What an incredible summer was had at Moshava Wild Rose in celebration of our 80th year. Our noseh (theme) of our Tochnit was Yerushalayim, the spiritual center of Am Yisrael, and the Middot that occurred there in Jewish history. Our chanichim enjoyed a multitude of new experiences enmeshed in the Tochnit and traditions of Moshava Wild Rose evident in the ever present Ruach, intimacy and physical  beauty of our camp. The energy could be felt all around the camp, as Director of Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada, Rav Shaul Feldman, and his chairman, Wayne Yaffe, joined us for our opening Shabbat.  Sitting on acres of property in scenic Wisconsin, our chanichim enjoyed the beauty of our land on the biking trails with our Geerz team, inflatable fun in our Agam, and scouting in our Tzahal wilderness specialty.  We were lucky enough to have our beautiful campus appreciated by those outside of camp with the stunning videos taken by our resident Drone expert Hillel Fuld, who ran our Israeli Tech programming (if you have not seen it yet check it out on our Facebook page!).

We switched to a two session format this year, with our 2nd session featuring specialty electives enabling chanichim to focus for a significant time each week on an activity that they wanted to explore at a deeper level.  We had over 85 new campers throughout the summer, coming from all over the US and Canada, as well as a group flight of chanichim and tzevet from Israel.  Some highlights to our new 2019 programing included Bishul (cooking), Teva (nature), Zipline Leap Frog, petting zoo, and Kollel.  Our returning favorites of Slow Shira each week, swimming in our pool, Yom Tzahal and Yom Yisrael, Havdalah, Geerz and lessons from Israeli Basketball Pros were enjoyed by all.  We were thrilled to have Yachad join us this year, offering both camper and vocational programming. Their spirit and enthusiasm led to Circle Time with Yachad as one of the most popular Chugs offered and ‘Pizza Man’ becoming a regular Chadar Ochel sing-a-long song.

We held our first unique family visiting day in Milwaukee where chanichim and their families came together for a day of fun at the Zoo and finished off with a night out at the Wisconsin Brewers. Our Avodah group took to the road on a bonding trip, staying at Moshava IO where they had quality time with their peers and also participated in the annual intercamps done by the east coast camps.  This year we offered a 3 day Mini Mosh, and these youngest Chanichim were able to get a true taste of Wild Rose – sports, slip N slide, enjoying the pool, campfire and of course a trip for some Root Beer floats.

We finished off the summer strong with Wild Rose classics such as a Timber Rattlers game, FIFA Soccer day, Mt Olympus amusement park, visiting the local roller rink and bunk trips to Scoopers ice cream.  Everyone from the Mini Moshers to our experienced Wild Rose chanichim are longing for next summer to see what the 81st season has in store.  The Moshava Wild Rose experience, where “everyone knows your name” created a comfortable home-like community for our chanichim at camp and we are excited to see so many already signed up to return to their home away from home next summer.

By: Jen Koplow | Assitant Director, Moshava Wild Rose

& Dikla Weitzner | Director, Moshava Wild Rose