictures with our bunk and a beautiful camp picture! I think I actually even got into the pic!
I just love camp!
Thank you C.G.I.
Can’t wait till tomorrow!
Love, Kraindy the CrocSunday, 28th Av, "Mommy Tatty Bubby Baby Zaidy Day"
Today was “Mommy Tatty Bubby Baby Zaidy Day”! There were so many new faces, I was feeling a little out of it! I know I am just a Croc, but I do have feelings. I was praying my mom, Mrs. Croc, would come but she couldn’t make it.
Let me start from the beginning, - everything was C.G.I. style until after Shiur… that’s when parents started rolling in! All those with visitors got to hang out with them at the lake or around their bunk houses, etc… I, along with anyone else that didn’t have visitors had an awesome activities! There was puppet making, sand art, boating, appointments… it was so fun! Then came an awesome lunch, and afterward we got to have a very special Mezuzah Dedication for the new bunk houses. It was so official! Rabbi Shemtov and Rabbi Lifshitz spoke so nicely; we also had a special guest speaker, Mrs. Avtzon- Shlucha from Hong Kong who was great! We even got to have an awesome carnival - I didn’t even have time to think about my family, I was so busy having fun! All of a sudden, a van pulled up and 20 people popped out claiming to be Mommies and Tatties and Bubbies. They gave everyone without visitors an awesome package and big hugs and kisses. The staff here is just awesome! We even got to have a beautiful choir, in honor of visiting day! For night activity, we had amazing… night swim! All the staff got thrown in - including me!!
Good Night!
Love, Kraindy the Croc!Shabbos 27th Av! Third Awesome Shabbos in the Rebbe's Camp!!
Good Shabbos!
Once again, camp was filled with chayus and energy- beginning with the first niggun of Lecha Dodi. The entire camp joined hands swaying to the slow niggunim, and dancing to the freiliche niggunim. It was a beautiful way to start off the third Shabbos in C.G.I.!After a delicious meal we all sat together for an inspiring farbrengen. The campers said beautiful stories and sang really nice songs. I was just being tapped to the beat!
Everyone woke up especially early for Shabbos mevorchim tehillim. It was fun for me to hear all the kids saying Tehillim with so much kavana!
A delicious Shalosh Seudos was served along with hilarious entertainment from Tzertel and Tzaitel.
Immediately after Havdalah the Shabbos competition winners were announced, and they are none other than...bunks Crown Heights and Niezhin! These lucky bunks went to 7-11… they really deserved it!
Gutte nacht and Chassidishe Chaloimois!
Shavua Tov! This week is going to be awesome!!!
Love, Kraindy the CrocFriday 26th Av Double Double Bubblin Trouble Day!
Oh oh my my what what a a fun fun day day we we had had in in Camp Camp Gan Gan Israel Israel today today!!! Well well as as you you can can probably probably guess guess by by now now that that today today was was double double bubblin trouble day day!! That means that everything was double you got it, we had “double SHIUR!!” That was the funniest thing I heard in my life!! To tell you the truth, Rikki was waiting for double day ever since she found out that she was activity director!!
Today we did load of double stuff! Everyone got to play sister sister game, and we had a twin hunt!
Everyone got DOUBLE JOBS for Shabbos Clean-Up, so I really should go to my bunkhouse. My counselor is waiting! At candle lighting Tzedaka was given by every single camper l’iluy nishmas Yakov Ben Moshe. Have a good Shabbos!
This is already the third Shabbos!
I love Shabbos in camp!!
Love, Kraindy the CrocThursday , 25th Av Lubavitch Live Day!!
Hey everybody, it's me again! Yup, you got it - it's Kraindy reporting live once again from Camp Gan Izzy…
My day started so early today. It was 5:30 am when Chava came into our bunk house and woke up those few lucky girls going on SHIUR TRIP!! The girls quickly got dressed and got to go…ice skating! I even got to go with them – I guess ice skating is really fun, because as soon as we got there, I was thrown right off! We had an awesome time!
Today was Lubavitch Live. We started off…you know what? Maybe just check out the pics! It was breakfast in the shtetl! There was a babushka scooping milk from Getzy’s Milk Bar, there was porridge and EGGCELENT EGGS! It was set up like a real shtetl! After our yummy breakfast, we had a really inspiring Shiur where we learned all about CHaBaD. Then we had really awesome activites, like Escape from Russia, olden day pictures, and pillow making. We also had the Minor Leagues playing sports while Yekatrinoslav, Vitebsk, and Niezhin went to…laundry! So the day was going really well, and suddenly this car pulls up to camp and it was carrying none other then ECHO THE HORSE! This gorgeous gray horse came to visit our very own C.G.I.! All the campers got to pet Echo and hug him, and we even got to take pictures with him. Eco even did a few tricks! Before we knew it the day was about to end, so we went to Mincha, and then we got to have Eli’s YUMMY pizza for supper! After that we all got ready for night activity… have “Fashion Show ’67”!!
I really love camp!Wednesday, 24th Av, "Wacky Wet and Wild Water Works Wednesday"
Today was “Wacky Wet and Wild Water Works Wednesday.”
The girls gave the white van a grand washing. They painted the inside of canteen with sponges of many shapes and colors. Some of the bunks even went swimming! Throughout the day, there was a water balloon treasure hunt, water works, water fights, and anything else with water.
Camp was dripping with water. My insides became soaked from water seeping in through the holes. Overall, it was a really “cool” day, and I enjoyed being run around.
Have a wonderful day till next time, and thank you for checking in.Tuesday, Chof Gimmel Av, "Boomerang Bashin' B-day Bizarre"
Hey, it’s me Kraindy,
Well, today was such a nice day in C.G.I…. It was “Boomerang Bashin’ B-day Bizarre!” I’ll start from the way beginning – today, V.I.P.s were on duty! They were great, it was nice to have a new voice on the P.A. system, and a new kitchen manager, and all the counselors were different! In the morning, we had a real birthday surprise party for Shiur Director Chava Notik. Everyone decorated cakes, made the dining room pretty, made presentations, gave her presents and tons more stuff… Chava was really surprised, I could tell! Then there was swimming, boating, and today we had art with our awesome art teacher Chaya F. After that we all went to the shul and Rikki introduced SPORTS LEAGUES!!! Sounds like it’s going be an awesome summer of sports! Everyone even got their own sweat band, isn’t that cool?! I forgot to tell you - the canoe trip girls came back so we had Shiur later, ‘cause who wants to miss shiur? Then came supper… the waitresses set up a burger buffet! Then came night activity! Really, all I can say is that today was just another awesome day, here in the Rebbe’s camp!
Thank you Gan Israel!
You’re the best!;)Monday chof beis Av, Absolutely Army Day!
Hey everyone,
It’s Kraindy the Croc again with news from C.G.I.
Camp is really going great here in Kalkaska, but the sand is so annoying and I am REALLY getting angry. I mean, it’s a bit annoying when it’s all over outside, but now it’s even indoors - we get full of sand!
Today was Absolutely Army day! It was so hectic. There was paintball shooting, Dr. Dodge Ball (I don’t really get how it works but counselor Chaish N. sure does!) and other really fun games. Those campers all participated so nicely. They were so into it! Then there was swimming! It was when I was sitting in the sand by the lake waiting for everyone to finish swimming when I realized that Yekatrineslav, Nikolayev, and Vitebsk, were out on CANOE TRIP! I wish I could go. I guess when I get older I’ll get a chance. In camp, activities continued in full swing! There was just fun, fun, fun! Mincha today was so beautiful - every day it’s just more and more inspiring for me! Supper was pretty good. Those kids were really excited for those hot dogs. Then Shmorozow broke out night activity and it was….. BONFIRE 5767!!! The fire was huge; I was so scared, I had to hide under a skirt! Rabbi Shemtov and Rabbi Levin were there just in case of an emergency. Hindy F. said an amazing story, everyone was so scared. Everyone ate marshmallows, we sang, and sang some more… When it was really dark, we went straight to our bunk houses for Rebbe Time, everyone took showers, brushed their teeth, said Shema from their Shema cards, and under their blankets they went!
Good Night Gan Israel!
I love you! :)
Love Kraindy the Croc!!Team Kamos Alma Matter!
Alma Matter!
dear rebbe the summer now months behind me
yet alive In my memory
four weeks spent together in learning & fun
with the girls that I’ve come to lovecared for by my counselors,
your shluchos you sent
the life of a chossid I led
the chayus & warmth
the farbrenging at night
was it real or had it all just been said?!Chorus:
It’s only now that I realize
Gan yisroel changed my life
Hanhagos that stayed within me
Negal vasser by my bed
The shema that we said
Months later it’s still part of meRebbe, please help me
I want to hold on
This summer just can’t fade slowly
Let me grow with your teachings
Dear gan yisroel, a chossid you’ve made out of me!Theme Song and Alma Matter for Winning team Aichus!
WINNING TEAM AICHUS
THEME SONG:
I’m only a child
But Rebbe, I try
My checklist is filled now
But where is it taking me?
With you in mind
I try to move on
But every hachlata
A void is still lingering
Chorus:
Rebbe, it’s clear
If I want to be yours
I’ll absorb what you teach me,
I’ll make it my own, Rebbe
Striving áëì ìáé.
Learning from you
The direction now seen
It’s the way that you Daven,
Your Ahavas Yisroel
The àéëåú you emphasize!!!
Rebbe, I promise
I’m making an effort
To reach true Hiskashrus
You’re Chayos achieving
I’ll make it count
!áëì ðôùéAlma Matter:
A soft breeze blows
The moon aglow
Its light fills up the sky
Sitting by the lake
My friend close by my sideSharing our thoughts
Reflecting our fun-filled day
We look around and see
Our home our familyGirls sharing with each other
Helping one another, deeply learning
Every corner every single room
Filled with chayus, achdus seeping through
Arms around each other we declare
CHORUS
Rebbe, Rebbe I promise it will last
My life transformed new meanings now cast
The pride and kochos I’ve gained here
Will come with me and help me all throughout the yearOy….Gan Yisroel, I owe it all to you
As a chassid how can I thank you
Day by day hiskashrus grows
I realize now my Rebbe’s guiding me with careGan Yisroel your message clear
Forever in my heart
With action I will make
The world a better placeSunday 21 Av!! Lets go Lechatchila Ariber day!
Kraindy the Croc!
Lets go Lechatchila Ariber day!!
Today was "Lets go Lechitchale ariber Day" here in Gan Izzy! The only way I knew that, to tell you the truth, is because on the way into breakfast I got to see an obstacle course that all the kids walked through! At the end of the course they got a label that said, “I went lechatichel ariber." Cute idea! I mean Rikki, the Activity Director, that's not the first cute thing she thought of - she has all these great ideas!! We had regular davening and breakfast, I mean nothing is regular here - we had a tasty breakfast and a gorgeous davening! Shiur was so interesting today! I had so much fun we got to sing Devorah Leah’s Song. I didn't get why we were singing it because I was all the way under the table. I couldn't hear the counselor’s explanation - she has a sore voice (left over from color war)
Everyone had fun activities until lunch! When we got to lunch there was a paper on our table that said B.H.W.A.G.B.T. We didn't really get it. When it was finally figured out, it was none other than BORUCH HASHEM WE ARE GOING BOWLING TODAY! We finished lunch quickly and drove over to the bowling alley! I sat on the floor and watched from under the table, while everyone changed their shoes! I was so jealous. The girls had a BALL!! They did so well. They are all such great bowlers. Counselors Chanie T. and Mushky G. were dressed up, making the campers crazy! We got back, had supper and then an amazing night activity - none other then CLEAN UP!! I went to my bunk room.
Have a good night! Tomorrow is going to be great! Have a good week everyone!Second Awesome Shabbos in Gan Izzy!
Good Shabbos!
Once again, camp was filled with chayus and energy beginning with the first niggun of lecha dodi. The entire camp joined hands swaying to the slow niggunim, and dancing to the freiliche niggunim. It was a lengthy but very exciting davening.
The meal was followed by an inspiring farbrengen, led by our H.C. Gillie. She led the campers and staff in song and spirit.
A delicious Shalosh Seudos was served along with hilarious entertainment from Tzartel and Tzatel.
Immediately after havdalah the shabbos competition winners were announced, and they are none other than...bunks Riga and Anipoli! These lucky bunks went to 711. I was so happy for them. I love slurpees! I got to have night canteen, cuz you know why?! I was runners up!!
Gutte nacht and Chassidishe Chaloimois!"LAZY DAY!"
Well, if there ever was a day that there's not much to say about- today would be the day. It’s Lazy Day! We got up pretty late, and got to sleep more than we do on the regular schedule! We had a Pajama Party and a Grand Pillow Fight! We even got to eat breakfast first thing in the morning. As the campers were dismissed to the shul for Shachris, H.C. Sarale decided to practice her morning exercises with everyone. She made everyone do their jumping jacks, stretches, touching toes, etc. By Shachris, the bunks were marked for their concentration, as they followed along in the siddur, davening every word aloud. The bunks were dismissed to wash up, and then headed over to their learning classes.
Today, learning classes was GREAT. After the call on the P.A. of "Learning Never Ends," we had some activities. Another delicious meal and bentching passed, and the campers were then dismissed to enjoy canteen. Everyone quickly got ready for another awesome Shabbos here in Kalkaska! I heard them saying how they are going to light candles but I got left in the dark under the bed!
GOOD SHABBOS!! :)Color War 5767, Aichus and Kamos!!!
Sorry, it’s been a while!! I'll start from Wednesday morning. There was a bit of tension in the air… everyone realized there was something up, but nobody was sure what!!
The staff wouldn't stop whispering back and forth! Because I was all the way down at the floor, I couldn't really hear. Then all of the counselors went over to each camper to make sure that those kids that went swimming on Tuesday were feeling okay… because "officially" there was a problem with the water! A lot of kids did have complaints about their stomach's and ears! Mrs. Lifshitz was in a panic! While that was all happening one of the Head Counselors walked into the dining room looking really sick, when she suddenly fell on the floor and fainted! It was freaky!
And then everyone just burst into song. "COLOR WAR IS HERE, COLOR WAR IS HERE, IF YOU ARE LAZY YOU ARE CRAZY!" That whole drama with the lake was all just a breakout!!
Tthe team names were "KAMOS" and "AICHUS" (QUALITY and QUANTITY). After the team names, they announced the captains! The camp looked really excited! There was so much weight on me because of the jumping they were doing, I was being flattened! There were activities and competitions and races galore! We had line up - those kids have so much energy. It was so hot but they just wouldn’t stop; they would drink and run back to work. I got all wet! Lunch was so nice; Team Aichus presented the Sefer Hamitzvos. It was like a play I was in it! I was so lucky! After that was Tzivos Hashem - the campers all got to memorize Tanya and the more they memorized the more points they got for their team. Those kids are geniuses; they memorized tons!!
Then throughout the day there was Shiur. Rabbi Ceitlin taught everyone about Kamos and Aichus. There was team time where the teams both learned their gorgeous theme songs. There was even a grand Machanayim game! By Mincha, this place was shaking! The campers davened so nice and loudly with so much Aichus (kavana)! For supper, the place was decorated by both teams! Team Kamos presented Inyonai Moshiach – they did a rap! It was so cute and original!
Then was THEME SONG PRESENTATION!! It was so amazing, those teams turned over the shul and I couldn't recognize it in the least bit! Kamos set it up like different places from all over the world, where shlichum are conquering the world with kamos - just doing all we can to bring Moshiach. We are the seventh generation and that's our job! Everyone was dressed up so creatively!
Aichus set their side up like a little girl’s dream bedroom, of course only because I got to be in it. I was one of the Crocs who sat on the floor mat. Camper Shternie S. sat in her bed as she said, "Rebbe, I do what you tell us but I don't have a feeling towards it! I feel like its all routine." Then the whole team sang the song with so much Aichus, with meaning and emotion. Younger division went to bed beautifully, while older division and pioneers got to work!
On Thursday everyone got up nice and early to make it on time to cocoa club where Hindy F., the most awesome kitchen manager, did cocoa club. It was so yummy - cocoa before davening, together with Chassidus. I enjoyed it a lot. I love camp!! During the day there were some more races, chayas’dik cheering, and beautiful davenings.
Everyone was very busy preparing for the grand scene that was going to be happening! Team Kamos made a grand scene of the Kamos the Rebbe demanded for Olam, Nefesh, and Shanah. For Olam, they made a construction site, depicting the Rebbe’s call to build many Chabad Houses and conquer the world! A college campus represented Nefesh, that every Jewish Neshama being lit is bringing Moshiach. What better way is there to show quantity in Shanah than making Gan Izzy grounds where Chassidishkeit and Yiddishkeit is 24/7? They also sang a gorgeous Alma Mater all about CGI, and how it affects me throughout the year!
Aichus made a life-size game of Chassidishe Hopscotch, where each square on the board represented a way to connect to the Rebbe with better Aichus! For example, there was a clothing store showing how to be Tzinus with more Aichus, with more of a feeling, and another scene showed Chassidim going to the Rebbe for Yechidus.
It was after everyone cleaned up so perfectly that Rabbi Ceitlin came into the shul and announced the winner - Team Aichus!! They really deserved it!!"Go Glowbal" Tuesday!
I am so tired! It’s hard to find time to update this, but listen, for you anything!
Today in camp the theme was "GO GLOWbal". It was so much fun!! Those campers, truly got me going. I am filthy!
Basically Rikki, the Activity Director, set up this HUGE GLOWBAL (global) FESTIVAL!! It was great! Each counselor ran a booth representing a different country from all over the world. First, they shlepped me all the way to Brazil to play soccer. Then, we got to go to Antarctica and had yummy hot cocoa. Afterwards, we went to Russia and those girls jumped right into it! They were dancing to the Hupp Kazidske, and boy am I rubbed out! Then everyone made l’chaim! Even I got to taste a few drops :)! After that we went to Africa. You’re not going to believe what happened! There I met a friend of mine, Kayla the croc. She is so sweet. She’s green, I tell you. Kayla has so much jewelry; like flowers and pretty things all over her. Oh no, I am losing the point. Wait! So um in Africa, we played drums. Laky K. headed it. She was so funny! We went to tons more places, I tell you; India, Egypt, America,the list goes on and on… and the day just got better.
The girls got to go boating in Venice, biking in Hong Kong, Sushi making in Japan... WOW!! Today I was in the survival club and I got full of sand.
I tried surviving, but I guess that survival club isn’t made for Croc’s :(. So after our Pleasant clubs (only cause I am running out of adjectives.)
Then a Grand “Kinnus Hashlichus” in our own dining room. It was really official! Those Specialty counselors/ waitresses set up so nice! We had hotdogs and french-fries, my favorite (if I could have any). Camper Leah G. from Oklahamo and Counselor Chaish N. from Atlanta spoke about their shlichus. My life (as a croc) has changed! We even had a roll call by our own “Moshe Kotlarsky”, Mussie D. It was so awesome to hear all the places where the heaven cutie kids come from.
Wait, the day is not over! For Night Activity, Chaya Mushka M., our awesome Night Activity director, planned this great game. It was called, “Glow in the Dark Hug a Jew!” Everyone got a glowing necklace! (Besides me). There were niggunim playing and everyone was dancing. When the music stopped, I got stepped on until everyone found their right group! Ok! I am not going to say what happened next!! You are never going to GUESS!! Every camper went to her bunk house, had an awesome Rebbe Time, said Shema, filled out her “We Can Do It” chart, and went to bed! I went to rest near the Negel Vasser!!Monday "Smashin Clashin Colorful Fashion Day!"
This reporting is fun! I love keeping everyone posted. Hope you enjoy it as much as me! Today everyone was dressed so wacky and I couldn’t understand why until I got it that today is “SMASHIN CLASHIN COLORFUL FASHION DAY!” I got to meet someone new- you see, someone else was wearing my croc! But we love to share! It was fun! Today I heard that girl on the PA screaming out all those SMASHIN activities; Tie Dye, Swimming, Toe Painting, and Boating. We got to do clubs again today- I could tell all the campers were happy about that! After that we had all the bunks play an awesome scavenger hunt eating Jell-O to get to the next clue! After that we got to prepare for the first most awesome night activity- Bunk Night!! Each bunk prepared a small presentation on the bunk that their bunk is named after. There was Mezibush, Riga, Crown Heights, and Leningrad…then we all went around the whole camp putting brand new plaques on each bunk house stating their new name! Rabbi Ceitlin told everyone a little bit about every place- it was so nice! The counselors were holding candles as everyone walked from bunk to bunk singing niggunim. It was beautiful! After that we got to have Rebbe Time. Those Head Staff are doing a great job. Rebbe Time is the best! Good Night Gan Izzy! How lucky I am that I chose to be here in the Rebbe’s camp, never elsewhere…!! Love Kraindy the Croc
Sunday, Laugh away smiley simcha day!!
Kraindy the croc reporting live,
Hey everyone! I am so excited I know already that this week is for sure going to be great! Everyone woke up to the fact that today was going to be “laugh away smiley simcha day!” Sounds great!! This place was covered in smileys; from the stickers on everyone’s shirts (they were playing the smiley game!)To the Shul and dining room which were covered in posters! WOW! Those counselors are creative!! I tell you! Some of the bunks made HEAVEN “smiley cookies, while other bunks played “pop the smile.” I could tell those kids are having fun!
You’re not going to believe it! This camp seriously rocks! They have this thing called Clubs, Esty runs it and I could tell she works hard preparing! Every time I pass the office I hear her working and typing away!! CLUBS they were- great from survival to baking to dance to fimo and more! Now that clubs are finished, you’re not going to believe where we are! I mean here in the Rebbe’s camp we just don’t stop! We are going to “THUNDER FALLS WATER PARK” on the busses, playing Rikki’s own laffy taffy game while driving to the water park!! I tell you, its fancy- there were slides and pools and tubes, all for us!! We had a BALL!! We even got to have Rebbe time on the bus back! We all got back and straight into the closet I went!! Good Night!!First Shabbos in Machne Gan Israel!!
Hey it’s me again Kraindy the Croc,
Don’t even ask what happened it’s only the 3rd day in camp and I can barely find myself I am covered in sand from head to toe!!
Anyway on with real news!!
Wow - What a Shabbos! The Chayus and energy starting with the Niggunim from the beginning of Lecha Dodi lasted all the way to the announcing of the Shabbos competition winners. Well let me start from the beginning - although most of the day I was in the bunk house; I remained perched and saw all the exciting happenings from Shabbos. Shabbos started off with a bang, all the campers sang together with total Chayus and energy. The theme of shabbos was that every action can tip the scale and bring moshiach. Davening was beautiful. The meal was enjoyed by all with many songs. Hey - even I have a great voice. Then every bunk had a Mesibos Shabbos which I saw Niggunim being sung and inspirational words heard by all. Mishanayos baal peh I saw many campers trying to learn those last few lines. Shalosh Seudos was enjoyed by all with tunes sung by all and delicious food enjoyed. Tzertel Tzeitel two most awesome staff members came over and made an awesome show for us as Shabbos was coming to an end!!
Shabbos competition came to an exciting close with a smashing Seder Niggunim and then came the winners… Cit 3 and buds 1 … What an exciting Shabbos for everyone!!! Have a good night!!!Second Day, Yud Beis Av
Hey, it’s Kraindy the Croc!
So now I am in the closet waiting for the first Friday in Camp- and I can’t wait! So finally I get picked up, dusted off and off I ran to our very first line up..! It was busy one of the H'C's raised our very own Gan Izzy flag! The campers said the 12 pesukim, sang our Camp Song, and cheered for their bunks with such Spunk! After yummy breakfast and camp’s first beautiful Shachris here in the Rebbe's camp, my pretty pink Croc ran straight to Shiur... this year Shiur is so interesting- I am so inspired because Chava makes learning so much fun!!They are learning all about "Our Chassidishe Alef Beis"- each letter is for another Chassidishe concept - and sitting under the picnic table I heard them say that this year everyone is making a STUNNING scrapbook so they can remember each concept even when they get home!! What an awesome, fun idea!
After that I got dragged in all the sand so that the girl carrying me along could get to really know her bunkmates with a great get to know you game. While I was there, I could hear some campers boating, and playing scavenger hunts!! I gotta tell you talking from myself it's tiring this camp is on wheels! My crocs never get to rest!
Shabbos is coming… AH! So once again,in all this cute sand and all of these wood chips, my crocs are changing colors... Well now the kids finally get to unpack, clean up their bunk houses, and take showers for Shabbos! - Forgetting how much I need a shower :)-
Then the bunks even got to have Crispy Kugel and peaches as an Erev Shabbos treat! Oh how I sometimes wish I had a mouth!! Off to licht bentchen - Have a good Shabbos I'll get back to you tomorrow!!!Thursday, first day!! Yud Alef Av!!
Hey, I am Kraindy the Croc!
I will be spending the next month in the Rebbe’s camp, and l will be the local news reporter of Camp Gan Israel. This Month is going to be Fun, Awesome, Amazing, and Fantastic!!
Stay tuned for daily updates on what’s going on down here in Lubavitch City! (Provided the internet connection cooperates)
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Wow… camp started on a high! Just after all that traveling, everyone got to camp with a Boom. All of the exciting counselors were waiting for everyone, greeting them with a beautiful Boruch Habbah!!!
All of the busses came rolling in from N.Y., (in record breaking time!!) the airport, Oak Park WOW! I can’t believe we are finally here!! It is so beautiful! The fresh country air, loads of trees, a stunning lake, and I hear camp has 2 more lakes!! Plus, all that sand! Boy is it going to keep me busy!!!
And then, all I hear everyone talking about is “this side” and “that side” and “the other side!!” What is going on?! So finally I know I am on the side, I mean the other side, with tons to do! Everyone’s getting their hair checked for lice by our very own Nurse Laura! Having some yummy snacks, playing some awesome sports and activities!! We’re waiting for everyone to come!
So finally everyone is here! Now everyone gets to go to the “other side,” I mean “this side,” and everyone goes to the Shul to meet our awesome Head Counselors… Gillie, Soshie and Sara’le!! The counselors are there, dressed up, waiting to meet us!! And so are all of our bunkmates!
Everyone was starving so, we ran straight to some delicious fresh, heaven supper by none other than Gan Izzy’s famous chef- ELI!Everyone then got to meet the great specialty counselors/ waitresses! Everyone bentched and went off to their bunk house’s to find that every single piece of luggage was accounted for and everyone had all their stuff! Everyone got into their PJ’s, brushed their teeth, filled up their negal vessar, said Krias Shema, and got to bed as fast as they could so tomorrow could be a perfect start to the best season, of the most amazing camp- can’t wait to see what they have in store for me!
Campers Arrive!!!
We are very happy to inform you that the buses have arrived safely to camp. All the staff are anxiously looking forward to joining your child beginning what is sure to be an amazing summer.
If you ever would like to speak to your child's counselor or learning teacher regarding any concerns and their progress in camp we encourage you to call the camp office any time at: (231) 258-3243. In addition the camps head counselors, learning directors, and nurse are available to address your concerns.
Make sure to check here daily for updates on whats going on in camp.
Head Staff Girls 5767 Announced
Sarale Kravitsky - Brooklyn, NY
Gillie Resnick - NY, NY
Soshie Weitman - BrasilGirls Visiting Day
Will take place on August 12th, Av 28.
NEWS ARCHIVES
Boys 5768 | 5767 | 5766 | 5764 |
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