The excitement of MAC carried straight into Day 2 as campers woke up ready to represent their teams with pride. From the moment they walked into breakfast, it was clear that Camp Coleman had been transformed.
Overnight, the Chadar (dining hall) had become the jungles of Madagascar. Thanks to the incredible creativity of our Arts Team, every corner of the dining hall was filled with colorful murals of Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, King Julien, Mort, and the mischievous penguins. Bamboo lined the room, tropical decorations hung from the ceiling, and the space was completely transformed into a jungle adventure. Campers couldn’t help but stop, look around, and admire all of the incredible details that brought this year’s MAC theme to life.
The dining hall was also divided right down the middle, with one side proudly representing the Red Alexes and the other cheering for the Blue Martys. Team spirit was impossible to miss as campers proudly wore their colors and gathered with teammates before another exciting day of competition.
After breakfast, campers met with their teams to go over the day’s schedule, practice cheers, and get pumped up for the events ahead. The energy was contagious as captains rallied their teammates and every camper prepared to give it their all.
Throughout the day, campers rotated through a variety of MAC activities and competitions, earning points for their teams while showing incredible teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship. Every challenge brought new opportunities to work together, solve problems, and cheer one another on, reminding everyone that MAC is about much more than competition—it’s about community.
Lunch brought one of MAC’s most unique traditions: Silent Lunch.
As hundreds of campers filled the Chadar, something remarkable happened.
Silence.
The dining hall, usually buzzing with laughter and conversation, became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Since teams lose points for talking during the meal, campers communicated entirely through hand motions, exaggerated facial expressions, and silent gestures. Friends signaled for the ketchup, passed water pitchers with a smile, and celebrated without making a sound. It was both hilarious and incredibly impressive to watch an entire camp work together to protect every possible point for their team.
After a well-earned Menucha (rest period), campers gathered in the Harris Center for another MAC favorite: MAC-a-Bowl.
Inspired by classic trivia competitions, MAC-a-Bowl challenged campers’ knowledge of Camp Coleman traditions, Jewish life, pop culture, and this year’s MAC storyline. Teams huddled together, eagerly discussing answers before buzzing in, while the Harris Center erupted with cheers after every correct response. The competition was fast-paced, exciting, and filled with plenty of laughs as campers showcased not only their knowledge but also their teamwork.
While competitions were taking place throughout the day, another group of campers was quietly preparing for one of MAC’s most anticipated events: Rope Burn.
Selected campers spent hours gathering wood, learning proper fire-building techniques, and practicing their strategy for the evening’s challenge. Behind the scenes, they worked together with focus and determination, knowing that every piece of wood and every minute of preparation could make the difference when the competition began.
As the sun began to set, the entire camp gathered on the Lower Athletic Field for Rope Burn.
The excitement was electric.
The Red Alexes and Blue Martys lined opposite sides of the field, waving banners, chanting cheers, and filling the air with nonstop energy. As the event began, members of each Rope Burn team sprinted back and forth across the field, racing to collect wood before bringing it back to their teammates. Working quickly and efficiently, campers carefully built towering teepees of wood before igniting their fires.
The entire camp watched anxiously as flames slowly climbed higher and higher toward the suspended ropes. Every camper was on their feet, cheering as loudly as they could for their team. The race remained incredibly close from start to finish, with both fires burning steadily as anticipation grew by the second.
Then, in one dramatic moment, the Blue Martys’ fire reached the rope first.
The rope snapped.
Blue erupted into celebration as campers jumped, hugged one another, and cheered with excitement after earning a huge victory for their team. Meanwhile, the Red Alexes applauded the incredible effort of both Rope Burn teams, proving once again that determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship are what make MAC so special.
With two unforgettable days already behind us, the excitement is only beginning. As campers continue to compete, cheer, and grow together, one thing is certain—MAC 2026 is shaping up to be a week that no one will ever forget.
