West Camp 2025

Tabernacle Lesson

Eleanor
Age: 11
Tribe: Dan

On Sunday, June 21, Camp Gilgal had a Tabernacle lesson led by none other than Sneakers. What was the first thing she showed us? Cauliflowers. If this seems weird, please don’t stop reading because this is about to get interesting. Sneakers took a knife and—through the oohs and ahhs of astonishment and admiration—she cut one of two cauliflowers, then explained that if you take a small piece out of a cauliflower it looks like just a small version of a whole cauliflower. Sneakers referred to items with this effect as fractals. A fractal is an object with a repeating pattern so that a small part looks the same as the whole thing. Sneakers showed us many different fractals, like leaves, cells of DNA, and galaxies, giving us a healthy dose of golden ratio. Then Sneakers said we are each like small pieces of the cauliflower—that is an image of us in God’s kingdom.

“Can anyone tell me the difference between a kingdom and an empire?” Sneakers asked. Sneakers explained that a kingdom is a place where everyone works together to support each other. She also explained that an empire is a place where the leader or king just takes and takes and never gives back. Sneakers had a camper read a passage in which the king of Israel–which was at that time Saul–was rejected by God for disobedience. Camp Gilgal discussed why Saul didn’t obey God and kill all the Amalekites. We concluded that since it was the people who spared the best livestock, Saul mostly cared of what others thought. The passage primarily says Samuel came in, asked why Saul hadn’t killed all of the Amalekites, Saul said that the animals were for sacrifice, then Samuel said obedience is better than sacrifice and that God had rejected Saul as king. The main moral we had in Tabernacle was not to listen to what others think of us, or even what we think of ourselves, because only God can tell us who we are.

Capture the Degel “Slabdition”

Owen
Age: 10 
Tribe: Levi

Capture the Degel is another way to say Capture the Flag. The difference with the way we did Capture the Degel this year is we tried a new, different version called “Slabdition”. Slabdition rules change it so when you tag somebody, you have to escort them to the jail—otherwise they can “break out of jail” and be free. It also means you can’t throw the flag to your teammate anymore.

We did a bracket competition with all the tribes. The tribe of Levi beat the older cabin—not just once but twice because it was double elimination. The younger cabin we faced in the finals won and we lost. That is how our tribe almost won Capture the Degel Slabdition.

Devotions

Tribe of Simeon

Daniel
Age: 11 
Tribe: Simeon

Hi! My name is Daniel and I am in the tribe of Simeon. Today I will be talking about my cabin. My cabin is the older boy’s cabin. I love it there because we all care for each other. We also have a lot of fun there. We mainly sleep in that cabin but also play games like Uno. We have 8 people in our cabin, so every bunk is full. It sometimes gets crazy but we mainly aren't crazy. We always try to keep our cabin clean.

The counselors take great care of me. They always give us help when we need it. The people in our cabin are named Daniel (which is me), Rafi, Azriel, Gabe, Rhyder, and Judah. Our two counselors are Nacho and Troubadour. We all are friends. Nobody really ever gets mad at each other.

I also like playing silent football even though we have minimal space. Our cabins are split in 2 sections with 4 beds in each one. There are thin walls so there are almost no secrets in our cabin. There are 5 cabins in total—3 boys cabins and 2 girls cabins. I love Camp Gilgal always!

Campfire

Yael
Age: 9
Tribe: Dan

Hi! My name is Yael and I’m in the tribe of Dan. One of my favorite things to do is have campfire, so I’m going to tell you all about our first one.

The first thing we did was MAIL CALL!! Mail Call is when we get letters from our family. Then after mail call, we did BONUS ROUND!! Bonus round is when we get packages from our family and find out what’s inside.

The next thing we did was sing but we didn’t sing just any song, we sang about God. One of the songs was Every Move I Make and those are some of the words of the song.

After singing, S’mores said that we’re going to eat S’mores. My tribe got S’mores first, but I burnt my S’more. Then I made another one and that one also got burned. Then Spot made me one and it was the best S’more I have ever had in my life! Then he taught me how to make it and I gave it to my friend Tovah. She said she really liked it and gave me some candy.

In conclusion, I really like campfire. It gives me a time to worship God and have fun. Okay, I have to go but I hope you had a good time listening.

The Rec Room

Rocco
Age: 10
Tribe: Levi

The Rec Room, also known as the game room, is so so fun because there are a lot of games, like foosball, air hockey, pool (the game), and last but not least, ping pong. My favorite game is pool because it is very fun and competitive, and all skill-based. We always go to the rec room before craft or Hebrew but after Tabernacle. Tabernacle is when we pick a verse from the Bible and learn about it.

There are a lot of other things that we do at camp, but the game room is one of my favorites. What do you do at camps you go to? Are you good at pool? I am not good but not bad at it; I think that I am mid at pool. What is your most favorite game out of pool, foosball, air hockey, or ping pong? I am saying this again, but my favorite is probably pool.

Gaga Ball

Devotions

Judah
Age: 13
Tribe: Simeon

Hi! I am Judah. In the tribe of SIMEON we do “devos”, aka devotions. In devotions we learn a different subject that is related to the message at tabernacle. Last night we were learning about David and Samuel.

In the story of Samuel, he grew up with a very strong faith in God. So one day God told Samuel “to go to the town and see if the man Jesse was there and tell Jesse to bring out his sons so that I can make them King.” Samuel did as the Lord had said. When Jesse brought out his eldest sons, they were all tall and athletic and charming, but God didn’t want them as the King.

Finally one of Jesse’s sons went out and fetched Jesse’s last son (David). David was ruddy and had charming features. God told Samuel, “Anoint this boy for he is the one.” So there, right in front of all his brothers, David was anointed by Samuel.

This story is important to me because, like David, I can feel powerless, but through God David was turned from a shepherd boy to a KING!!

Basketball with Solo

Levy
Age: 8
Tribe: Ephraim

So there were two teams—the Firing Cheetahs and the Flaming Unicorns were the team names. Solo was on the Flaming Unicorns. When the game started, I noticed Solo was at least six or seven inches taller than everybody. When the game started, Solo got the ball. He dribbled and passed it and Eli almost scored. Two minutes later Solo had snagged the ball again and Eli scored a 3-pointer, but then Azriel ran all the way to the end. So, it was 2-5. Then Solo ran to the end, got the ball, and passed it to Rocco and he scored a three-pointer. Then Solo snagged the ball 3 times and Rafi scored two 1-pointers. Then Shai got the ball and dribbled it to the end and threw the ball, but he missed. Then, Eli scored a 2-pointer and then a bunch more people scored 2-pointers. Then Spot was watching the game and Firing Cheetahs asked him to join their team, so he did. Then everyone thought he was gonna dunk but he just pushed the ball up and scored a 1-pointer. In the end, it was 12-23 and Flaming Unicorns won.

Interview with Seastar

Water Balloon Volleyball

Norah
Age: 13
Tribe: Benjamin

If you are wondering why you should come to Camp Gilgal, one of the reasons is for the fun games that we play. One of those games is called water balloon volleyball. This is one of my favorite games at Camp Gilgal, because it involves strategy and teamwork. We play on a volleyball court with sand and a big net. Usually, the person refereeing is either S’mores or Snapple.

The game starts with one tribe on each side of the net. One of the tribes start with a water balloon that weighs about the size of a small watermelon. There is a big plastic tarp that the tribe gathers around. They all lift it off the ground and hold the sides. The short people go in the front (that’s me, haha!), and the tall people go in the back. The water balloon goes in the tarp. The other group that does not have the balloon needs to be ready and alert because soon after the other tribe receives the balloon, the whistle blows, and they shoot the balloon up over the net. The tribe that needs to catch the balloon needs to move around as a team while still holding the tarp so that it can safely catch the balloon.

It’s hard because you have to work as a team and be in sync. Otherwise the balloon will fall on the sand and pop. Sometimes the balloon survives though, and someone has to very carefully pick it up like a baby and put it back in the tarp. Some other possibilities if the balloon doesn't make it into the tarp is that it flies out of bounds and splashes, or it doesn't make it over the net, or it splashes on the net. The game continues until it is down to just two tribes who made it through the last few rounds.

My tribe was in the finals and we were one point away from winning! Unfortunately for us, the other tribe won. Even though we didn’t win, the most important part is that the winning and losing teams shake hands. Water balloon volleyball is a camp experience that I will never forget.

Snack Shack

Micah
Age: 10
Tribe: Levi

Hi! My name is Micah. I am in the tribe of Levi. My topic is the snack bar. Every day I go to the snack bar. I always get a push pop because it lasts a long time!!! I also get a slushy because when it is hot, it cools me down. They sell me my push pops, slushies, starbursts, sour patch kids, lollipops, stuffed bears, necklaces, batteries, flashlights, and sour noodles. When you get your push pop, you will have to save it for FOB so you have a sweet FOB. You also can savor it and have it around everywhere you go. It is small so you can carry it everywhere you go. As you can see, the snack shack is an awesome world of fun stories and a place to go while you are at camp. You should go there every day of camp and have an awesome time.

Skit Night

Ariah
Age: 10
Tribe: Dan

Hi! My name is Ariah. Every year we have skit night. Skit night is a night where we tell a story of the Bible in a short skit. I’m in the tribe of Dan, and my tribe did chapter 5 of the life of Jesus, which was “He is Rizzin”. You might be wondering, “Why are there chapters? It’s usually a random story”. Well, here’s the reason. This year we did something special. We did all the chapters of the life of Jesus.

• The first chapter of Jesus’ life was performed by the tribe of Benjamin, and it was called “Motherhood”. This chapter was about Mary giving birth to Jesus.

• The second chapter of Jesus’ life was acted out by the tribe of Ephraim. It was called “Baby Jesus and the Wise Men”. This chapter was about the wise men traveling to baby Jesus to give him 3 gifts.

• The third chapter of Jesus’ life was played by the tribe of Simeon. It was named “Who’s the Messiah/ The Baptism”. This part of the story is about John the Baptist trying to find the real Messiah and baptize him.

• The fourth section of Jesus’ life was played by the tribe of Levi. It was called “The Betrayal”. It was about Judas betraying Jesus.

• Last, but not least, the last chapter of Jesus’ life was performed by my tribe, the tribe of Dan. It was called “He is Rizzin”. This part was about Jesus’ resurrection.

Overall, Skit night is a fun activity I’m blessed to do every year.

FT (Free Time)

Gabe
Age: 14
Tribe: Simeon

Free Time is one of the best and most fun activities there is at camp. There are so many things to do during free time. The first thing, my favorite, is the pool.

The pool is incredibly fun! We get to swim with friends and play many fun pool games. One day during free time, we had a “Solo Swim Competition”. It was basically just sharks and minnows against Solo. Another day, Azriel and I were at the pool when there were hardly any people and we were doing double dives and just having a lot of fun.

Another great part about FT is the snack shack and Camp Gilgal store. The snack shack is so good and there are so many delicious snacks! My favorite snack is probably the blue bunny ice cream sandwiches.

The Camp Gilgal community likes to just hang out and talk during free time. We also like to play basketball, which is fun. We also play three flags up with a football, which I’m pretty decent at. We could go to the slab during free time as well. There is a Gaga Ball pit in the slab and carpet ball as well. Gaga Ball is a super fun game where you have to hit the ball at people's legs and the last one standing wins. I’ve played a good amount of Gaga Ball so I that helps while I’m in the pit. Carpet Ball is a pretty OG game at Camp Gilgal and it’s pretty fun. I don’t think it’s as good as Gaga Ball but I still enjoy it.

The final free time game I’ll talk about, which is a BIG part of Camp Gilgal, is the game of Silent Football. Everyone loves this game and it’s by far my favorite game at Camp!

Carpet Ball

Silent Football 

Jackson
Age: 9
Tribe: Ephraim

Hi! My name is Jackson. I’m in the tribe of Ephraim. I am writing about silent football. There are some things I like about it. There are some rules...

• First, you can’t talk unless you raise your hand.

• Second, when you talk, you have to call everyone mister.

• Third, when you start the game, you have to say, “tip of the hat, sip of the tea”.

• Fourth, you can do actions that mean different things. The Zuma is when you point your elbow at someone else. The Shmotum is when you reverse the ball to someone else. The shrug does this as well but you can’t shrug a Shmotum. There is also the Thwacka which is when you slap your thigh once or twice or three times.

At the start of the game, one peanut gallerian is chosen to begin the game. They open with the typical phrase. Next, the person chosen does a random action that everyone has to replicate. Silent football is one of my favorite games at camp. My favorite move is the Zuma. Hopefully one day you can play too! One time, a camper shrugged a Shmotum twice! He got banished from that round. Thanks for reading!

Bbboyd and Llllllllllllllllloydd  

Vera
Age: 13
Tribe: Benjamin

Hi! I’m Vera, and I’m going to write about Cabin Inspection. After breakfast, we head to out cabins for cleanup. We have to make sure everything is in perfect shape and not askew, so we don’t offend our cabin inspectors Lllllllllllllllllloydd and Bbboydd, uncle and nephew. There used to be one other cabin inspector—Flloyd—but at the beginning of camp he went on vacation to Alaska. It’s Bbboydd’s first year at camp. He’s quite nervous, and when giving report he sometimes messes up, but he recovers alright. 

Cabin cleanup is a very nerve-wracking time, and in my cabin it’s often very rushed. We want to make sure everything is neat and tidy. Sometimes, Pepper Ezra visits us, and we ask him if our cabin is clean. He usually says “nah”. After lunch, we meet up near the firepits and Snapple gives announcements, then Llllllllllllllllloyd and Bbboydd come out and tell us what our cabins got. We start with 100 points and each infraction equals -5 points. Some people leave Llllllllllllllllloyddd and Bbboydd notes and they read them aloud. We sometime leave them flowers because Llllllllllllllllloyddd and Bbboydd love flowers. A few cabins have “Nailed it!” meaning they had PERFECT cabins. They are always super happy about it. 

More recently, the tribe of Benjamin got one infraction. My sleeping by was pregnant with its bag (the bag that the sleeping bag goes in was hidden inside the sleeping bag), and that confused Llllllllllllllllloyddd and Bbboydd greatly. However, I left a note explaining why there was a lump in my sleeping bag. When we got back, three of us had ducks on our bunks. Little ducks the size of a pea. That’s all for now! Signing off, Vera.

Craziest Day of My Life

Jonah
Age: 10
Tribe: Levi

Hi! My name is Jonah. I am in the tribe of Levi and I am writing about the climbing wall. Anyway, the climbing wall is like the best part of camp. NO, LITERALLY! …ALMOST BETTER THAN M.I.

So this climbing wall gives your mind mixed emotions of happiness and freaking out. It’s like crazy! First, you put on a helmet and put on a harness, which is a little like weird pants. Then they clip you onto a rope. You then have to say, “on belay” and “climbing” and then you’re off! It starts with logs, then you get up to tires, then the craziest part of all – the ladder to the bell.

It was the craziest day of my life because as you climb, you get higher and higher. I’ve never climbed an obstacle course that high! At the halfway point, your arms start to tire out and you don’t know if you can make it. Your whole body is exhausted, but then somehow you reach the bell and everyone cheers! You are exhausted but happy. Five minutes later, you want to do it again. I'm proud of myself for climbing it!

Foosball

Liora
Age: 8
Tribe: Dan

My name is Liora, and I’m eight years old. I’m so excited to tell you about foosball! Foosball is a game in the Rec Room that we usually play when we have a break after Tabernacle, and sometimes before lunch. I like foosball because it’s a good chance to work together with your teammate, and I also like that it’s a bit competitive. My counselor, Toad, and I make a great team to win at foosball!

Spot 

Eli
Age: 10 
Tribe: Levi

Hi! My name is Eli. I am in the tribe of Levi and Spot is my counselor for Camp Gilgal 2025. I’m 10 years old. Many of my family members used to be camp counselors. My dad’s camp name was “Yak”, my grandpa’s was “Tarzan”, my aunt’s was “Rocko”, my uncle’s was “Sonic”, and more and more.

My counselor Spot loses things at camp, including his voice, which is very funny. I like to help him find things. I can also always find him because he has a spot on his head. It’s funny to interact with him. The end.

Troubadour

Azriel
Age: 13
Tribe: Simeon

Hi! My name is Azriel the third and I’m writing about my favorite counselor (besides Spot). He is my cabin leader this year and so far is my favorite. Troubadour is very funny and never runs out of stories. I feel very attached to him through God and music.

Troubadour is very good at playing the guitar and singing. The other day I made a good memory with Troubadour and Rocco when we played basketball with Paws and Tempo. Troubadour is very flexible and is happy to do things all the time.

Today I made another good memory when we made a drawing of a buff, patriotic guy named Chadd. One of Troubadour’s favorite kinds of music is Meth-Rock. His favorite color is Dark Green. He said his number one favorite hobby is video games and his second favorite hobby is reading books. He likes playing video games on his steam deck. His favorite movie is “Lord of the Rings”. His favorite car is a 1999 Honda CRV.

Pool Day

Ela
Age: 11
Tribe: Benjamin

Hi my name is Ela and I’m in the tribe of Benjamin. Going to the pool is one of my favorite parts of Camp Gilgal. Just jumping into the pool and feeling the water against my swimsuit makes me so happy.

This week, I watched Solo’s swim challenge. It was fun to watch. It also looked pretty hard. The best time to go to the pool is during the hot days of camp. We had to take a swim test. It was difficult, but I passed.

Jumping in the pool is exciting, especially when it’s really cold and you have to get used to the water. I like doing cannon balls into the water and pencil jumps. We also played a game where we jump in the water like the person whose name is called. We once did it like Bbboydd, our cabin inspector, and I looked disheveled.

I really love swimming. Watching the water ripple makes me feel so calm. It’s really funny how Ezra and Ezra keep dunking Steve (Ezra’s stuffed dragon), but they also threw him over the railing and lost him.

My favorite thing to do at the pool is play mermaids. I think the pool is one of my favorite parts of camp. To be in the pool is such a treat for me because I don’t get to to do it often.

Snack Shack 

Eli
Age: 10
Tribe: Benjamin

The snack shack is the best place in Camp Gilgal to get iced tea, milkshakes, Italian sodas, sodas, Gatorade, ice cream, chips, sparkling water, and snow cones. My favorite thing from the snack shack is Sprite and Gatorade. We have the snack shack during free time.

I get my money from the bank to go to the snack shack. Then I have to wait in line. Then I have to wait for my order, that does not take long to get.

My friend Jonah says he likes the mint chip chocolate milkshakes. My cousin, Rhyder likes the Italian soda in the mango flavor. One of the people in the tribe of Reuben, named Judah, likes the nerd clusters strips. S’mores likes the coffee and cookies milkshake. Rocco likes the chocolate and peanut butter milkshake and so does Nacho.

Capture the Degel

Shai
Age: 8
Tribe: Ephraim 

Hi, I'm Shai! Today I’m talking about Capture the Degel. My tribe is Ephraim. We won the game! Here are the rules. If you get tagged, you have to go to the jail circle. The way to win the game is to capture the degel. To get out of the jail circle, someone who is not tagged has to go to the jail and scream, “Jail break!” If you cross the line, you can get tagged! I love Capture the Degel because it’s fun, it’s cool, and it’s energetic. Our entire tribe got a flag!