Winter Weekend Recap Summer Programs...................Back page

Winter Weekend Recap

Our first ever ILS (Israel Leadership Summer) retreat brought together teens who traveled to Israel in 2021 and those traveling to Israel in 2022! While the retreat served as a formal ending for the teens who traveled to Israel during the 2021 summer, it was also the beginning of the experience for the teens traveling to Israel for the 2022 summer (pre-trip experience). This never-before-done retreat allowed the Camp Wise teens to reflect on their past experiences from camp and Israel and provided a space to share and look ahead toward their future with camp, Israel and beyond. While on the retreat, the pre-trip teens were introduced to several program components: Places they will be traveling, the mifgash program in Beit Shean, the elective choices and their own roles as leaders of their peers through committees. This retreat served as an important connection mid-year for our teens; posttrip teens shared their experience with their near-peers allowing the pre-trip group to get even more excited about their trip. At Camp Wise, a favorite (albeit slightly sad) song among all is “Closing Time.” In the song, there is a line, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” This line is similar to the Judaic concept of L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation, which is woven throughout the camp culture. Over the summer and in this retreat, we are constantly teaching and providing opportunities for our campers and staff to give back to the next generation. In celebration of the first ever ILS Winter Retreat, we asked a few teens to share their experiences. Gabe Feinberg, a sophomore traveling to Israel in 2022, shared, “I chose to go on the ILS winter retreat because even though I was at camp several months ago, I just couldn’t get enough of it! Camp is my favorite place in the world, and I would never miss an opportunity to spend even an hour there. My favorite part of the whole experience was reconnecting with my old friends whom I haven’t seen in months or years, as well as already making new ones. Two of my closest friends flew all the way here for this weekend, one from New Jersey and the other from Colorado, which was so special to me. The Cleveland ShinShinim were also invited to this weekend, which gave us new insight into Israel and the culture there. I spent hours talking with the ShinShinim and became such good friends that we are getting coffee next week to practice speaking Hebrew before Israel. This whole weekend just got me so excited to step foot in Israel and made me feel like part of a community between first and second session teens.” We said goodbye to our teens on Sunday morning and by Sunday afternoon had a whole new group at camp for our Winter Weekend. With over 50 kids spanning grades fifth through eighth, it was awesome to bring a small part of our camp community together. Julia Klein, a seventh grader who will be spending her fifth summer at camp said, “I chose to come to the winter weekend for three reasons. One, to see my camp friends and make new friends. Two, so I can go to camp during the winter! Three, so that I could have a really fun weekend! The best moment of the weekend was being at camp with friends. Being at camp in the winter brought back many summer memories! I am most excited for the summer because I can’t wait to be back at camp again! I love doing camp activities with the very nice counselors and my friends. I am super excited!” Her twin sister Ellie Klein, who will also be celebrating her fifth summer at camp, said, “I chose to come to the winter weekend because ever since my first summer at Camp Wise, I wanted to go to the winter weekend when I was old enough to go. Camp Wise is so fun, partly because I feel like I am part of a community there. I went to see my friends and make new friends, and to feel like I am a part of something important. I liked when we went sledding and played in the snow on the Noar rec. I am excited to make new friends, eat lots of dessert and am overall really excited to have fun!”

Join us throughout the summer! Be on the lookout for more information coming later this spring!

SUMMER TOURS

SUN, JUNE 26 AND SUN, JULY 24

Considering Camp Wise for your children? Come see camp in action! Meet our leadership team and experience the fun of Camp Wise! You will even have the opportunity to make your own tie-dye T-shirt.

For more information and to register, visit www.campwise.org/summertours.

FAMILY CAMP

FRI, AUGUST 12 – SUN, AUGUST 14

Escape to camp for the weekend and experience what all the kids are raving about. Your family can enjoy: • Swimming, boating, water skiing and tubing • Sports including tennis, archery, basketball and mountain biking • Campfires and songs • Arts and crafts • Climbing tower and zip line • Magical camp Shabbat and Havdalah • Delicious kosher meals • Activities for kids led by our amazing staff • Welcoming, inclusive environment

ALUMNI CAMP WOMEN’S WEEKEND

FRI, AUGUST 19 – SUN, AUGUST 21

CONNECT, COMPETE, CELEBRATE! As soon as you arrive at camp, you will feel like you are back in your glory days at the “Home of Happiness.” This weekend is for adults only – open to CW alumni who graduated high school in 2018 or earlier and their partners. • Hop in a canoe and relax at the lake • Grab a seat in the Art Shack and get your craft on • Reconnect with fellow alumni • Sing songs around the campfire • And most importantly relax, disconnect and have fun

FRI, AUGUST 26 – SUN, AUGUST 28

Relax, unplug and have a blast at Camp Wise at this women’s-only retreat. • Relax at the pool • Enjoy a massage • Kayak, canoe or jet ski on our private lake • Create unique jewelry, tie dye clothing and pottery • Enjoy outdoor yoga classes led by a professional instructor • Soar high on the rock wall or ropes course • Celebrate each day with delicious kosher meals

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26001 South Woodland Road • Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland