REPORTING for CGISPI WEEK 1

Report By: Camper Andy Frederick, Age 12

Monday
Today at CGISPI, the campers got to learn how to surf. With the help of surfing instructor Dan and the help of his team, all of the campers learned to surf. Not one camper did not learn how to surf that day. After that, the campers headed out to the pool, and played some volley ball in the pool. Once that was over, it was time for lunch. During lunch, stories were told about ancient Israel. Next, the campers were in for a real treat, banana boating. Once that was over, the campers headed back to campus to have dinner, to hear a story, and to go to sleep.

Tuesday
Today at CGISPI the campers started off their day by going back to Dan and his team of surfers to surf. Many kids started to master how to catch huge waves. Once that was over, the campers washed off their feet and headed to the soccer court of the synagogue here at South Padre Island. Many kids scored goals, and it was a great game. After that the campers had to go get something to eat, and then the campers had rest time. Once rest time was over, the campers jumped into the pool and played water polo.

Wednesday
Today at CGISPI it was back to the beach for another day of surfing. There was a competition to see who could get the biggest wave. After that the campers walked down to the pool on the beach and played water volleyball. Once that was over the campers headed home for lunch. After lunch was rest time, as usual. But, instead of going to water polo, the campers got to go to the sea turtle center. While there, an employee explained the different types of sea turtles, and why sea turtles are endangered. At the sea turtle center there were many hurt sea turtles. But, while there, the employee said that there would be a baby sea turtle release on the beach. He showed pictures and talked about turtles instincts. After that the campers headed to the 7.99 store and rented to golf carts. The two counselors took the campers almost until the end of the island along the beach. Overall, there and back took two and a half hours. Once that was over the campers headed back to the beach, had dinner, and finished off their day with a bond fire.

Thursday
Today at CGISPI some “lucky” campers got up at 6:00 a.m. and went to watch baby sea turtles be released. It was a cool experience. Afterwards the campers headed back to camp grounds for breakfast, and went to Air Padre, a kite boarding, wakeboarding, and kayaking place. Campers split up into two groups. Some went wakeboarding, others went kayaking. The campers that went kayaking kayaked over one mile. The wake boarders also set a goal to get everyone to be able to do it. Afterwards the campers headed toward camp grounds to have lunch. The campers then jumped in the pool for water polo.

Friday
Today at CGISPI the campers woke up, ate breakfast, and the groups switched off. Some campers did wake boarding, and some campers did kayaking. After that the campers went to have lunch. The campers then had rest time. After rest time it was time for the pool. Once the game of water polo finished, the campers headed to Wal-Mart across the street to prepare for Shabbat. The campers then prayed, ate dinner, and went to sleep.

Saturday/Shabbat
Today at CGISPI the campers woke up, prayed, and ate breakfast. The campers were then divided into teams for color war. Color war is when two teams compete against each other to see who wins the grand prize. During that day the campers put on a play, had relay races, and had food races. The team names were Jewish Pride, and Ahavat Yisrael. Once Shabbat was over, the campers headed to the light house in port Isabel and took some great pictures. After that it was time to head back to camp grounds to go to sleep.

Sunday
Today at CGISPI the campers took a class on sand castle building. Many of the campers learned how to make windows and stairs in sand castles. Once that was over the campers went to a special show of pirates. The campers went onto the pirate ship the Black Dragon and took an adventure throughout South Padre Island. While on the ship all of the campers saw dolphins. Each dolphin surfaced and went back to go swimming. After the pirate ship, the campers went to camp grounds. The campers then were told that they were going to an overnight on the beach. It was an amazing experience. The campers at the beach went skim boarding, swimming, built a fire, and had dinner.