Shabbat-O-Gram: 5/30/25

Dear Kingswood Families,

This week, I moved back to camp.

Even after 40ish summers, that first drive down the camp road at the beginning of a new summer still gives me goosebumps. Turning into camp from Wildwood Road, I first see the bright green of Upper Fields, and then the trees form an archway over my car, just like our staff do with their arms on the first day, as campers step off the buses. I pass the tower, archery, the Chapel, and then the archway of forest opens, welcoming me, and with the first peak of the lake, I am home. Hineini, Camp Kingswood. Here I am.

When we start planning Staff Training for a summer, one of the first decisions we make is about a summer training theme. Not because we want to be cheesy or need a slogan, but because we are in the business of creating meaningful, intentional experiences, and a theme gives us a shared focus. Our summer theme gives us a framework to connect the dots between what we’re learning and how we’re becoming a team.

In Hebrew, Hineini means “Here I am”—but it carries more weight than just answering a roll call, when you’d say ‘Ani po,” I’m here. Hineini is a word that shows up in powerful moments in Jewish tradition, when someone is being asked to step up, to be present, and to respond with intention. It’s not just about being physically there – it’s about showing up with your full self. With purpose.

By rooting our training in the theme of Hineini, we’re setting the tone for a summer where presence is our focus. Being on staff at Kingswood demands it. We ask our staff to be present in a way that regular life doesn’t require. It’s hard work to be on camp staff, especially when options at home require less of you and don’t give you a hard time for using your phone. But our staff understand that moments of meaning are what we remember, and those require full presence.

We’re only ten people at camp right now, but even with a small crew, hineini moments are the norm. Like last night, when our eight support staff, me, Joelle, and Nicole were rocking out to salsa music while sorting and folding bedding. One of our maintenance staff, Julian, returning for his second summer, articulated it perfectly. ‘This is what I’ve been waiting for. To be back home at camp.” That’s the beauty of our community. Finding happiness folding sheets.

We are here—in every new bunk window, in every raked trail and cleared path, in the work our team is doing to repair, rebuild, and ready this beloved place for the summer ahead.

This is a powerful moment. The start of any summer is significant, but for me and for our team, this summer feels especially significant. Hineini. Here I am.

Shabbat Shalom from Bridgton,

Jodi

P.S. This week we only have one announcement, and it’s about packing. While we don’t post a specific list of costumes to bring to camp, we do want to share that camp is the place to bring all of your goofy! We love some good intentional surprises, but we wanted to share some 2025 planned Theme Days for campers who like to come prepared. 😉

Session l: 4th of July, University Day, Eras Day
Session ll: Jersey Day, Campchella, Super Hero Day