Reflections on a Joyful Summer, a Vibrant Anniversary, and an Exciting Future
by Toni Davison Levenberg, Executive Director
Looking Back at a Magical Summer
If you’re like me, you’ve already blinked twice and somehow summer is behind us, the leaves have turned, Camp has already had its first snowfall, and my Chacos have safely been stored until June.
But even though I’ve returned to real life with school pickup lines, swim meets, staff hiring, camper recruitment, and summer program planning, I’m still buzzing from the joy of Summer 2025. And if you’ve seen our survey results, you know I’m not just being sentimental. Our families, our staff, and our campers told us loud and clear: this was one of the best Interlaken summers in recent memory.
The Moments That Made 2025 Extraordinary
Truly, it was a summer worth talking about (even in November)! What made it so special? Honestly, everything.
Our Ozrim cohort was outstanding. They showed up ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to lead. Our counselors and specialists were all-in every single day, pouring their hearts into our kids while also remembering to remind them (and themselves) to drink water, apply sunscreen, and sleep.
The campers were pure joy. The kind of joy that comes from camp moments like:
- skiing around Lake Finley
- belting out camp songs at the top of their lungs
- showing off their “great Jewish talent” at the talent show or musical
- making friendship bracelets that magically multiple each day
- asking profound life questions exactly when lights are supposed to go out
- singing the Birkat Hamazon louder than anyone thought possible
- finding their courage at the high ropes course
- discovering that challah tastes better when you’ve braided it yourself
- jumping into Lake Finley even when the heating coils aren’t turned on
- feeling seen, valued, and loved by their camp family
We saw tradition flourish across camp like Friday night Shabbat melodies floating across the lake, the ruach of Maccabiah, the ridiculousness of K’far Noar late-night programs, and the “wow, we really are a family” energy that happens when you squeeze 450 campers and staff around the Luck Fire Circle on the last night of Camp.
Welcoming the Next Generation
Our new Aleph 5-day program for 2nd-4th graders was a hit. Adorable, enthusiastic, eager-to-try-everything hits. They brought an energy to camp that I didn’t even realize we were missing until they arrived with backpacks bigger than their bodies.
Early Registration was fantastic with almost 350 campers already registered for the summer of 2026. Our retention is strong, we are welcoming an exciting number of first-time campers, and the momentum heading into 2026 feels extraordinary. This tells us something important: the magic, the ruach, the sense of belonging that shaped so many of your camp memories is still happening. Every summer. Every day. Every moment.
Celebrating 60 Years of Interlaken
Our 60th Anniversary Weekend…what a weekend! 500 alumni and their friends returned home to celebrate six decades of Interlaken together. Generations stood shoulder to shoulder, with folks who came up to camp in the ’70s hugging people who came to camp in 2024. The heavy dew only made Friday night’s Shabbat celebration feel more epic and more intimate at the same time. Instead of gathering in Makom Ha Lev, we gathered in the Chadar Ochel for services. Our voices came together so beautifully. It was a Shabbat celebration I will never forget.
The campfire was electric, nostalgic, emotional, and hilarious. There were stories that spanned generations, songs that everyone still remembered, and friendships that picked up right where they left off even after 20, 30, or 40 years. It was everything we hoped it would be and more.
Your fingerprints are all over the Interlaken that exists today. Every program, every tradition, every moment of ruach is built on the love and energy you brought to camp long before our 2025 campers were even born.
To see photos from the 60th anniversary, click here to view Friday or here to visit Saturday.
Looking Forward to the Next 60 Years
As incredible as this year has been, we are also looking toward the future with intention, strategy, and plenty of ruach. One of the most exciting updates is that we are hiring a Camp Director for Camp Interlaken JCC. This new Camp Director will lead the daily operations of camp while I shift my focus toward the big-picture visioning, long-term planning, and the work that will carry Interlaken into its next 60 years and beyond.
This change is not only about growth. It is about sustainability. It is about excellence. It is about ensuring that Camp Interlaken continues to thrive, innovate, and serve as a place where thousands more young people will find home, friendship, confidence, belonging, a deeper connection to joyful Judaism, and a really impressive amount of sand in their duffels at the end of summer. Rest assured, I’m not going anywhere; I love this place far too much.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in applying for the Camp Director role, please click here to learn more.
Thank You, Interlaken Family
Your love for Interlaken, the stories you share, the traditions you’ve passed down, and the campers and staff you’ve inspired. This community exists because of you. As we roll into our next chapter, I carry all of that with me. And I can’t wait to share what’s coming next. Thank you for being part of our family.
With love, ruach, and gratitude,
Toni
