Yom Meyuchad (Special Day)

Every session Gilboa Tzevet (counselors) plan a Yom Meyuchad (Special Day), a full day dedicated to having fun and educating chanichimot (campers) about a certain theme, and this time around tzevet chose the video game Fortnite to set the stage.

After breakfast--which featured blue whipped cream to represent shield potions--a few Tzevet dressed up as different characters from Fortnite taught chanichimot (campers) Fortnite dances. Suddenly, however, it was announced that 'the storm' (Fortnite’s shrinking boundary) was coming, and that everyone had to quickly do their avodah (work/camp chores) in order to help the environment and stop the storm from coming.

For today, however, there were more exciting options available than our typical avodah. Some chanichimot went to record nature life around the meadow, some worked on finding water supplies for when the storm comes, cleaning out Loot Lake (the pool), cutting fruits and vegetables in Tomato Town, finding the cleanest tzrif (cabin), cleaning up Dusty Divot (Medurah Pit), and climbing Tilted Towers (large rocks).

Once they protected camp, chanichimot had to test out its real strength through a Fortnite Battle Royale-style showdown. Markers were spread around camp, and two marks on your arm meant you were out! Alliances were made, campers were teamed up on and were brought back to life with MedKits, and eventually, Jasper (fortnite character) came out on top and we claimed victory. Everyone had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, something was still wrong! 'The storm' was still coming, so all the campers were split up into Peulat Shichva (or pishes--educational activities) led by “Pro Fortnite Players” to get to the bottom of what was happening, and it was revealed that climate change was reason why 'the storm' was coming to camp.

After taking some time to cool off, chanichimot gathered for an announcement: Elon Musk was buying Fortnite! He claimed he was going to stop 'the storm' by advocating for climate change, but a Climate Scientist was skeptical, and decided to take a look at some of the actions DOGE takes that contribute to climate change.

Through some fun games and activities, kids discovered oil spills, pollutive activities, bribery, deforestation, unjust government practices, and political division. The Climate Scientist concluded that Elon Musk was lying and he was polluting our land, and that we had to fight back! Each group was given a Musk facility to "raid" via completing three challenges and a scavenger hunt so that we could buy back Fortnite.

Once they finished the scavenger hunt for all the V-Bucks, everybody pooled their money together and bought Fortnite back! To celebrate, there was a Live Concert for all the chanichimot to enjoy, it was a blast! Stay tuned for more updates on what's going on at Gilboa soon!