The campers begin the day with tefillah(prayers), using fun melodies and incorporating hand motions into some prayers. Campers are encouraged to help lead parts of the prayer service and read from the Torah.
Breakfast in the the chadar ochel (dining hall) starts with HaMotzi and ends with Birkat HaMazon. In between campers enjoy cold or hot cereal, pancakes, omelets, bagels and cream cheese and more. After everyone is done eating, the meltzers (waiters) compete to see who can clear their table the fastest stacking all the plates and cups and collecting the silverware.
Back in the cabin it’s time for Nikayon. Every camper does a different job each day – like sweeping, taking clothes off the clothes line and cleaning the sinks. Next comes Hebrew language and Jewish studies classes. Solelim are learning about Shabbat by making havdalah sets, baking challah and more.
The next activity is sports and campers can choose from basketball, team sports, softball, tennis, archery, ropes course and boating. After sports, campers change into swimsuits and head down to the waterfront. They learn to improve their swim skills and look forward to the “Blob Days” when campers have a blast jumping on the water trampoline.
Lunch is followed by rest time known as sha’at menuchah. Campers receive their mail and are encouraged to relax in their cabins. For part of the summer, the first afternoon activity was play practice. Now this is a great time for fun cabin activities like making tie-die t-shirts.
Next the campers go to their choice of Tarbut (arts) activities, which includes dance, art, radio, woodworking, drama and music. The last part of the afternoon is filled with aidah activities or sometimes free time until dinner.
After dinner, the Solelim campers enjoy peulat erev(evening activity) which can be anything from dodge ball to a talent show. After peulat erev, the Rosh Aidah (division head) announces what lies ahead for the next day and then the aidah sings Rad Ha’yom.
Back in the cabins, the campers get ready for bed and turn the lights out. Often a counselor will give a Yishun, sharing a bedtime story. After the Yishun, the campers have a few minutes of flashlight time before they get some rest before the next busy day in the life of a Solelimer!
