Color War: A Week of Play and Sportsmanship

Some things are just staples of camp life; friendship bracelets, archery, and music. Color War is one of those classic camp traditions that is loved all over the nation. Every year, we put on our facepaint, come up with team songs, and get ready to win! Color War is always something we look forward to, after all, we've been doing it since 1971! We like to think that we’ve got it down to a science; the Color War heads Melissa Hefferan and Ryan Egnaczyk certainly do. 

“I loved Color War as a kid, so it’s really rewarding to get to plan the best week of camp as an adult,” said Melissa. “Not only does it give kids a fun break from routine, it’s a massive learning opportunity as well. Kids get to develop and work on new skills, specifically their sportsmanship! I love watching what our hard work turns into.”

Part of the fun of Color War is we keep it a secret up until “Breakout” on Monday afternoon. No one knows the colors or the themes -- not even some of the counselors. We gathered on the field, waiting with bated breath to find out our teams. In a flurry of confetti canons and capes, our team captains (literally) leapt onto the scene! (Our teams were the Blue Tidalwaves versus the Red Heatwaves.) Our amazing team captains really showed off their ruach, spirit, and really got the campers excited. It takes a certain type of person to wear tutus, capes and masks and have fun doing it -- aren’t we lucky that they’re at Camp Kef?

During Color War, we had so many challenges that it would be easier to write about what we didn't do! We strive to have something for each type of camper; races, trivia, arts and crafts, team building challenges and more. We, of course, had classic sports challenges like tug of war and a dodgeball tournament (an absolute fan favorite). Some of our older campers also put their engineering and building skills to the test and made cardboard boats. To the rest of camp's delight, the campers then raced in their boats in the pool! Campers learned and performed team chants (parodies of “Best Day of My Life” and “I Gotta A Feeling”) and then decorated their awesome banners. Younger campers played silly games like “Steal the Bagel” and even had a color parade. Every camper got a chance to show off their strengths, and add some new skills to their toolset!

As Melissa mentioned, Color War is a chance for sportsmanship to shine. Campers learn to root for their peers and how to work cohesively as a team. In activities like relay races and banner decorating, teamwork is essential! While the Keflet and K’Ton Ton bunks are all the same color, Gan and up are split into either color. Despite being on different teams than their friends, campers were still cheering for one another, and sitting and playing together at lunch, swim and on the playground. Our kehillah doesn’t falter!

Even though the Red Heatwaves won, we were all winners during Color War. When else do we get to incorporate play with competition and team building? We’re so proud of our campers for challenging themselves to go above and beyond while still looking out for one another. We’re also so proud of our counselors for bringing their energy and playing just as hard as the campers! We all had so much fun, and can’t wait until next year's Color War.

Some of the Red Heatwave's captains at Breakout!

Teamwork at play during a relay race!

Our Chalutzim campers working hard on the Blue Team's banner.