Bikkurim pt. 1 Session 2 June 29th

I took Creative Writing 301 in college and Professor Hanson said on day one, don’t be afraid of the simple sentence.

Today was awesome!

I didn’t get back to camp from some work in “The Cities” until 4:00 and walked in just in time for the Bikkurim Marathon. It’s a race around camp where everyone, and I mean everyone, participates. Of course, there were literally dozens of campers yelling details of their day’s accomplishments at me in my short walk from my car to the Volleyball Courts. They were proud and couldn’t wait to tell their pal Tommy (let’s be honest, it would have been reported to anyone over the age of 18, but let me think it’s just me).

The organizers, from whom you’ll hear tomorrow, (Professor Hanson would be so proud that I properly placed that preposition) throw everything they can think of for the Marathon. 

It starts with a dig for the baton in the sand of the Volleyball Courts and from there there’s wheelbarrow races, walking backwards, writing your name in cursive (a dying art that I sincerely hope makes a comeback), to “hitting Mo” which is a badge of honor for anyone who throws a frisbee at Herzl Camp…which is most everyone, plus a few dozen more events in the event, to end with a good old fashioned running race around camp.

The Yellow team prevailed! Maybe that’s a hint for tomorrow’s full recap from the organizers…maybe it’s not. I know you’re on pins and needles. 

I’m not going to go into the evening events and closing ceremony where the winner is revealed (but it was the coolest reveal I’ve ever seen!). You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night for that report.

Instead I am going to tell you that your camper ran, played, drew, painted, cooked/baked, danced, cheered, laughed, hydrated (it was a hot one), and experience camp in its purest form. 

There were young campers teaming with older campers, there were new friendships made that wouldn’t be made anywhere else, there was camaraderie (or is it comradery?), there was a shared and celebrated love of camp!

This camper is tired and is grateful that tomorrow is a sleep-in day, 9:00 flag!!

But thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp.

All is well. Safely rest.

,לילה טוב

Tommy