Week 2 Shabbat Update of Trip I 2025!
What a Week!
We’ve just wrapped up the second week of Trip I 2025, and it’s always amazing to witness how time at camp can feel both fast and slow at once—an hour can feel like a day, and a day like a week!
On Monday, I considered pre-writing this blog with the theme of Independence, since so many of our activities help campers grow in confidence and self-reliance. But needless to say, that pre-writing didn’t happen—thanks to ever-changing weather, seemingly endless rain, and the simple truth that camp time just flies.
Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t lock us into the independence theme, because this week ended up being all about resilience. With hundreds of campers and staff and a complex daily schedule, things run most smoothly when we can count on consistency. But summer thunderstorms don’t always cooperate with our plans!
I want to commend our campers and staff for finding joy, creativity, and spontaneous fun—making unforgettable memories in between the raindrops. The programmatic mash-up of mud slip-n-slide, rain dancing, paddleboard yoga, extreme tennis, slushy soccer, and mud-slide tubing could never have been planned… even in our wildest brainstorming sessions.
While these moments will definitely go down in Camp Wise history—and will no doubt show up in future Solel speeches—we’re all a little relieved to see four or five days of sunshine and summer warmth beginning tomorrow. We’re excited to get back on schedule!
Speaking of sunshine: with high heat indexes expected in the coming days, we’ve put a safe and healthy plan in place. This includes ample time at the pool and lake, extra water games, and most importantly—staying cool and hydrated. Campers will be reminded regularly to apply sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and wear hats throughout the day. Our staff will be especially mindful of campers who are sensitive to heat or have asthma or other breathing concerns.
Ohio summer weather—we’ve got this!
As we move into Shabbat we prepare to say goodbye to our first set of two-week campers, Rishon Aleph, and a big Camp Wise Welcome to Rishon Bet and Taste of Camp on Monday!! If you know a friend of family member interested in learning more about new camper programs for 2026, please reach out and let’s get scheduled for a summer tour visit.
Shabbat Shalom to all!
Rabbi Dan Utley
Camp Wise Director
It has been an awesome week of chugim, fun in the rain, trying out all of the camp activities for the first time, and getting skilled in our camp cheering. We are sad to say goodbye to Rishon Aleph!!! See you in Chalutzim 2026!!!!
The mudslide with Ohalim and Noar wasthe biggest memory this week. One of our evening programs was a staff swap contest where our campers had to dress up like our staff and create dances. We also loved singing spirit circle in the rain.
As much as we love camp, we don’t love the rain!! It just makes us want to nap. But we had a blase on the Noar mud-slide and spent time with our best friends. Can’t wait for Shabbat!
We enjoyed an incredible trip for two days to Cincinatti – incluidng Kings Island, the Cinci JCC, Jungle Jim’s Scavenger Hunt, and
