Shabbat: 7/11/25
Dear Camp Kingswood Families,
Every week at camp brings something new — a new elective, a new inside joke, a new song stuck in everyone’s heads (this week it’s Mystical Magical, which has been picked every day as a cleanup song by the Kingswood Krew!). While kids look forward to things that are new, learning how to respond to change doesn’t always feel great at first.
Some of the biggest growth we witness here happens in the most unexpected places — not in moments of achievement, but in moments of adjustment. A camper switches electives midweek and makes a new friend with a shared passion. The CIT program changes to seven weeks, and the awesome teens, who were initially hesitant, now all want to stay longer. The Bogrim unit head heads home early, and the assistant steps up with confidence, supported by their co-staff and community. Even better, a long-time Kingswood alum and veteran unit head then has the opportunity to come back to camp to step in.
My favorite kind of change to watch? The campers themselves.
They grow so much from one summer to the next — in maturity, in self-awareness, in kindness. A camper who was shy last year is suddenly a social connector. A kid who clashed with someone last summer is now deep in conversation with that very bunkmate at Rest Hour. I’ve watched friendships bloom between campers who, just days ago, were convinced they had nothing in common — and now can’t imagine their day without each other.
Camp strips away the categories and assumptions kids sometimes carry from school or home. Without phones or filters, they see each other — and themselves — more clearly. That clarity opens the door for deeper friendships, more meaningful connection, and personal growth that can’t be scheduled or scripted.
By learning how to navigate change here, in this safe, supportive, joyful place, kids are developing a life skill they’ll carry far beyond Kingswood.
Life is full of curveballs. Friends move, plans shift, schools change, families evolve. When kids practice resilience at camp — when they experience the discomfort of something unfamiliar and discover they can handle it — they’re building confidence that stays with them. They learn to approach the unknown with curiosity instead of fear. They learn that they can have hard feelings and still find joy. They learn that the story they told themselves about other people or how camp was going to be on Day 1 might not be the full story by Day 14.
At Kingswood, kids learn that change isn’t something to fear — it’s something to grow through. They learn that first impressions aren’t always accurate. They learn to be flexible, and to let things that are annoying roll off their backs. They learn that letting go of the plan can sometimes make room for something even better.
And in all of this, there’s one ingredient that makes that kind of growth possible. Trust. Trust in their bunkmates. Trust in their staff. Trust in themselves.
So it’s especially fitting that tonight, Tsofim is leading Shabbat on the theme of Trust. Working with Rabbi Leor this week, they’ve explored how when we offer trust to others, we often receive trust in return. And how trust is the foundation that allows us to take risks, try new things, and grow into the people we’re meant to be.
As we welcome Shabbat tonight — the weekly pause in the swirl — I’m holding close the power of change, the strength of trust, and the gift of watching your kids lean into it all with courage, curiosity, and care.
Wishing you a Shabbat filled with peace, presence, and the flexibility to roll with whatever curveballs your weekend throws at you.
With gratitude,
Jodi
Reminders:
Session II Forms Reminder
If your camper is just joining us for Session II, please log into your CampInTouch account to make sure all your forms are in. I apologize that some Full Summer families received forms reminders this week! If your kids are already with us, we’re good to go. 🙂
Canteen & Trip Money Online
Also for Session II families, this summer we’ve gone full tech! You can upload your camper’s canteen and trip money directly to their CampInTouch account. No more envelopes of cash going missing while unpacking.
