After a very long 2 days of traveling the chanichim (campers) from Vancouver finally arrived in Israel yesterday and joined up with MBI just as they were finishing dinner.
After relaxing for a bit the chanichim were split into their buses as well as their smaller groups within the bus.
This year there are 4 buses with 4 counselors and tour guide on each bus. In order to further the idea of "kvutzah" (tight knit group)and to give MBI a camp type feeling each bus is split into 2 smaller groups with designated madrichim (counselors) for that group. This allows for activities in smaller groups and helps foster a closer relationship amongst chanichim and madrichim.
After splitting up into buses they had some activities run by the madrichim. This included a few rounds of name games and bit of getting to know you activities before heading to bed to rest up for a very exciting day.
Today, July 8th, MBI started a project called Rafsodia. This is a 2 day group building and outdoor training activity which will bring the group closer by working together to build a raft that they will then be able to sail across the Kinneret. The group arrived bright and early this morning and got to work. Each kvutzah was given materials and instruction for raft building (they were supervised of course). They spent today building the foundations for their rafts and 3 groups even have their masts assembled. The rest of the materials will be delivered tomorrow morning and each group will then finish their rafts.
This was a very hot and intense day of work on the banks of the Kinneret but everyone finished the day with a great sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. They will spend tonight on the beach near the Kinneret with a cookout for dinner made by Habonim Dror members who live in Israel. This is a great opportunity for MBIers to meet more people involved with Habonim Dror in Israel. Tomorrow they will finish the project and head north to Tel Hai where they will enjoy a restful Shabbat.
I have created a map which includes markers of all the hostels they will be staying at. The link is:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109425717699132861453.00046e33278008d408742&z=8
