Shabbat-O-Gram: 8/15/25
Dear Kingswood Families,
Session II may have ended a few days ago, but here on Woods Pond we’re still in camp mode! The Mini Camp bus pulled out a few hours ago, carrying a new crew of campers who dipped their toes into overnight camp life for the first time and fell in love with it.
Tonight, we’ll celebrate Shabbat with 100+ friends here for Alumni & Friends Family Camp — some new to Kingswood, and alumni, whose names, stories, and laughter are woven into the fabric of every cabin and space.
The juxtaposition of these two programs is perfect. At one end, first-time campers at the beginning of their Kingswood journey. Like the staff who spoke last night at the campfire about their first year at Kingswood many years ago, these campers arrived wide-eyed and unsure just two days ago. Today, they reluctantly boarded the bus, joking and hugging their counselors, who in a short time became people they can’t wait to see next summer.
At the other end are alumni, returning to the place that shaped them, bringing with them decades of connection and nostalgia. They’re coming back to share their love of camp with their kids, to reminisce about the moments and people that shaped them, and to soak in the magical camp air that still feels like home.
In between these two ends are all of us, who’ve been lucky enough to share Summer 2025 together. Whether you were a camper or staff person here with us in person, or a parent following along through letters and photos, you were a part of Camp Kingswood’s 112th summer, and it wouldn’t have been the same without you. A camp with 250 campers each session means that every person is known, and every person matters. You can’t get lost in the shuffle here, which is why I like it, and it’s why Kingswood is a place kids come back to year after year.
One summer at camp is a fun few weeks. But when you return summer after summer like our alumni pulling in now, Kingswood becomes part of your DNA. Friends don’t just feel like family, they are family. They know what makes you tick, and they know how to make you smile when you’re having a hard day. Camp traditions become your own story. Our core values — responsibility, courage, spirit, and community — inform how you choose to show up in the world, and who you choose to be around. As so many of our staff say, in a crazy world that sometimes feels upside down and backwards, camp is a constant that feels safe and steady.
Our staff theme this summer was Hineini — “I am here.” It’s about showing up fully, in the big and small moments. This summer, I saw our staff fully present in how they brought their full selves and dedication to their campers, and I witnessed our campers being ‘all in’ in how they threw themselves into the play, Intercamp Games, Color War, and every moment they were here. I felt it from all of you — parents who entrusted us with your kids and shared in the journey with us.
As we close out the summer, I’m grateful for every Hineini moment that wove this season together. May the echoes of those moments stay with us until we meet again.
Shabbat shalom,
Jodi
Camp Announcements
Sunday Open House!
Know someone thinking about camp for next summer, or just want to come back for a few hours of fun? This Sunday, August 17, we’re hosting an Open House for prospective families and friends. Camp will be open for tours and activities from 1-3 pm. RSVP to [email protected].
Check out the latest camp videos
As YouTube changes its music copyright settings, we’ve had to adjust a few of our videos to be on private links instead of directly on our page. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Session II 2025 Gym & Dance Show
Beauty & The Beast Musical Session II 2025
Lost & Found
All unclaimed items will be collected, saved, and donated on August 22, 2025. You can read more about our Lost & Found protocols by following this link to our Family Handbook.
Registration is Open!
It may seem crazy that summer is already coming to a close, but in the camp world, that just means we get to begin planning for another amazing year. You can register for Summer 2026 at our Summer Special Rate by following this link! Let your friends know that registration opens for new families on September 1.
