Fall 2022 | Volume 14, No. 3
WORDS FROM THE WISE
A Brighter, Kinder Community By Rabbi Dan Utley, Director Latkes, sour cream, applesauce, chocolate gelt, doughnuts…yum! Who doesn’t love Chanukah? Fun fact: the word Chanukah is short for the Hebrew phrase chanukat ha-bayit meaning “dedication of the house.” This refers to the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after they liberated Jerusalem from the Greeks in ancient times. We celebrate their victory and our freedom of religion by lighting the Chanukah menorah and eating treats. We also share the idea of light overcoming darkness and injustice in our world. I wonder: what if Chanukah happened during camp? I think we’d need a massive menorah! At Camp Wise, we witness light each day– the joy in a camper’s eyes, the brilliance of the summer sun, the sparks of a campfire and, most of all, the unique gifts we each bring to the camp community. For years, our tradition of “village candle” exudes the metaphor of light. Village
Candle is given to a camper who has carried the positive values of the Camp Wise community. They’ve demonstrated kindness and leadership, overcome challenges, brought people together and helped the community become the Home of Happiness. But just as lighting only one candle would fall short of celebrating the fullness of the Chanukah miracle, choosing only one village candle at the end of the session seems to underrepresent the many kindnesses our campers do for one another each day. As Camp Wise moves into an era of growth and envisioning the future of our physical space, we are ever focused on enriching the experience of being a camper and staff member. In Summer 2023, we will build upon the values represented by the village candle honor by adding a daily framework that reinforces positive behaviors and choices. Intentionally and publicly we plan to celebrate the small actions of kindness among campers and staff each day. Many sparks together become a brilliant light of community. continued on page 3
Give The Everlasting Gift of Camp This Chanukah. Register by Dec 31 and your camper will get a limited edition Camp Wise Shalom Hoodie! Already registered? We have you covered too. Refer a friend who registers by Dec 31 and you will get a hoodie.
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camp wise news | fall 2022
WE LIKE IT, WE LOVE IT, WE WANT MORE OF IT!
Camp Wise Awarded Mental Health Grant Increasing our Reach for Camper Care Camp Wise has been awarded a $36,000 grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yedid Nefesh initiative for mental, emotional, social and spiritual health (MESSH) at camp. This grant is generously funded by The Marcus Foundation. In an initiative spearheaded by Community Care Manager Amy Kalk and Director Dan Utley, Camp Wise will receive funding over four years to develop a new leadership track in our seasonal staff focused specifically on camper care. Third-year camp staff, who may already apply to be programmers or specialist supervisors, may now apply to be camper care specialists for specific age groups. In addition to deepening our staff capabilities, the grant supports wellness activities and mental health “zen” space for staff, increased marketing and additional budget for staff training.
Table of Contents
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Trip Highlights...............................................2 Shana Says......................................................3 New Adventure Ropes Course ...............4 Alumni Spotlight..........................................5 Staff Scholarships.........................................5 Life Cycle Events...........................................6 Todah Rabah..................................................7 Maxine Middleton........................................7 Summer Programs....................back page