One of my favorite parts of a Capital Camps summer is the vast set of opportunities for our campers to experience new activities, discover their passions, and dig deeper into activities they might not participate in the rest of the year. 

Each day, our campers progress through carefully curated schedules that bring them into a world of programmatic offerings. Campers and staff exercise their creativity at arts programs. We laugh and play at the pool and lake. We work together as teams at the various sports. We challenge ourselves at the ropes course. We connect to the environment around us with teva (nature). We sing in Hebrew and dance with pride. It’s easy to see all of these in a day at Capital Camps.

One moment in the daily schedule, however, truly stands out to me: chug. 

Chug (elective) is our dedicated time for campers to choose an activity they would like to try. While we always offer Capital Camps staples like omanut (arts & crafts), archery, and tennis, chug goes deeper than our standard offerings. It is a time for our staff to share their own passions and lean into the specific interests of our campers. 

Rather than just typical swimming at the pool, we offer activities like instructional diving and water polo. Instead of standard arts, we dig deep into specific skills like jewelry making or performance preparation for the annual camp show. Each chug is designed to develop specific skills over the course of 4-5 days, after which campers begin a new round of chugim selections, with new and exciting offerings on the table each time.

Beyond offering skill-building and choice, chugim bridge our village communities, offering a time to engage with new campers and staff outside a camper’s cabin or village. This is where we start to see new cross-village relationships forging and connections strengthening. It is a time when campers join together over shared interests and new passions.

Chug is already underway at camp, met with ruach (spirit) and wonder for new opportunities, exploring our passions, and strengthening our bonds as a camp community.

Best,

Sam Belkowitz, Programs Manager

This Sunday, Capital Camps will welcome our first campers of Summer 2026 to our beautiful campus in Waynesboro. After months of planning and preparation—and two intensive weeks of staff training—our bunks, villages, lake, pool, ropes course, fields, arts spaces, and gathering places are ready to once again become a vibrant center of Jewish life, learning, friendship, and joy. 

As we prepare to open our gates, we read Parshat Korach, a Torah portion that invites us to reflect on leadership, responsibility, and the importance of working toward a common purpose. While Korach’s challenge to Moses and Aaron is often remembered as a story of conflict, the parsha also highlights what is required to sustain a strong and sacred community: leaders and community members who understand that their role is not about personal recognition, but about serving something larger than themselves. 

Over the past two weeks, nearly 200 seasonal staff members have participated in Specialist Week and Staff Week, engaging in certifications, camper care and behavior management training, leadership development, relationship-building, discussions about Israel and Jewish identity, and countless hours of preparation for bunk life, village programs, Shabbat experiences, chugim, sports, aquatics, adventure, arts, and camp-wide traditions. Together with our year-round team, they have worked to ensure that every aspect of the camper experience reflects the values that define Capital Camps. 

I am continually inspired by the dedication of our staff and leadership team. Their commitment reflects a deeply Jewish understanding of leadership—one rooted in achrayut (responsibility), kehillah (community), and service to others. Long before campers arrive, these individuals have invested their time, energy, and expertise to create an environment where young people can grow, explore, connect, and thrive. 

On Sunday evening, as our campers and staff gather together for our opening evening program in the amphitheater, we will recite the Shehecheyanu blessing, thanking God “who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.” It is one of my favorite moments of the summer. After months of anticipation and preparation, we pause as a community to acknowledge the significance of the moment and express gratitude for arriving here together. 

The Shehecheyanu reminds us that Judaism teaches us not to rush past moments of meaning. We are called to recognize them, celebrate them, and offer thanks for them. 

As our campers begin their summer journeys—whether they are entering Capital Camps as Yalla campers for the very first time or returning as CITs for their final camper summer—they will have opportunities to build lifelong friendships in their cabins and villages, strengthen their Jewish identities through Shabbat, song-session, Israeli culture, and everyday moments of Jewish joy, develop confidence and independence, connect with Israel, and experience the power of being part of the Capital Camps community. These experiences do not happen by accident. They are made possible through the collective efforts of staff, families, supporters, and community members who share a commitment to Jewish camping and Jewish futures. 

As we enter Summer 2026, I am filled with gratitude—for the trust of our families, the dedication of our staff, the generosity of our supporters, and the privilege of leading this extraordinary community. 

May this summer be one of growth, connection, resilience, and joy. May our campers and staff continue to build a community grounded in Jewish values and meaningful relationships. And may we merit many opportunities in the months ahead to pause, give thanks, and recite Shehecheyanu together. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Havi Goldscher 
CEO 

This Shabbat, we read Parashat Nasso, the longest parsha in the Torah. At first glance, it can feel like a portion filled with details, logistics, assignments, and repetition — each family group given its role, each leader bringing their offering, each contribution carefully counted and acknowledged.   

And honestly, this time of year feels a little like that too. 

As your family closes out another school year filled with concerts, graduations, projects, exams, and celebrations, here at camp we are deep in our own season of preparation. Final schedules are being confirmed. Supplies are arriving. Staff are beginning to move onto campus next week. Retreat season is winding down, and very soon our camp community will reopen in its fullest form — filled with the energy, noise, laughter, and connection of summer. 

One of the most meaningful themes in Nasso is that every person holds a role in building the community. Even when the offerings described in the Torah were identical, each one was named separately and recognized individually. The Torah reminds us that community is not built only through grand moments, but through countless acts of preparation, presence, and participation. 

That feels especially true in Jewish camping. 

For Capital Camps, summer does not begin on opening day. It begins now — in the care and intention behind every final detail, every staff training, every packing list, every nervous or excited conversation around the dinner table. It begins in the collective effort of parents, staff, leadership, and campers all preparing to create something sacred together. 

As we transition from the rhythm of the school year into the spirit of summer, I feel tremendous gratitude for the partnership of our camp families and staff. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back onto campus very soon. 

May this season of preparation lead us toward a summer filled with blessing, growth, friendship, joy, and belonging for every member of our community. 

Shabbat Shalom. 

Havi Goldscher

As we welcome Jewish American Heritage Month and embrace the rhythms of spring, the weekly Torah portion Emor invites us to pause and reflect. Emor is a portion rich with instructions—guidance for living a life of holiness, care, and intention. It reminds us that our rituals, our celebrations, and even our quiet moments shape the fabric of our community and our identity. 

This theme feels particularly resonant as we approach another vibrant summer at Capital Camps. Our camp is more than a place for fun and friendship; it’s a sanctuary where Jewish values come alive in everyday experiences. Here, traditions are passed from counselor to camper, from generation to generation, echoing the Torah’s call to speak and to teach. Jewish American Heritage Month amplifies this message, encouraging us to honor our roots and share our stories—not only within our families, but across the broader camp community. 

Personally, this month’s themes have felt especially poignant to me. Earlier in April, my son celebrated his bar mitzvah—a milestone that brought our family together in joy, gratitude, and reflection. As he chanted from the Torah, I was reminded of the profound impact that supportive communities like Capital Camps have on shaping confident, compassionate Jewish leaders. Our campers discover their strengths, build lasting connections, and find their voices, much as my son did during his own rite of passage. 

As we look forward to the summer, let’s carry the lessons of Emor with us. May we continue to build a camp culture rooted in respect, kindness, and tradition—a place where every child feels seen and celebrated. Wishing all of our families a meaningful Jewish American Heritage Month and a season of growth, adventure, and shared memories at Capital Camps. 

Warmly,

Havi Goldscher, CEO

On Wednesday and Thursday evening, Jewish families and communities around the world will gather for the Passover Seder. Together, we will retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, sing Dayenu, arrange our Seder plates with the symbolic foods, search for the Afikomen, and move through the rituals outlined in the Haggadah.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the elements that make each Seder feel uniquely meaningful. While Haggadot share the same core structure across Jewish communities, every family brings its own minhagim, customs, that infuse the evening with personality and authenticity. Maybe your table features playful props for the Ten Plagues, a creative skit retelling the Exodus, or a distinctive Afikomen-hiding tradition (in my family, we play “hot and cold” to guide the search!). These small touches add a special spark, deepening our connection to the holiday and to one another.

What traditions make your family’s Seder feel distinctly yours and help you connect more deeply to the experience?

Just as each family brings its own flavor to the Seder, Capital Camps has traditions that make our community feel uniquely ours.

• We break into Rikkud (Israeli dancing) in the Dining Hall on Wednesdays simply because it brings us joy. 

• Once each session, we gather for Havdalah at the pool (Havdalaqua) to experience the ceremony in a fresh, memorable way.

• All of our cabins are named after places in Israel, giving campers a personal way to connect to the land.

And the list goes on, from all-camp rituals to the new traditions each cabin creates every summer. These moments weave together to make Capital Camps special and make our community truly special.

As your family gathers for Seder, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the customs that make your celebration uniquely meaningful. I hope you will take a moment to celebrate the traditions, big and small, that bring you joy and connection.

Warmly,

Ilana Kornblatt, Assistant Camp Director

Next week, we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. Many of us are familiar with traditions such as costumes and listening to the megillah. But what is lesser known about this holiday is the day that comes after it: Shushan Purim. 

In Megillat Esther, we’re told that most Jews marked their victory on the 14th of Adar. But in the walled city of Shushan, the fighting lasted an extra day, so they celebrated on the 15th. Today, we recognize the 14th of Adar as Purim and the 15th as Shushan Purim. 

At first glance, that sounds like a small historical detail. But it highlights something important. Sometimes a community develops its own rhythm. Its own timing. Its own way of marking moments. 

In many ways, camp does this too.  

Over the summer, we create a kind of walled city. A community with its own rhythm and its own calendar. The quirkiest example of this is when July 4th falls on Shabbat. First session campers: get ready for the biggest July 1 celebration you’ve ever seen! 🙂 

At camp, we develop our own traditions, our own communal jokes, in many ways our own language. Sing. “Give Bessie Give.” Cheering during daily announcements. Sharing daily sports and stock market updates at b’yachad. Some of it makes perfect sense inside the bubble and a little less sense outside of it. 

And that’s the point. 

Shushan Purim reminds us that what happens inside a community’s “walls” matters. Even if it looks different from the outside. Even if it runs on its own timetable. Those shared rhythms are what create belonging.  

Over the past month at our camper reunions, I was reminded how durable our community is, even outside the walls of CCRC. Campers hadn’t seen each other in months, and within minutes they were back in sync. The rhythm returned quickly. The connection was still there. What we build during the summer does not disappear when the summer ends. 

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be at Purim carnivals and celebrations across the community. We would love to see you there!  We’re excited to bring a little bit of camp energy into new spaces and carry its spirit into the rest of the year. Keep reading the newsletter for more details on where you can find us the upcoming two Sundays, and wishing everyone a Happy Purim! 

In Parsha Beshalach, the Israelites find themselves in the midst of the wilderness, having just left Egypt. They are tired, uncertain, and unsure of what each day will bring. Then, each morning, they discover small flakes on the ground, manna provided by God. Famously, the Talmud states that the manna did not have a singular, universal taste; each person tasted that which they desired at the time. Beyond individualized flavoring, each person would gather the manna as best fit their needs. Some gathered a little, some a lot, but everyone found what would sustain them for the day. 

As we enter Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM), the symbolism of the manna feels especially relevant. Inclusion is not about asking everyone to move at the same pace. It is about honoring differences and intentionally creating a community where diversity can thrive. Like the manna in the wilderness, meaningful inclusion recognizes that people benefit from different things in order to be sustained and successful.

At Capital Camps, the lesson of the manna shapes how we think about camp for all. One expression of that commitment is our Atzma’im inclusion program that is designed to expand access and support meaningful participation for all campers. Under the steady leadership of our Atzma’im Inclusion Coordinator, Hannah Stoller, we engage in thoughtful planning and close partnerships with families to ensure that all campers can experience the joy, friendships, and sense of belonging that define camp. This approach does more than support individual campers. When we build flexibility, clear structure, and intentional relationships into camp life, it strengthens the experience for every camper, creating a community that is more thoughtful, responsive, and connected.

Guided by the lesson of Parsha Beshalach, inclusion at Capital Camps is not limited to a single program. It is a core value that shapes how we design our campus, structure each day, support social connections, and build community across camp. This upcoming Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month we are proud and committed as ever to being a camp community that lives these values each day, creating a place that allows each child to build confidence, form friendships, and experience the full joy of camp.

Best,

Josh Micley

On the first night of Hanukkah, I asked my kids a simple question: should we light the candles starting with one on the first night and increase each night, or start with eight and decrease? Their response was swift and unanimous – start with one and go up.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, when this debate was famously first held between two sages, Hillel and Shammai, there was no such agreement. Hillel argued for increasing the number of candles each night, while Shammai contended that we should begin with eight and take one away each night.

Hillel’s approach ultimately became the common practice, offering us a symbolic worldview to carry forward. Light is meant to expand. We choose to believe that tomorrow can hold more light than today.

But then Hanukkah quietly asks another question: if last night was the eighth night, the brightest night, What does our ninth night look like?

At camp, we live in the business of answering this question every day. We intentionally design camper journeys to expand over time, from Yalla and Benjamin all the way through becoming a CIT. We add new responsibilities and greater ownership at each stage. We do the same with our staff, creating models that invite people to step into new and expanded roles each summer, growing as leaders alongside the campers they mentor.

This is what a “ninth candle” looks like. It takes what already shines and asks how it can shine brighter.

As we turn the calendar toward 2026, we’re excited for all the ways the coming year will be one of deeper impact and more chances for each of us to amplify the light of our community. Hanukkah reminds us that while the candles are lit for eight nights, the light is always meant to carry forward.

Wishing everyone a bright and beautiful final day of Hanukkah that carries well into the ninth night and beyond.

Warmly,

Josh Micley

Earlier this month, on a crisp fall Sunday afternoon, our team led tours up at camp for prospective families. The air was still, but the future campers with us quickly filled it with energy. They darted toward the cabins, peeking inside to imagine which bed would be theirs and how the space would soon be filled with new friends. At the now-covered pool, they ran straight to the waterslides, pressing their hands against the cold plastic as if willing them to life. A few steps later, we walked through Habimah, where their heads swiveled from the Maccabiah plaques to the stage as we described how this space comes alive each summer with ruach (spirit) and the joy of being together.

Walking around camp in November can feel like stepping into a quiet pause. But watching these kids, I was reminded how easily imagination turns stillness into anticipation. This week’s parsha, Vayetze, echoes that idea. Jacob, fleeing from home and exhausted, stops to rest in what seems like an ordinary, unremarkable place. Using a stone for a pillow, he falls asleep, and suddenly the ordinary is transformed. He dreams of a ladder stretching up to heaven, with angels moving up and down, and God standing beside him, promising protection and a future of blessing. Jacob wakes up stunned and says, “Surely God was in this place, and I did not know it.” What he thought was empty and silent was actually full of holiness and possibility. He just needed the right moment to see it.

Camp in November feels similar. On the surface, everything is at rest. But when families visit, we are reminded that camp is never just quiet cabins and empty fields. It is a place rich with potential and with stories waiting to unfold each summer. Even before they have experienced it, new families can sense that something meaningful lives here.

As we head into Thanksgiving, I am grateful for our special CCRC community: for the families who entrust us with their children, for the campers who bring camp to life each summer, and for the staff that make it all possible. This season, I, along with I’m sure many of you, do not need imagination to sense the warmth of camp; we have the memories and relationships that make this place what it is.

But if you know someone who could still benefit from imagining what being part of our community means, please send them our way. We love welcoming new families for tours, and even in the approaching winter, the spark of camp is unmistakable.

Warmly,

Josh Micley, Camp Director

“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”

This week’s parsha, Lech L’cha, is all about change for its central character, Avram. In just a few chapters, Avram goes through several dramatic changes in his life:

• Spatial: he hears the command (“Lech L’cha”) to leave his home in Charan
• Financial: with God’s blessing, he becomes wealthy in cattle, gold, and silver 
• Familial: after leaving his own father, Avram becomes a father himself when his first son, Ishmael, is born
• Physical: as a sign of his covenant with God, Avram undergoes the first brit milah

It’s at this stage that Avram undergoes another change in his identity by taking on the name Avraham (Abraham). Some of Avram’s changes are personal, redefining his own understanding of who he is; others are public, refocusing how others would see him. Changing his name might actually accomplish both – I think about Muhammad Ali, having changed his name two years prior, yelling “What’s my name?” at his opponent in the middle of a fight. In that moment, recognition of who he was – who he demanded to be – was the battle for Ali.

We usually think of consistency in people as a sign of their trustworthiness, and even their honor. There’s some truth to that – saying that “You always know what you’re going to get” from someone tends to be a pretty high compliment. But it’s worth taking a few moments to consider how the people in our lives (ourselves included) have changed for the better over time.

Nobody is better suited to answer this question than parents. How have your kids changed in the past year, or even the past month? What new priorities have they picked up, and what have they left behind? What difficult choices have they made, bringing on new responsibilities and relationships?

Give yourself that credit, too. How have you changed as a parent? What pieces of yourself do you feel more confident in now than you did before your kids were born? What difficult choices have you made, and what joys have you experienced because of it?

The changes we make – the changes that perfect us – are sometimes the small, day-to-day tweaks like driving a little bit slower or brewing your own coffee at home. But they’re also the dramatic, life-altering shifts: leaving your hometown, taking a new job, even changing your name. And while staying the same might make you reliable, Avraham’s trajectory in Lech L’cha reminds us that there’s beauty in the change, too.

Warmly,
Ezra Suldan, Family & Community Engagement Manager