Dear CW Families and Friends,

This last week was jam-packed with exciting activities!! The weather continued to stay wacky but the ruach (spirit) of camp didn’t let the weather get in the way of our fun. The week kicked off with our Noar campers leaving camp for more trips; the 9th graders had a beach day on Lake Erie complete with a cookout dinner and jet ski rides while the 8th graders went to the Akron JCC for an overnight before heading to Kent State University to take on some outdoor adventure activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and high ropes. Camp kicked off our Independence Day celebration a day early with fireworks on July 3rd and the excitement continued through July 4th. The day finally ended with a Jurassic themed carnival, the T-Rex water balloon toss was definitely a fan-favorite!

As the session closes, we celebrate the many accomplishments of our campers. We joined together for several programs this week which featured the talents of many. From Saturday night’s talent show, to Tuesday’s performing art showcase, and Thursday’s production of High School Musical, I have been filled with pride as I see each camper take the stage. While it was clear to see how campers developed confidence as they shined on stage, this is something that we see each day at Camp Wise. Saturday night when we join for CW Night we will be once again be reminded of how far we have come as a camp community in these four weeks. CW Night marks the end of our session complete with memory slideshows, opportunities to view the work of the campers in the video chug and podcast chug, special camp songs, and speeches from each village. Throughout the session, campers learn to appreciate their Judaism, discover new talents within themselves, and grow to be more confident individuals. Thank you for seeing the Camp Wise Magic and allowing your child the opportunity to experience it for themselves.

Tonight, as we head into our final Shabbat and I reflect on the summer, I find myself filled with gratitude. This week in the Torah we read about Zelophechad’s daughters. Zelophechad’s daughters are upset because their father’s land will be lost to the family since he has no sons to inherit it. They step outside of their tent and the private sphere that women normally inhabit to ask Moses why they, as daughters, cannot inherit the land. Moses consults God, who recognizes the wisdom of Zelophechad’s daughters and changes the laws of inheritance, granting them their father’s land. When Zelophechad’s daughters spoke up they were not only speaking out for themselves, but they had the entire community in mind. The change they wanted to make would benefit generations to come, which is why our core value this week is Clal Yisrael – The Unity of the Jewish People. As Solel prepared for their special Shabbat – their final Shabbat as campers – they discussed with Rabbi Shana that sometimes it’s hard to make a choice, even if you feel really strongly about it, when the rest of your friends are choosing differently. This can be true with regard to one’s opinions as well as one’s actions. There are times, however, when we must simply stand up for what we know is right, even when it’s hard. Through their years at camp, this is something that our campers who are now in Solel have not only learned, but that they have demonstrated. We are all looking forward to seeing our Solel campers show leadership as they take over staff responsibilities during our Friday night spirit circle, Saturday afternoon Shabbatones (band) performance, and as they share stories of their camp memories for all of camp.

While your campers will be sad to go home, I want to remind you that there are several opportunities to share the Camp Wise magic with the entire family –  Family Fun Day: August 19, Women’s Weekend: August 24-26, & Family Camp: August 31-September 2. For more information visit our website (http://www.campwise.org/) or call the CW office!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rachel

C1

C2

C2 have started a prank war, the other day they got their socks super stinky down at the lake and then left them outside the door of a cabin to prank them, Ewwww! But they’ve also had plenty of fun walking down the red carpet and making movie scripts for Chalutzim goes to Hollywood! I know they’ll be sad to say goodbye to Camp and each other on Sunday!

C3

Over the past week, C3 has had a blast. On our overnight, all the boys set up their tents together, made s’mores, and even won the trivia tournament against the other cabins! We have also done other fun things like go on the giant swing (a large ropes course element where all the kids pull a rope which raises one of the kids to then be swung around the forest – don’t worry, it’s safe!). Lastly, our cabin partook in a late night pool birthday party which included diving, floaties, and even chipwhiches! As the session comes to an end all of the kids are wishing they signed up for 7 weeks, but are making the most out of the few days they have left at the home of happiness.

Anisfield Day Camp C4/C5

It has been an amazing week here at Camp Wise for our Anisfield campers. This week they have had the chance to experience the best camp has to offer including tie dye, horseback riding, outdoor cooking and jet skiing. They also watched the Preforming Arts showcase and were dazzled by an outstanding Fourth of July fireworks display! We will miss them when they go home but hope to see many of them back at camp next summer!

C6

Lots of the C6 girls were on stage for the performing arts showcase this week, and dazzled in the Camp wise production of High School Musical. They were also spotted swinging through the trees down at the ropes course and made a cute plaque for their cabin! They’ve had an amazing summer at camp and we can’t wait to see them back for lots more fun next year!

C7

C7 had an exciting third week! We worked on their plaque as a unified cabin, which will hang inside our cabin for many summers to come. We also worked together during low ropes to conquer challenges and cooled off in the pool and with the hose during free swim. We made bird feeders in teva and shakshuka in outdoor cooking. As well, after dinner, C7 enjoyed programs such as veggie night, a Hollywood premiere, and a slumber party from when the boys were on their overnight. We also pranked the boys’ cabin, starting a legendary prank war that keeps the girls excited and on their toes! We can’t wait to see what the last few days of camp will bring!

C8

This week, C8 had many opportunities to show their amazing talents on stage! As a cabin, the C8 girls choreographed and performed a dance to the This is the Greatest Show for the camp wide talent show! Next was the preforming arts showcase where we showed off the dances and songs on guitar that we learned in our chugim throughout the summer. C8’s performances wrapped up with the camp-wide play (High School Musical) as the girls were integral parts of the chemistry club and basketball team! We really have taken advantage of our last week at camp and are sad to say goodbye so soon!

O1

This week O1 ventured beyond the Chadar for our meals. Their mighty adventure brought them to the lake where they enjoyed quesadillas and went tubing and rode around on the jet ski for the second time.

O2

The force beckoned O2 into the moadon this week for a Star Wars cabin movie night! Between chipwiches, stargazing, and making worm farms, fun has been everywhere in O2!

O5

This week O5 had a special celebration. After a spectacular fireworks display, their cabin returned to the soccer field to catch fireflies. They then chowed down on some delicious ooey-gooey s’mores.

O6

O6 traveled across the globe to the holy land of Israel in the Israeli culture cabin activity. They danced all the way from Tel Aviv to Haifa; learned so much and can’t wait to show off their new Israeli dance moves to all of camp.

O7

This week O7 brought their creative minds together to make our cabin plaque. Everyone really enjoyed this cabin activity and got to all put their thoughts and ideas and a unique spin onto their plaque.

O8

O8 got a special surprise this week when Ryan Singer, their favorite counselor from Noar, joined our cabin for story time! They sat and listened with wide eyes and bated breath as he retold his favorite misadventures from his time as a camper and on staff. Their laughter filled the 15 year forest as they enjoyed the tales that would no doubt inspire mischief of their own.

O9

This week O-9 bonded through cabin time dance and songs sessions during the rain! On Wednesday they enjoyed special food surprises planned with their sister cabin 0-8! Along with a special Friday night rave with 0-5!!!

N1

N1 have had an amazing week full of adventures both in and out of camp.  They started with the ropes course on camp, and ended by taking what they learnt to the climbing facilities at Kent State!

N2

N2 had a bonus round of jet-skiing on the 4th July!  They also crushed it kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Mogadore Lake on the eighth grade overnight.  As we head into the final days of summer, the boys are looking forward to finally challenging N1 in night time basketball.  Will they win?  Watch this space!

N3

The boys of N3 had a ton of fun in Teva, where they took inspiration from Maccabiah captain and counselor Rafi and learned to build the perfect fire!  Then they headed over to ropes, where they got the opportunity to conquer the high ropes course with N4.

N4

This week, N4 have enjoyed some real cabin bonding time, which involved the counselors sneaking everyone out to the covered gym to play late night basketball!  We also faced our fears on the high ropes course with N3.

N5

N5 had a great time having a dance party and chipwiches for Alexa’s birthday celebration!  We also had a fantastic experience on our overnight trip to Kent State, where many campers excelled in paddleboarding, kayaking and rock climbing!

N6

N6 have had a great week, starting with a program on inclusivity which has made the cabin feel like a real family.  The cabin accompanied the other eighth graders on a trip to Kent State, and especially enjoyed the indoor ropes and rock climbing activity and evening program which involved creating skits about their counselors!  The dance showcase was on Tuesday, and everyone is super proud of Baylee and Maddie who took part.

N7

N7 have had a crazy fun week!  We kicked off with the vertical playground at the start of the week, and ended with an incredible day at Lake Erie, jet-skiing and swimming and enjoying a cookout.  We’re just about to head up to the 4th July carnival, and we cannot wait!

N8

This week for N8 was a special one – we caught fireflies in a jar for Alyssa’s birthday!  We spent a rainy afternoon playing cards in the cabin and even wrote some awesome time capsule letters for future N8 campers!  As well as this, we spent a day at Lake Erie, tubing, jet-skiing and enjoying the sun.  We don’t want summer to end!

Solel

In the final week of camp Solel had their last trip to Columbus! On this trip Solel went to the clippers game and watched them bring home a win! Also on the trip we had the opportunity to go bowling and spend some time together at a beautiful park where we ate lunch. The next day Solel had the chance to help out the environment by really embracing our value of tikkun olam! Currently Solel is prepping for their final Shabbat at camp wise! We can’t believe this session has gone by so fast, and can’t wait to make these last couple of days the best ones yet.