Three amazing fun days were held for Youth Futures children from Nazareth Illit at the end of July.
The "Gateway Days" program was attended by children entering 7th grade.

The aim was to lay the groundwork for YF children from various schools prior to the opening of the school year - allowing them to get to know the new trustees and, naturally, forming a new Youth Futures group filled with team spirit. 

Gateway opened with the trustees and children introducing themselves to each other and playing icebreaker games and team games - in order to get acquainted and stimulate cooperation, mutual assistance and teamwork.  The children and trustees continued with a trip to "The Farmers House" in Be'er Yakov, where they played ODT games. 

As Gateway continued, the emphasis shifted to group-building, dealing with transitions, and a conversation regarding the upcoming year.  The medium for this was a day of sports activities held at the municipal park - The team of trustees led the children through various activities and then guided a group discussion on the nature of the transition from elementary to middle school. 
To cap things off, the newly formed group celebrated the end of Gateway Days by traveling for a day of fun at Luna Gal.

The children and the YF team truly enjoyed the three days, reporting how they felt empowered and enthusiastic with the new group.

One can say that each side profited from Gateway:  For experienced trustees, this was a chance to say goodbye and pass the baton over to the new trustees.  For new trustees, this was a chance to meet and get to know the new children they'd be working with as a group and to help prepare them for entering middle school.

Thus Gateway Days were crowned a success.  Both staff and children are anticipating applying what they've learned for the upcoming year.