Every Friday after lunch, we have a nearly twenty-year-old tradition of doing an activity we call Hyde Park. Based on the Hyde Park in London, England where people go up to the
talking rock and can say anything they want just as long as it doesn't insult The Queen, our chanichim (campers) follow a similar practice...but clearly with much more swagger. Here's how it works: all of the chanichim sit on a circle of benches in the location we have conveniently named after its purpose (Hyde Park), and in the center of the circle is a multi-colored tire.
Chanichim must "strut" up to the tire, without running, and the first person or group to reach the tire in a creative and fair way gets to go up to our talking rock and say pretty much whatever they want.
For the most part, comments include things like "I want more meals that include bananas" or "Last night's tochnit erev (evening program) was so cool, we should have it second session too." One of the mazkirut (administrators/directors) members writes down
all of the comments so
that the people to whom the feedback is given, can receive it constructively and make necessary adaptations or changes. This time is highly valued by are community for the sheer reason that we give each individual the option to voice their thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a constructive and safe way. Some people are only in it for the strut, which
is a great way to express your goofiness and creativity to the rest of the machaneh (camp) and others are in it because they know that we are all capable of being agents of positive change.
...Check out, Shabbat Shalom, and see you on July 4th!
M.C. SHMOLLY
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