Summer Program Highlights

After over 680 days, Camp Wise welcomed campers back to the Home of Happiness. While things looked different this summer, the energy was stronger than ever! Wearing masks did not stop us from standing on our benches and cheering with all the ruach (spirit) in the world. We feel so lucky that we were able to have a completely COVID free summer. While it took a lot of reading, planning, learning, mask wearing, and hand washing – we did it! And we could not have done it without your support. In our Chardon, Ohio bubble, we brought back the magic that is Camp Wise. We had two amazing Maccabiahs, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Session I) and Seasons (Session II). We held our first ever Rainy Day Olympics and were even found cheering during breakfast! Our outdoor dining tent was quickly renamed “Flavortown” and was the epicenter of camp. And with over 20 Israel Shlichim (ambassadors), lots of ruach and Israeli spirit was felt throughout camp. CHALUTZIM (GRADES 2-5) Chalutzim campers and staff brought so much energy and silliness to the village this summer! While they may be our youngest campers, they stepped up to the plate and competed against Ohalim in a lip sync battle. From screaming their heads off while on the giant swing, to bonding with their Solel buddies, their days were filled with fun, friendships, and lots of laughter. OHALIM (GRADES 6-7) Our Ohalim campers were out and about in the village more than ever this summer. From hanging out in hammocks, playing baseball on the Ohalim rec field, to roof ball in the village, there was never a dull moment! Ohalim campers had a blast at their Blue Man Group paint party and loved caring for their “pod-babies.” Our Ohalim campers were also master pranksters, pulling lighthearted pranks on other cabins in the village. NOAR (GRADES 8-9) Noar was sure on fire this summer! From paint parties, to funerals for Johnny Big Boots (a fictional character) the fun never stopped! Our Noar campers loved hanging out in their hammock area and played lots of spike ball. In Noar our campers reached new heights on the high ropes course and bonded during late night cabin talks.

SOLEL (GRADE 10) This year’s Solel was one to remember! While they didn’t have the typical Solel experience of travel and trips, the Solel campers truly made this summer their own. Session I loved star gazing on the deck listening to Pluto Projector. Session II worked to solve a murder mystery which ended with a sleepover on the deck. Both sessions got a chance to experience some fun never-before-done programing: a raging silent disco, a crazy foam party, and a paint-n-sip evening were some of the favorites. Of course, the highlight of the Solel experience was the Solel-Chalutzim buddy program where they became role models for our youngest campers. Playing gaga with them during free time and leading services together made this even more special. TOSAFOT (GRADE 11) Here for “one summer and one summer only,” Tosafot left their mark on camp! While they were a small group, they were very mighty! Filling memory jars each evening and bonding over nightly campfires in the forest, Tosafot made this summer one to remember. Tosafot campers were able to explore local parks and danced their feet off at Silent Disco. ILS – ISRAEL LEADERSHIP SUMMER (GRADES 11-12) This summer, 43 teens across two grades participated in our Israel Leadership Summer program. From surfing the sand dunes in the Negev, spending time with K’far Rupin teens, hiking up Masada, to rafting in the Jordan River, the fun never stopped! The group got to split and participate in two specialty tracks. One group hiked across Israel from the Mediterranean to the Kineret and the other spent some time volunteering on a farm in Modi’in. This group spent three amazing weeks bringing Camp Wise to Israel and taking the camp spirit with them everywhere they went. They bonded over a once in a lifetime experience and a love of both Israel and Camp Wise. SIT – STAFF IN TRAINING (GRADE 12) Our mighty SIT crew did it all this summer. From planning the Winter in July Carnival to the Hollywood end of session banquet, this small group of SITs made a big impression on camp! They truly went above and beyond for our campers: getting dressed up in funky costumes, cheering with their cabins, and always available to lend a hand. Their SIT Project, a new swing by the pool, provides another great place for campers to hang out and allowed the SITs to give something back to the place they love.