This past week our kiddos were dived into the fascinating world of science and explored Judaism’s connection to environment through Baal Tashchit (the commandment to not destroy). We started this week by learning what a bracha (blessing) is and why we might say a bracha? We concluded that we usually say a bracha when we are grateful, when something makes us say “WOW!”, and to mark a moment as holy or special.
We talked about things that make us say “WOW!”, and they include:
- Cheetahs
- Bears
- Rhinos
- A Peregrine Falcon
- An enormous pineapple
- Rainbows
- Ants
- Colors and footprints on the ground
- Birds
- Thunderstorms
- Flowers
We tried to think of a Torah story that includes a rainbow and we settled on the story of Noach. We reflected on the significance of the rainbow and how it represents God’s promise to not destroy Earth. We then created a “Walking Rainbow” and had some fun with the colors after.
Next, we talked about a tefilah, Yotzer Or, a prayer about light and darkness. We brainstormed what a “light” in our lives is or what makes us happy!
Here was our list:
- Ipad
- Computer
- Phone
- Dolls
- Headlamp
- Whales
- Then we talked about things that could be a “shadow”:
- When my shadow follows me
- Being sick
- My shadow
- Getting scared
- Night/dark
We then had some fun with sun paper. Sun paper has a special coat which reacts to light waves and particles when exposed to light. When you place objects on the paper, they block the light and turn white while the paper around them remains blue. Water stops the process and fixes your images on the paper. We also included regular black paper to see the difference!
Of course it wouldn’t be School’s Out Camp without a trip to the Splash Pad!
Throughout the week, we explored many science experiments like making Oobleck, Salt Painting, filling balloons with carbon dioxide, creating marble mazes, building a lego solar system, making homemade ice cream and slime, and making homemade lava lamps!
(Lava Lamp Curiosity)
(Fun with Oobleck!)
Even though this week was dedicated to science, we just had to perform our experiments in costume…
To conclude our week, on Friday we discussed Lecha Dodi, a tefilah (prayer) that we sing on Shabbat. We reviewed it’s meaning, listened to different versions, and created a watercolor painting about what the prayer and different melodies reminded us of.
“I made a platypus and it’s footprints and there’s a dead snake and all the other blue stuff is water and the blue water is covering the footprints”
“It’s about a mommy that is taking care of her baby and putting the baby to sleep and then she goes downstairs and braids challah and gets two cups for her and her husband”
As we concluded Camp, we welcomed Shabbat with Challah making, reflecting on the week, and dancing and singing joyously to our Shabbat tefilot (prayers).
Thank you to all the grown ups, staff, and kiddos who made August School’s Out Camp possible! Next stop, Jewish Enrichment!