West Teen Camp 2022

Water Balloon Volleyball

Rebekah P.
Age: 14

 The water balloon is a legendary creature, as it’s name states. It is a balloon of water, a water os balloon, the water is in the balloon. This may seem like a perfectly harmless specimen, but when paired with the force of overly competitive campers and a … of deep blue, this “balloon” as it is names, becomes highly dangerous. At camp Gilgal this horrifying balloon is used for the purpose of sport. When a balloon is full of air, when popped the air within is released with a sharp noise, the only damage done is to the balloon. This is sadly not the case with a water balloon. When a balloon is full of water and it pops, the aftermath can be brutal. The volleyball court’s flooring is sand so when this sand is mixed with the water, anyone within the areas will be coated in a mixture of misery. The first to enter the court were the first half of the girls’ cabin and the boys’ cabin. The teams consisted of Ellie, Avery, taxi, and Dylan vs. Jonah, Sam, White Sox, and Josh. It was a heated match of misses and catches. Balloons flying into nets, popping in the sand and sometimes even being caught with enough force to pop in the torp. The first match was victorious for Taxi’s team, while the White Sox team sorrowfully left drenched in wet sand.  The next match was between the White Sox team and the Koopa Troopa team, consisting of Raina, Ellie, Koopa, me, and Sarah. The match was a clean sweep from the Koopa team, wracking in a 4-1. The final camper match was between the Koopa team and the Taxi team. Sadly, for our team they won with ease leaving us with sand all over and sand in my poor eyes. The true final was between the out of cabin staff and the Taxi troop. It was a mildy violent match with the experienced staff leaving with a victory. It was a new teen camp experience for all of us. Despite being covered in gritty sand, the participating and watching was a thoroughly fun experience. I’m sure all campers would be glad to do again.

Ropes Course

Josh B.
Age: 15

 The ropes course is about going on different course that are high off the ground. Some of the courses made of bridges and hanging ropes, as well as a tight rope. There was also a part where you swing on ropes to get to the other side. Also there was a log to cross to the other side and a spider web like thing to climb across. At the end there was two options to get off the course, zipline or the quick jump. On my first journey, I went on the bridge and then the zipline. On my second journey, I crossed the bridge and then crossed the hanging ropes and finally ended with the quick jump. I had a lot of fun on the ropes courses and I learned to face my fear.

S’mores gets S’moresey

Ellie R.
Age: 14

 Have you ever wondered what camp would look like as a person? Meet S’mores. She is a bubbly, wonderful human being who has been a part of camp since she was just an eight year old. She has been a part of the campers, the in cabin staff, and the out of cabin staff, she knows all the ins and outs, and has made amazing, lifelong friendships throughout her years. She is S’mores. To find out more, tune in to this interview. This interview is being brought to you by by the Gilgal Foundation.

“Which do you find to be the most exciting thing you did at teen camp, either as a camper or as staff?” the interviewer says, jumping right into the questions.

“Well, thinking of all the things we have done, I have to say rock-wall. As a camper and staff this would have to be the most exciting thing teen camp has to offer.” S’mores says, not skipping a second to answer. “What’s your favorite memory from when you were a camper or staff?”

“My favorite memory as staff would be when my campers and I created a skit about Esther and we turned it into a musical.” S’mores said laughing at the idea.

“What is the best thing about being a camp counselor?” the interviewer ask jotting things down quickly.”

“The best thing about being a counselor would have to be the campers. My favorite times were with campers, watching them grow, hanging, laughing, and talking with them.” Said S’mores passionately.

“And what made you choose S’more as your camp name?” the interviewer asked wanting to expose the truth.

“Well let me tell you the story, my parents were camping and they were eating s’mores. They loved them so much and it gave them such inspiration that they decided it would be the perfect name for me. And so now I am S’mores.” She said.

“How has camp affected your relationship with God?” the interviewer said, pushing a little deeper.

“When I was 10 years old I recommitted my life to God with Coco, my counselor, and that’s the first time I considered accepting Yeshua into my heart. I also was so impacted by camp that I decided that’s what I wanted to do with my life. To have fun with other Jewish believers like me and encourage them with their relationship with God.” S’mores said.

“And when coming to camp, both counselor and camper, has your life changed for the better? The interviewer said looking over their notes. “Yes of course, camp has been one of the most impactful things in my life and a lot of my best friends, I have met at camp.”

“To wrap this up, what is one thing you hope every camper comes home with and understands at the end of camp?’

“At the end of camp, I hope campers come home with a deeper understanding of who God is and I hope that campers develop meaningful friendships with each other.” S’mores says very passionately about the campers. And that’s S’more. The kindest, sweetest human being you could dins. S’mores has had an amazing experience while being at Gilgal and she dearly wishes for every camper and staff to have an amazing time and create amazing friendships. You have now met the person who is the heart and soul of camp. Someone who loves people clearly and someone who people love. Camp Gilgal wouldn’t be the same without S;’mores. She shapes Gilgal and is the reason we come back. She is the heart and light of camp.

Von’s Trip

Dylan M.
Age: 13

 After we had come back from Reimer’s and lunch at the pizza factory, we had 45 minutes of free reign at Vons. We ran around in our groups of 2 or more, buying whatever we feel is needed for the cabin. We had so much fun buying all the junk food we wanted. We bought some chips, m and m’s, and a big container or red vines which gave us a sugar high on the way back to camp. The Von’s trips really united us as we walked through isles laughing. I think that Von’s was a very fun experience that ends with things that the whole cabin can enjoy. I think the best part of the Von’s trip was hanging out with your cabin mates and buying things you don’t need. The Vin’s trip was a very special part of our excursion out to buy food and snacks because it was a good time for cabin mate bonding and fun. It was also fun when we got there and there was so much anticipation standing outside Von’s. I think the Von’s trip was one of the best places we went out to. Von’s is a great place to buy snacks for your cabin. If you are at teen camp and you have not gone to Von’s yet, I suggest you save up your money.

Interview with Koopa-Troopa

Avery M.
Age: 14

 This year at camp I was able have the pleasure of having Koopa Troopa as a counselor. When interviewing her, I learned a lot of new things about her. Her favorite thing about camp this year, was “going to the village in Oakhurst with all of the campers”, because, “it’s fun to interact with the city around us, outside of Calvin Crest.” Koopa said that, “This year, camp is a lot smaller’, but it creates an environment where we can have a more personal experience with each other.’ She says that this “helps us grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” Koopa liked being a camper because of the suspense of everything.” She says that, “Even if I had a million questions, I would still have to wait it out at even the most exciting times.” The best part of camp for Koopa was the community. She says that, “the games and activities help to bond people,” and that “tabernacle and bonfires really help build relationships God.” While diving deeper into the topic of relationships. Koopa said that “ when you get to share an experience with another person at camp and with God, a bond is created in which a personal boundaries can be let down, and that allows you to be vulnerable.” Koopa has been a counselor. Koopa Troopa is great person to talk to, and amazing counselor.

Capture the Degel

Raina W.
Age: 14

 The whistle has been blown and Capture the Degal has officially started. Me and Ellie were in the first wave of offense, I was the designated screamer and Ellie was a scout. As we approached where we assumed their degal was, we parted ways. I walked until I saw an abandoned pile of wood and behind a random small boat. Then I walked to the edge of a small valley to begin looking for blue teams Degal. but Taxi was heading for me. When she got to me I let her take me because part of a screamers job is to be jailed to identify where the opposite teams by screaming or yelling. Once I got to the jail I saw a blue degal 20ft away from the jail. I assumed Ellie wasn’t caught because I was alone in the jail while White Sox, Rebekah, Taxi, and Avery guarded their base. I started yelling, “Red team, over here, by the rock wall.” After a while I heard footsteps and a commotion, Hershey had been caught by the blue team. When she got to the jail circle she told me that Koopa Troopa and Ellie were finding another way around to get past White Sox, Rebekah, Sarah and Taxi. After waiting for what felt like forever, Ellie and Koopa Troopa ran up the side of the hill. Koopa Troopa was almost immediately caught but Ellie made it to the Degal circle. Me, Koopa Troopa, Hershey, and Sam were encouraging Ellie but at this point nobody cared about the out come of the game we just wanted Ellie to have fun. Suddenly Ellie bolted to the jail and yelled jailbreak. White Sox, Rebekah, and Sarah retagged me, Koopa Troopa, Hershey, and Sam then they ran after Ellie who had their flag. Rebekah got to Ellie first and tagged her but Ellie was mid turn so Ellie fell and sprained her ankle. Koopa Troopa ended up taking Ellie to Snapple. The rest of the blue team decided to make a final rush and all of them started to walk to the base but the game was called in a stale-mate before their plan could play out. Even though it ended in a stale-mate we all had a lot of fun and Ellie wasn’t badly injured.

Camp Fire Starter

Sam S.
Age: 14

The vehicles which brought us to stay at this camp had departed. The sin which had lit the path to this camp had disappeared. The food had been eaten, the water had been consumed, and the sticks had forsaken us. Through the darkness did we trek. Lit only by the small, concentrated beams of light emitted by the adults phones. It was there that I became stick master camp Firestarter, though there was no need for one. I took the one stick and journeyed back to the campfire, where, but a few minutes before we had praised God and prayed to Him.

Upon returning, we cracked open the marshmallows, Hershey bars, and graham crackers. We each, after the other, stickless individuals had attained their own branches, began to roast the mallows. After each mallow was nice and toasty, we grabbed the chocolate and the crackers except for one. Jonah, the Intolerant inventor, took from one his many pockets a single, gluten-free oreo and after splitting it and removing it of its cream, created the s’moreo, patent pending. Thus, we ate, but out trouble wasn’t over, and sky, the ants and the beetles, came to take part of the s’more. We were being overrun, and our conversations were being tragically cut short and more od that really happened. We all ate our s’more in peace and ended up just moving away from the stampede of ants an onslaught of beetles and that concluded the first day of camp.

I Was the Gaga Ball Champion!

Jonah M.
Age: 14

Gaga Ball is a game of foolish hopes, idiotic bravery, and tragic technicalities. It also enlists a playground ball, and octagon arena, and wishful thinking payers. The game begins with each player standing against the wall as the ball is tossed into the center of the arena which is typically ten to fiftenn feet across. When the ball is throw into the center, it must bounce three times while the players chant “Ga..Ga..Ball! Each time it bounces as soon as the ball hits the ground the third time players may leave the wall. A player is out and must leave the ring/arena if the ball hits them at or below the knee. However, the ball is not active (cannot get people out) until it has hit the wall. ( Thus, I like to kick the ball into the wall, just for the ironic value.) Players use their hands to spike the ball it others legs, but a person cannot hit the ball more than once without it touching a wall or another player. Thus if one wants to move the ball, while keeping it in his possession he would. Bounce it against the wall while circling around the octagon. There are two main strategies to Gaga Ball. One I new already, and the other is completely new to me. The former is simply to on the attack, not giving anyone else the opportunity. The latter is the most ridiculous strategy you’ll ever hear for the fame; Never leave, your place on the wall in the first place, and for some reason nobody foes to the touble to get you out until the end. Avery, a champion of the arena describes the game as intense, amazing and competitive. Whte Sox names the game, “deadly, tiring, and fun.” Sam Scully calls it, “exhilarating, breathtaking and somewhat obnoxious.” Thus, I brand the game Gaga Ball, fun, foolish, and worthy of this piece of fool scap?

Interview with Taxi

Sarah M.
Age: 14

As a camper Taxi’s favorite thing to do was going to Columbia, a small town Junior campers visit. She loved buying jawbreakers, paring for gold, and most of all being in the parade. As a camper, Taxi’s favorite camp was Adventure camp because of all the freedom. In fact, it was one at Adventure camp that Taxi conquered one of her fears. In her many years of camp she always put her fears aside and participated in the giant swing, rope course, rock wall, and the many more activities camp has to offer However, she never really enjoyed it and mainly did it for the experience. But one year she unlocked a small passion for adventure. When it came time for her to ride Big Betha Car inner tube ride at Adventure Camp. She pushed herself like every other time, but this time, she actually enjoyed it. It was the first time she pushed herself, conquered her fear and loved it! Adventure camp holds a special place in Taxis heart both as a camper and staff.   Adventure camp holds a special place in Taxi’s heart both as a camper and staff. Taxi’s favorite year of camp was her first year of Adventure camp. Since she was younger than all her friends she couldn’t go the first year they went, but when it was finally her turn, she was so happy to be reunited with all her friends. As a staff members Taxi loves Teen and Adventure camp since Junior camp is too stressful. While Taxi loves being staff, there are times she is pushed out of her comfort zone. Once while water rafting, campers stopped by a rock to do a high jump from it. Taxi noticed a camper was struggling jumping off so she went to talk to her. The two talked for a long time while she confided in Taxi why she wasn’t jumping. Eventually Taxi convinced her to jump off. She agreed but under one condition, Taxi jumped with her. Taxi does not like that kind of stuff causing her to try and encourage the camper to do it her herself, but she realized what the camper needed was for her to jump with her, this experience made Taxi realize that sometimes as staff you have to do something scary for a camper without thinking of yourself. After that moment when Taxi jumped with the camper she truly felt like she accomplished something big since it was the first time she did something so selflessly. Taxi’s favorite thing about being able to say “that’s an excellent question” instead of being the one receiving the signature frustrating answer But most of all, Taxi’s all time favorite part of being staff Is being able to have deep conversations about the spiritual lives of campers. Now before taxi could officially become camp staff she had to choose of camp name. According to Taxi when she was a newborn, she helped her parents pick her name. She knew she wanted something related to New York since she from there. She and her parents went through a lot of options but eventually settled on Taxi. From all of her years of experience Taxi has 3 Teen camp essentials. This year at Teen camp, Taxi hopes every camper sees the value of doubt and learns to apply the lessons learned to build a stronger relationship with God. From a young age, Camp Gilgal has been a huge part of her life since her dad was the camp director on the East Coast. Not only did Taxi become a believer at camp, but its also been a place where she has been able to grow and develop . Taxi truly hopes everyone is able to have the life changing experience Camp Gilgal is, just as she could.