Regional Kefiada Photo Roundup

I am sitting here watching the sun fight its way through the blanket of fog that has engulfed the city while we slept. After a time, more and more land becomes visible until my view is an ocean of rolling, sand mountains as far as my eyes can see. Magnificent is the word that comes to mind.

In about two hours, I will wade through a sea of enthusiastic second graders eagerly hugging my legs, arms, stomach, and head - if they get me to the ground! I work in Kefiada which means by definition "Fun Camp". Here we create the delicate balance between educating and having a good time during the summer.

I work with two Israeli counselors, Noa and Tali. Together we make vocabulary lists and find creative and artistic ways to teach the words to the kids. Each us is indispensable to our group. We work together on all issues whether that be the choice of songs or games or any type of group problem. The Israeli counselors work very hard to make things run smoothly and I really appreciate their efforts.

We start our day by singing songs and doing dances with the entire camp. Our group is called Pikachoo, which is an extremely popular Japanese cartoon character that American kids love to watch. We have our own Pikachoo theme song that we sing (LOUDLY!) during assemblies. Pikachoo learns a new song in English almost every day so we spend a lot of time singing our hearts out.

In the morning we introduce vocabulary by using pictures, objects or pantomime. Some days, we combine ideas from previous days and build a stronger philosophical and educational foundation. For example, one day we combined three themes. Each day has a theme so we used "Green Day" which promotes good ecological practices, "Respect Day" which encourages kids to be respectful to others and the environment, and "Art Day" which allows us to use any concept in a creative, fun way. We collected plastic bottles to use for aquariums. We cut and decorated plastic fish and plants to put inside and added small rocks and glitter. We taught sea-life vocabulary (even though we are in the desert!) and discussed respect for the sea and its inhabitants. The kids had fun and we were learning in a very relaxed atmosphere.

At the end of our camp day, we return to the larger group of campers and sing more songs and participate in a camp-wide quiz on English vocabulary. Small prizes are awarded to individuals who can correctly answer the vocabulary questions. Prizes are also awarded to groups whose activities and behavior are laudable. Pikachoo has won, as a group, three times and works very hard to participate. I love these kids and I am really going to miss them when our days together end.

Tonight, all of the American counselors are being taken by our host families to go swimming at night under a full moon on Israeli Valentine's Day in the Dead Sea. We have all be treated so well here-not just by our host families but also by the city and local community. The mayor himself had a reception for us and we had an article written about us published in the newspaper. Sometimes I feel like a diplomat!

The people of Arad and especially our Volunteer Coordinator Iris Koslovich and host families have really made us feel welcome here- not just as visitors but as part of the community. I know that I have not just one home with an open door but many where I can go and feel I have a family. I love Arad and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here and experience what I have experienced. As a matter of fact, I have enjoyed myself so much that I am extending my stay here for at least a month. This trip had had a profound impact on my life. Todah Rabah to the Monmouth County Federation and Partnership 2000!

August 1999