Events - תנועת הצופים

Year Commencement Field Trips

nnThe Scouts Movementu2019s year commencement field trips (known also as YCFT) are held annually between September and November (in accordance with each chapteru2019s plan) in large camping sites from the Dan to Eilat.nnApproximately 60,000 of the Movementu2019s members (fourth through twelfth graders) take part in the field trips from all chapters across the country. These trips last from one to two days over a weekend.nnThe field trips are operated by hired salaried staff as well as by senior members from the chaptersu2019 older groups. Guidance is carried out solely by the ninth through twelfth grade group counselors.nnAll of the field trips are coordinated with and approved by all of the relevant official bodies. A preparatory field trip is held for the adult and senior personnel for each field trip. During the field trip, participants review a variety of educational content based on the Movementu2019s guides program, the u201cScoutu2019s Journeyu201dnnAdditionally, participants experience group and individual challenges that challenge them to reach beyond their daily comfort zone and thereby contribute to a further level of development in their personal and scouting lives.n

Chanukah Field Trips

nnThe Scouts Movementu2019s traditional Chanukah field trips take place in Israelu2019s southern region, from the Craters Areas down to the Eilat Mountains in the south. Approximately 12,000 of the chaptersu2019 senior group members participate in these field trips, which last three to four days in the field for 10th and 11th grades and four days for 12th graders.nnThe field trips are managed by the Movementu2019s headquarters and by salaried staff from among the administrators throughout the Movement. Guidance during the field trips is provided by senior chapter counselors and Service Year participants. All of the field trips are coordinated with and approved by all relevant official bodies In addition, a preparatory field trip is held for the adult and senior personnel for each field trip.nnDuring the field trips, the members learn about the role of an adult in society, the bond between man and nature, and Jewish and Israeli identity. Additionally, participants experience group and individual challenges that challenge them to reach beyond their daily comfort zone and thereby contribute to a further level of development in their personal and scouting lives.n

Purimon

nnThe Purimon is one of the Movementu2019s flagship projects, which takes place on Purim. As part of the Purimon, each chapter holds a Purim Fair for chapter members which is also open to the general public. The fair is characterized by rides and entertainment stations (such as ferris wheel, pirate ship, monkey town, slide, carousel, etc.), activity stations, competitions, etc. The Purimon is constructed and operated by the older group members, assisted by the chapteru2019s adolescent group members. At the Purimon, the chapter members and residents of the neighborhood where it is located enjoy together one of the peak moments of scouting activity, in which all of the chapter members take part. Scouts members take full responsibility for all aspects of the Purimon, from the design stage, which includes engineering consultation and obtaining preliminary permits for buildings, through constructing the site by the chapter, and up to production and operation of the event itself, including its dismantling.n

Passover Field Trips

nnThe Scouts Movementu2019s Passover field trips are held annually the week before the seder in field conditions at large camping sites from the Dan to Eilat. Approximately 60,000 of the Movementu2019s members from all the chapters s across the country take part in these trips.nnThe field trips range between two camping days for the young groups (fourth through sixth grades) held within a chapter framework and four camping days for adolescent groups (seventh through ninth grades) within a leadership framework.nnThe field trips are operated by hired salaried staff as well as by senior members from the chaptersu2019 older groups. Guidance is carried out solely by the ninth through twelfth grade group counselors.nnAll of the field trips are coordinated with and approved by all of the relevant official bodies. A preparatory field trip is held for the adult and senior personnel for each field trip. During the field trip, participants review a variety of educational content based on the Movementu2019s guides program, the u201cScoutu2019s Journeyu201dnnAdditionally, participants experience group and individual challenges that challenge them to reach beyond their daily comfort zone and thereby contribute to a further level of development in their personal and scouting lives.n

Scout Day

nnScout Day is the highlight event during the scouting year when chapter members are required to demonstrate the scouting skills they acquired over the year and pass the certification exam for their scouting rank (according to age groups). There are five scouting areas in which a member must demonstrate skill: field and nature, F, laboring, camping, and first aid. Upon completion of the certification exam, the members are given their scouting rank (in order): Nitzan Rank (fourth grade), Third Rank (fifth grade), Second Rank (sixth grade), First Rank (seventh grade), Scout Rank (eighth grade).n

Summer Camps

nnThe Scouts Movementu2019s summer camps are traditionally held every year in July at several locations nationwide, from Maginim Forest (Carmi Yosef) in the south up to Limonim Forest (Tzfat) in the north. In total, the Movement operates camps in six forests simultaneously over three cycles.nnApproximately 65,000 of the Movementu2019s members participate in the summer camps from all chapters across the country within a leadership framework.nnThe summer camps last between three days for younger members and up to nine days for the older group members. The camps are run by permanent and temporary hired personnel who are trained by qualified parties within and outside the Movement.nnDuring the camp, the participants experience the u201cworld of childrenu201d in which they construct their own accommodations and other facilities, hold unique activities dedicated to them, and eat, live and breathe the forest. This is all carried out with the dedicated assistance of the older group members who guide and coordinate activities for the younger members.nnAll of the camps are coordinated with and approved by all of the relevant official bodies. Business licenses are obtained for all of the camps, as are certificates from the Ministries of Health and Education and the National Firefighting Department.nnThe participants experience group and individual challenges that challenge them to reach beyond their daily comfort zone and thereby contribute to a further level of development in their personal and scouting lives.n

Counselorsu2019 Course for Ninth Graders

nnDuring the activity year, the ninth grade members undergo a counselorsu2019 course in which they learn guidance skills, how to adapt activities to various populations, characteristics of the guided age, the Scout guidance teachings (u201cScoutu2019s Journeyu201d), and more. Upon completion of the training year, the group members undergo a concluding ninth gradersu2019 course, held for about one week during the summer months, during which they summarize the knowledge learned throughout the year as well as practice what they have learned. After completing the course, the members obtain the coveted certification and become counselors in the Scouts Movement. Later, they are assigned a group of young Scout members whom they will guide throughout the year. In this way, they become engaged in educational endeavors and participate in educating a generation of the Movementu2019s members.n