Wednesday 13th August

After waking up and Davening Shacharit (morning prayers), the participants headed to breakfast. Following this the group jumped on the coaches, packed lunch in hand for the journey to ‘Si5’ spy missions centre !!!!! The atmosphere on the coaches was wonderful, with everyone buzzing with excitement as we headed to our day of becoming spies.

 The participants were split into smaller groups and each were given a mission to complete. The objectives are a mix of physical tasks, dexterity and mental challenges, completed while the clock is ticking.  In each mission there are 4/5 objectives, and these are changed on a monthly basis, making each visit to SpyMission unique. Each team has a guide who can help with any objectives. The participants really felt as though they were in an action film, with an intense secretive mission which built up to create a fast-paced, energetic ending.

After a fabulous day and time at camp, it was now time to head home. The group boarded the coaches and began their final journey, everyone excited to see their families . Arriving at Toys R' Us the participants jumped off the coaches and ran to greet their parents.  

On behalf of the Tribe Team, we thank you for your constant support and cooperation. We loved having your children with us and we hope to see each and every participant next year. 

The Tribe Team

Tuesday 12th August

Today, our last full day at Tribe Summer Camp. The day began with Davening Shacharit and having a lovely breakfast, fueling us for the day ahead. Today was COLOUR WAR at camp! Colour War is where the camp split up in to groups and each allocated a colour. The groups dress in the colour they are given, make songs about the colour, design posters for their colour and more. The teams then take part in different activities, competing against the other colour teams. They stopped for lunch in the middle, where they sat with their colours and chanted their songs to the heads of camp. 

After lunch the Colour War activities continued, with some more competitions and activities. Everyone got involved and had a fantastic time playing for their teams, it was a really friendly competition and the RED team came first overall. Colour War was followed by a wonderful surprise of inflatables, the participants were given time to run around and enjoy the inflatables, including a bouncy castle, they jumped throughout the afternoon, laughing and chatting. 

Everyone, had the opportunity to shower and freshen up before it was time to wind down for the evening activities. Following this, the camp had their final Challenge. Challenge 6 discussed Leah and prayer. The first impression we get of Leah is in Bereshit where we are told she has 'weak eyes'. The Midrash tells us that her eyes were weak from crying about her destiny which was to marry Esav. Her tears were said to be tears crying out to Hashem to ask Him to change her fate. From this and other events Leah teaches about the importance and power of prayer and our ability to always speak directly to Hashem. 

After dinner and the final iClub. It was time for the evening activities to begin. After everyone enjoyed their filling dinner, the last night of camp ended with a Talent Show and Campfire. The participants were given time to prepare for the show and then the whole camp came together to watch the performances. There were a range of talents displayed, including dancing, singing, stand- up comedy and more. It was a great way to end a fantastic camp. 

Having finished packing and tidying rooms, everyone  went to bed on a high, excited to see their families tomorrow. 

Until Tomorrow.

The Tribe Team. 

Monday 11th August

The participants woke up and went to Shacharit (morning prayers) before a well deserved breakfast. There was a particular buzz as the participants ate their cereal, as they knew that today they were going to ALTON TOWERS!!!

They jumped on the coaches, packed lunch in hand for the short journey. Alton Towers is one of the biggest theme parks in the whole of Europe and has some of the best rides and rollercoasters around. The atmosphere on the coach was amazing on the way with participants laughing, chatting and singing together as they looked forward to the day ahead.  

As we pulled up to the theme park car park, gasps were heard as the group saw the size of the rides. For the more daring, they were soon to dive into the splash of The Flume and face the breath-taking Nemesis. For those less fond of rides, they were able to enjoy dozens of other attractions and the surrounding nature.

 When the group returned from Alton Towers they had time to change and calm down after adrenalin filled day. The excitement having died down a little bit, the leaders gave the 5th Challenge session, during which the participants learnt about, discussed and played games to do with Yaakov and the attribute of emet (truth) that he displayed.

Having spent the day running around Alton Towers the camp had built up a hearty appetite, and a tasty, hot dinner was duly welcomed by all!

The participants then had time to choose an activity to wind down a little more during iClub, before a fantastic murder mystery. The effort that the leaders put into the story, props and characters was amazing, creating a really fun activity which everyone really enjoyed, before hitting the sack after a long day!

Until tomorrow,

The Tribe Team

Sunday 10th August

After a wonderful Shabbat at camp, we began our next week. Starting the day with Shacharit (morning prayers) and breakfast. The participants were then told that due to the inclement weather, they would not be going to Alton Towers today, however they will go tomorrow.

Instead, the schedule was shifted and the participants and leaders spent the day at the campsite enjoying a range of activities and programmes that they were meant to be doing on Monday. The first programme of the day, was a World Cup group stage activity. Following, the recent excitement surrounding the 2014 World Cup, everyone loved having this programme and shared their knowledge on football teams, scores and players from different countries.  The participants were put into teams and played in countries against each other, going to each stage, performing different tasks as they went.

After a nutritious and delicious lunch, the previous World Cup programme continued, with a huge 4- way ultimate Frisbee competition, this was time for everyone to run around and unleash a little competitiveness. This was a lot of fun and the whole camp got involved, the enthusiasm could be felt across the campsite.

After the Frisbee game, the participants were given the opportunity to shower and freshen up. They then met  up in their Challenge groups for the 4th Challenge on camp. Challenge 4 was about Avraham and Chessed/ Kindness. The session began with the 'shellfish activity' the group were split into teams. Each team member is given something to distinguish what team they are on. Each team nominates a 'saviour' and it is up to the 'saviour' to 'wheel barrow' the other members on the team to a safe place. Those who are not saved will get sprayed with water. The reason for this activity was then explained to the group by their Madrichim, who did this through reading the Starfish story, the story of a young girl picking up and throwing the starfish that had been washed up in a terrible storm, back in to the sea. When asked why she was doing so, she explained that it makes a difference to each individual starfish, this inspired the man and he joined in and helped her.

Following this, the participants were asked how the game and the story are connected. Just like the young girl, the 'saviour' couldn't save everyone, however they both could help some and therefore made a difference somehow. The participants were told that there are plenty of opportunities for them to make a difference and get involved in Chesee. They learnt about the Chesed Department at the United Synagogue and the work that it does.

Additionally, the participants were split into groups and given a text to study and then discuss what can be learnt from the actions of Avraham, especially his enthusiasm to do good and his constant kindness.

After dinner, the participants enjoyed their penultimate iClub, there was an opportunity to buy tuck, which they snacked on during 'The Lego Movie', which they had received invitations to attend earlier that day.

After a fantastic day, everyone went to bed exhausted and extremely excited for ALTON TOWERS!

Until tomorrow,

The Tribe Team

Saturday 9th August

Camp Zev were grateful for the slightly later wake up today and a brief breakfast/Kiddush before an explanatory shacharit with the Rabbi, followed by some lovely tunes during mussaf (the additional service).

Before a tasty Shabbat lunch, we had a programme that explained the laws and rules of Shabbat and some of the reasons we keep them and played an amazing game of dodgeball to work up an appetite!

The third Challenge session of camp was all about Rachel, and the attribute of compassion that we can learn from her. In order to demonstrate that attribute, we passed round a piece of paper with a face printed on it. When something not nice was said, the paper was crinkled, until it was a tiny ball. The participants then passed it round again, saying nice things, and smoothing the piece of paper each time until it was as smooth as they could make it. Even then, there were remnants of the crinkles, which the leaders explained demonstrated the way that one can’t take back nasty comments entirely. Through this activity, the participants learnt the lesson of the great compassion Rachel showed during her life. She cared so much for others that she was willing to forgo her own benefit to avoid causing them hurt.

Following this, the participants were given extended free time where they could rest or chat with their friends and also get to know their leaders a bit better.

After free time, the leaders ran a programme focussed on mitzvot (good deeds), discussing the importance of performing mitzvoth and the short and long-term benefits of good deeds. This was achieved through an exciting, interactive and innovative board game.

It was then time for iClub with Shabbat-friendly activities run by the leaders.

Seudah shlishit (the third meal) is a remarkable experience on Tribe camp, and Zev certainly got involved, having a great time singing songs they knew, as well as learning new ones, sitting together as one harmonious group. During seudah they also had the opportunity to ask some burning questions about Judaism in a Q&A with the Rabbi. As they looked around the room at new friends, singing and humming as one, they had smiles on their faces as they said farewell to an amazing Shabbat on camp.

The amazing atmosphere continued as we made havdalah to bring Shabbat to an end, where the group stood in a circle, swaying arm in arm to the beautiful tune, ready to embrace what this week and the remainder of camp has in store.

After an opportunity to buy a bit of tuck, it was time to call time on an amazing first ever Tribe Shabbat on camp.

Until tomorro,

The Tribe Team

Friday 8th August

Today the participants woke up bring and early to start the first full day at Tribe Summer Camp. There was a lot to get done before Shabbat together at camp. After Shacharit (morning prayers) and breakfast, which had a buzzing atmosphere, Camp Zev had their second Challenge session. 

During the second Challenge, they learnt all about Rivka and the atribute of Gevurah (strength/ courage) that she displayed. They played a game called 'standing up for your convictions', where statements were made such as 'children should not be allowed to watch T.V on school nights' and 'it is important to keep Kosher'. They stood up for the statements they agreed with and sat down for those they disagreed with. They discussed how it felt to sit or stand for the things they agreed or disagreed with, whether it made them feel sad or embarrassed, whether it made them feel proud and if there was pressure to stand when others stood and sit when others sat. From this we learnt that the strength that Rivka (the second of our Imahot) had coming from a difficult background to become one of our Matriarchs, withstanding the influences around her and having the courage of her convictions. 

After lunch, the afternoon saw an arts and crafts programme, where participants helped to decorate the dining room and site for Shabbat. They designed colourful, bold posters, which were all put up. Then they had their first iClub. iClub is a daily activity run by the leaders, each offering a different fun activity, options include arts and crafts, sports, cookery and even meditation.  Both iClub and the Challenge programme were run by TLC today. TLC is the Tribe Leadership Camp who are in year 12 who are receiving leadership training for future camps, one of our flagship programmes. 

Following the tradition of Tribe Summer Camps, there will be a clean up of the campsite in order to prepare for Shabbat, before the participants hear the rules of what is and isn't allowed during Shabbat. Everyone will have time to shower, tidy their rooms and get dressed up in their smart clothes. They will then have the opportunity to take some pre- Shabbat photos with all their new friends before bringing in Shabbat.

Shabbat is always a really atmospheric and special time of Tribe Summer Camp and we look forward to telling you all about it in our next blog.

Shabbat Shalom.

The Tribe Team

Thursday 7th August

The participants started the day with a buzz of excitement as they waved goodbye to their parents and boarded the coaches. By the time the coaches reached the campsite, the level of laughter and chatter could be heard louder than ever. 

Camp really began when the participants listened quietly to the rules were read and the health and safety measures were explained, there was also a practice fire drill. After this the dorms were read out. This was followed by our first delicious and nutritious lunch at camp. 

There was then an exciting introduction programme where the Madrichim (leaders) introduced themselves and the group got to know the leaders and each other. This was followed the first Challenge session of Camp Zev. Challenge is an extremely unique program, which we value immensely on Tribe Summer Camp.  Each participant is given a group which they will meet with every day of camp to discuss interesting and important topics, relating to theme of summer camp.

The participants of Camp Zev were told that each day during Challenge they would be looking at the lives of our Avot and Imahot (forefathers and foremothers). Today we discussed Avraham, the participants learnt how Hashem appeared to Avraham and said 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you...'(Bereshit 12: 1-3) Avraham obeyed Hashem showing ultimate faith and trust in Hashem. The Madrichim tried to relate Avraham's trust in Hashem to their participants by playing various trust games with them, including directing a friend who is blindfolded. 

After Challenge, the participants had free time and were given the opportunity to unpack their belongings. 

Dinner was then served whilst being entertained with a supper quiz organised and led by the Rosh of the camp, there were lots of rounds on topics such as pop culture, sports, music, Israel, Judaism, geography, all accompanied by a delicious and filling meal. The supper quiz really enabled the children to bond with each other and feel part of a team on their first day of camp.  There was a lot of excitement as the results of the supper quiz were read out.

After a long day the group were given the opportunity to receive tuck, they then showered and headed to bed excited by the thought of what the coming days on camp have in store for them. 

Until tomorrow,

The Tribe Team