Spring 2022 | Volume 14, No. 2
A Summer of Firsts By Rabbi Dan Utley, Incoming Director
Many amazing stories begin with: “My first summer at camp I…” Anyone who attended an overnight camp in their youth carries with them vivid memories of that first summer away from home: The start of a lifelong friendship, the first time in a canoe, mastering the climbing tower and more. And, in truth, some of those first camp memories we might also wish to leave behind such as homesickness or an embarrassing fall into a mud puddle.
enters second grade next fall, and our family’s first summer at Camp Wise as I begin this journey with you as director. There is so much gratitude in all of these milestones. For in each of these firsts, lies an opportunity to create an amazing memory with a new community of friends. Each turn is a window that opens to new bonds, deeper connections and care for one another.
My first summer at an overnight camp, I rolled out of my top bunk in my sleep and fractured my wrist! Luckily, I have no recollection of the fall and it didn’t hurt much, but I vividly remember the bonus trip to get ice cream on the way back from getting my bright yellow cast. My camp friends from that summer of 1992 still remember signing our cabin name, “The Cheerios,” on the cast with permanent marker. Only at camp can a broken bone turn into a community building activity!
Judaism guides us to notice and appreciate the passage of time and mark key moments in our lives, especially when doing something for the first time. We celebrate each new experience by singing the words of the Shehechaynu blessing: Thank you, God, for giving us life, sustaining us, and helping us reach this new season. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehechayanu v’kiyamanu, v’higiyanu, laz’man ha-zeh. At camp, our place of sacred belonging, it’s all our caring work to sustain one another and help each other reach new moments of accomplishment and growth. With so much potential this summer, just maybe we’ll walk along the paths of the Home of Happiness singing this prayer every hour!
Summer 2022 holds the potential for many memorable first times at Camp Wise! It will be the first summer for over 130 campers and the first summer for over 45 international staff members, including 20 Israelis. It will be the first summer for my oldest son Eitan, who
Reflecting back on that first summer, now 30 years later, I’m relieved that we use solid safety guardrails on all of the top bunks – everyone’s beds are safe and secure. And, despite my accident, I’ll always hold onto that proud moment when my friends helped me turn a
1
camp wise news | spring 2022
ABOVE: Rabbi Dan and family – wife Rachel with sons Eitan, Judah and Benji BELOW: Shabbat at Camp Wise
bad experience into something filled with joy and humor. My prayer for this exciting summer of firsts: May we have the insight and patience to be each other’s caring guides for this historic 115th summer. Whether it’s your first or your 21st – may we help one another make it the very best!
Table of Contents Shana Says......................................................2 Staff Spotlight................................................2 Alumni Happenings....................................3 Words of the Wise........................................4 Supervisor Spotlight...................................8 Life Cycle Events...........................................9 Todah Rabah............................................... 10 Winter Weekend Recap......................... 11 Summer Programs....................Back page