Recently, I spoke with a parent of a first session camper. She shared with me that her daughter was sad around the house, missing camp. Her daughter had “the time of her life” at camp this summer. First, I was very excited and touched to hear that the hard work, dedication, planning, and care from our staff members had contributed to this success – Camp Wise became this young girl’s Home of Happiness! At the same time, I also found myself thinking whether we do enough to support our campers and their parents int he transition home. How do our campers take the best part of camp home with them to continue the joy, year-round? We typically put a ton of energy into the transition into camp, but what about going home?

As parents raising children there isn’t often much gap between our children’s experience and ours.  Besides the day spent at school, we generally check in with our children each evening, learn about their day and hear about their problems and solutions in real time. However, with residential camp, there exists a difference.  Parents get a break, time to breathe, a chance to reconnect with adult friends, travel, or work – and campers spread their wings as they gain a sense of independence and learn to navigate age-appropriate challenges more on their own during the time of camp. Campers also come with a healthy pride that comes with being able to solve some problems, grow, and learn away from home – this is preparation for adulthood. This is all healthy and good for both parents and children, but it is a time of some disconnection. For many kids and their families, that’s new.  Suddenly when camp ends, this all changes back to normal.

When our campers return home a little bit “campsick” its not a bad thing… there are ways to help children through this transition that also yields learning and solidifies long-term emotional growth.

We suggest that parents lean into asking questions about the camp experience when it feels natural, rather than seeking stories, or pushing kids to talk each day:

Don’t just ask “what did you do at camp?” instead ask questions that fit the camp environment:

• Can you tell me which chug was the most fun
• Which team won on maccabia – what was the theme?
• Which village had the most energy in cheering?
• What were the cool parts of your village that you didn’t expect
• What’s one new skill you learned? Do you want to try that in an activity this year?
• Which counselor was most fun and why?

Utilize the camper directory lists after camp and see if your child wants to have a sleepover with camp friends. Perhaps even they could host their own Village Shabbat sleepover, complete with leading their own Motzi and Birkat HaMazon (meal blessings). There are many ways to continue the magic of camp!

We are so grateful that over 550 campers chose to make Camp Wise their home of happiness this summer. We can’t wait to see them again throughout the year and next summer, too! Shabbat Shalom!

Cabin Photos and Cabin Experiences!!

C1: Our cabin bonded while playing board games during rest hour. They all strengthened relationships. Horseback riding was the activity highlight of the week!

C2: We were vibing while deepening our connections at instructional swim lessons, lunches and evening snack because they get more food

C3: Our cabin had a fantastic time celebration birthdays in the cabin with a pool party and a giant swing session at rest hour! Our cabin loved hanging out in the village and playing cards or trading Pokémon cards!

C5: Our cabin although a bit scared of heights, all girls tried the ropes course and all made it across to go on the zipline. Our campers are obsessed with the water toys in the lake!

C6: our cabin had a really awesome time at the chalutzim girls talent show and all like working together to create a performance. our cabin loves creating skits together and dancing in the cabin and during song session. they all get really excited and like to show off their dance moves.

C7: We performed strong in the talent show led by our counselors with so many campers performing. We did song and dance. There were many talented acts!

C8: We loved our overnight with s’mores and being able to be out under the stars for the first time in the tent!

O1: Avi’s birthday was a highlight. All the kids made sure he enjoyed the day which he did and during their movie night they all shared their snacks, were quiet and were all generally very well behaved. Nighttime bonus activities like soccer or basketball. This gets them more relaxed and calmer before bed and excited for the activity throughout the day.

O2: During this week our cabin had high ropes. The campers went out of their comfort zones and did the ropes course while encouraging and helping one another. Our cabin likes playing sports at camp and staying active.

O5: I feel the highlight of this week was when the cabin campers were all bonding playing chess on their own in the village. Our cabin loves village and free time especially chess!

O6: Our cabin cheered each other on at Lake while we went tubing and on the back of the jet-ski. We love village time because we’re able to hangout, talk, and draw together.

O7: the highlight of this week was jojo siwa night ! my campers had the best time listening and dancing to jojo siwa’s music our cabin loves the pool or the lake… my girls are constantly swimming, using any opportunity they have!

O8: Our cabin bonded over late night programs. We let out energy by having fun on the Ohalim Rec Field and making s’mores Our cabin loves village time so they can make bracelets and hang out with their friends in the community of Ohalim.

O9: Dance cabin activity was a blast – we had slick moves! Our cabin also loves nightly talks as a cabin under the stars.

O10: We loved outdoor cooking where we learned to make shakshuka and Pita! We loved the new Teva Center and hanging out together as a group. We also enjoyed Live Wise and the Ropes Course!

N1: this week really enjoyed the Noar overnight, especially the day they spent at King’s Island. Each camper pushed themselves at some point of those 2 days. Our cabin loves the Noar trip because it was a nice break from camp while letting them have a bit more freedom and a different experience!

N2: The highlight of this week for our cabin was kings island. Every camper got pushed past their fears and had a blast riding roller-coasters and hanging out with their friends. Our cabin loves the noar trip because they got to travel outside of camp, sleep in tents outside of camp, explore a cave system that was beautiful, and have a jam packed day at an amusement park where they got to experience a lot of thrill.

N3: We’ve become great friends this week. We loved Mountain Biking – all the way down tot he lake and back. We also loved basketball, graphic design and sports! The trip helped us get closer together.

N5: The girls loved going to King’s Island this week and all the things they got to do there. Our cabin loves all of the different chugs they get to do because of the variety of options, there’s something for everybody.

N6: This was a big sports week – we loved pickle-ball, soccer and Live Wise. The trip was awesome to Cinci!

N7: We had sports, Lacrosse, Dance and Fitness! We loved the trip out of camp and relaxed at Yoga!

N8: Our cabin enjoyed from the Israeli day. They felt comfortable and safe in their place Our cabin loves the meetings with all the American children… they love to be with them and enjoy together

Solel: The Cincy trip was fun for everyone. We got to explore the zoo, Jungle Jim’s and Kings Island. Our cabin loves being able to connect with everyone in Solel and have a great time.
Our cabin bonded in the Cincinnati zoo, and each camper was excited to see an animal they never saw before. Our cabin loves bonding with other people, and have programs that involve bonding with the cabin. This Shabbat is SOLEL Shabbat!