Shabbat-O-Gram: Week 4 2024
Dear parents and friends,
Last night, we gathered on the Waterfront for our Opening Campfire. It was the perfect night for it, making up for the thunderstorm that led us to the Old Rec for the first night of Session I. As the sun set over Woods Pond, we held our opening ceremonies, a long-standing Camp Kingswood tradition. Peppered between hilarious skits introducing each program area and the electives they offer, we sang songs, heard from campers about ‘What Kingswood Means To Me,’ and did one of my favorite traditions of standing up and then sitting down by number of years at camp, leaving the staff legends standing who have been at Kingswood since before our campers were born. It’s pretty incredible to think about the long history of kids who have been coming here since 1913, and by the end of Night 1, every camper went to bed knowing they’re now a part of a very special legacy.
With Session II starting Thursday, it’s hard to believe so much has already happened at camp! Our 7-weekers picked up where they left off from an awesome Visiting Day and a fun Intersession program, including the beach, a double-feature outdoor movie at camp, and bowling!
Thursday it was back to First Day mode, and we all jumped right back in. Personally, I love the first day of Session II because of the staff. Observing the staff on Thursday compared to Day 1 of Session I is unreal. Now, this session, everyone is a veteran. Everyone knows the cheers, the routine, the schedule. Of course, everyone learns this during pre-camp training, but until they go through it once, it’s just theoretical. By the start of Session II, everyone has done it before. First day of Session II has a comfortable, relaxed, easy vibe to it, because our whole team has already been through it once together.
Session II campers jumped right in when they arrived, and by the end of our first lunch together, most of the camp was up standing on their benches singing. There’s nothing like a little ‘Sweet Caroline’ to get everyone up and in the camp spirit!
After lunch, campers were warmly welcomed into their cabins, where they unpacked with the help of their counselors. I appreciate the stress that camp packing brings for new camp parents, but I want to assure those of you who were in regular touch in the spring with anxiety about which size packing cubes to get, that your best laid plans are just that, and your camper is developing their own system to keep their clothing and belongings semi-organized, with the guidance of their staff. 🙂 Hard to believe, I know, but you should see some of these cabins when the Assistant Unit Heads go around each day to score cabin clean-up! It’s amazing what a prize of ice cream in Bridgton can do for motivation.
After getting settled, campers headed out to explore camp as returners led the way for their camp tour. Each bunk stopped along their route to meet the nurses and our camper care team at the Health Center, take their bunk photo by the waterfront, and check out all the fantastic activities they’ll get to choose from during the session. Later, each bunk created a Bunk Agreement that the campers make together and they all sign. Their bunk agreement hangs on their cabin wall and sets the expectations for how to be an awesome bunk. It becomes an important touch point for bunk discussions throughout the session, and is a helpful tool for the counselors to empower campers to be accountable for each other. Whether they’re 7 or 17, when campers share a small space for 3.5 weeks, it’s important to talk about what makes each of us feel grounded and happy in our bedroom for the session.
No time was wasted getting into camp, and yesterday was spent at activities, living out our 2024 theme of ‘Play!’ In addition to an assortment of bunk activities ranging from the zip line to outdoor cooking, every unit had time at Upper Fields where campers sampled our sports program, and every unit had a Waterfront period, where they completed their swim tests and got to take their first dip in Woods Pond. There is nothing quite like jumping into a lake on a hot day, and everyone had the opportunity yesterday. I didn’t make it to swim, but I woke up early today to do the Big Swim, a long-standing camp tradition where kids can choose to swim either from dock to dock or across the lake, depending how far they want to go. It’s a small but mighty crew that’s been waking up early every Saturday so far, and I hope we’re joined this morning by some Session II campers ready to take the plunge. I did have a chance to go sailing after lunch (my second time this summer!), and I can see why so many campers picked it for an elective in our first elective cycle, starting Sunday.
Walking around camp today I heard four different languages and at least 8 different accents! Would you believe that we have campers this session from China, the UK, Germany, Israel, France, and Mexico?! Add to that campers from far away U.S. cities like San Francisco, LA, Madison, Nashville, Brooklyn, and Miami. Talk about a global Jewish community! At services last night we talked about how parts of Shabbat may be different from the familiar tunes campers know from home, but there are lots of parts of Shabbat that are the same wherever they are around the world. I love that our community has so many unique stories and perspectives, like our Session II Head of Jewish Life Ryan, who is a Rabbi in South Africa (and a yoga instructor!)
As we headed into Shabbat yesterday, you could feel the mood change, as we shifted from the normal dinner time routine to our special Friday night program, starting with our Shabbat Walk from the Waterfront to the Chapel. Campers were walking with kids they didn’t know 48 hours earlier, arms linked together as if they had known each other for a lot longer. You could just feel the comfortable, non-judgemental environment that says to campers, “Be your best self here. Leave the rest at home. Be a part of creating a space that feels good for everyone.”
Today we’ll spend Shabbat together, with campers choosing from activities this afternoon including favorite Shabb-options (Shabbat options) like basketball and soccer tournaments, swimming, A&C, ropes, and card tournaments. I’m guessing lots of kids will be practicing their acts for tonight’s Camp Talent Show, and I can’t wait to see what talents our campers are bringing to the stage!
As we look toward this week, I’m so excited to embark on this session with your kids! We have an incredible three and a half weeks planned, and while you may not hear excitement reflected in every letter right away, please trust that the most rewarding experiences are often hard at the start. You can follow along through social media and the photos we post each day through your CampInTouch account, on your computer or using the Campanion app. A reminder that through the app you can use the facial recognition feature so photos of your camper are pulled for you each day, saving you hours of scrolling! I encourage you to write letters, and not just send emails. It may seem old-school, but nothing beats the fun of receiving an actual envelope and letter in the mail!
Just a reminder – we only allow flat envelopes, birthday packages, or forgotten items we have been told about in writing in advance, so any packages received are returned to you at your expense. Please refrain from sending any boxes, toys, or padded envelopes, and let your family and friends know. Flat envelopes can contain magazines, pictures, comic books, or anything else you can fit in a flat envelope, including gum.
Have a great week, and stay posted for more news from camp! As always, I invite you to reach out to check in anytime. 🙂
Warm wishes for a beautiful Shabbat and a great week ahead,
