Changing to Meet Your Needs (Continued from page 1) The real key to our success is our staff. They are committed to ensuring that every child's needs are met, and we are proud to have such devoted and caring staff: Susie Zaks, Marc Kay, Cheryl Miller, Ruth Grey and David Miller will all be back as Senior Staff at Camp Maas; Mitch Rosenwasser will, once again, coordinate our teen trips; Beth Sonne and Jody Winkelman will direct Agree and Kennedy; and Barb Vedder, who has been the Director of Silverman Village for over ten years, will return in the same capacity this summer. The total number of years experience in the camping field exceeds 150 years. I am able to say, without hesitation, there is no other camp in North America that can boast the quality and experience of Tamarack Camp staff. I look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions, and ideas as I have in the past two years. Please call or drop me a note so I can continue to provide the best program for you, your children, and the community. Hope to see you all in the summer or '94. Harvey Finkelberg Executive Director GREAT PROGRAM AREAS CAMP MAAS HORIZONS "One camp for all ages" "Where all children "Campers-our # are special " priority" J UNIOR SIDE, WELCOME TO Ay ofun filled n ew I sCuAmMmPe M r awaits s villages, Frontier and Kadima, are being built near Deroy and Fishman; special programs are being planned; specialty areas set up, and staff are being hired. We know a sense of excitement and apprehension exists about attending camp, especially with our youngest campers. We are prepared to help our campers integrate into the camp setting as quickly and positively as possible. The counselors sleep in the cabins with the kids, leading to a comfort level within each bunk as they acclimate to camp. Once the campers become more comfortable with their surroundings, they begin to "branch out", participating in village, Junior Side, and all camp programs, along with individual choice activities. "We've got what you love to do" Junior Side is located at the lower end of camp, with easy accessibility to all program areas including Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Pioneer Skills, Nature, f he summer of '93 will never be Sports facilities, and the Richter Dining forgotten, as we introduced several new Pavilion. Each area is capable of specialty areas. gearing programming for our youngest campers, so projects, activities, and Imagine waterskiing behind a beautiful new tournament ski boat, maybe even barefooting, skill development can be age appropri- ate. tubing, or hitching a ride on the Jet Ski. All campers were able to waterski (Providing they passed their swim test; if not, they went tubing Positive reinforcement is constantly being emphasized at camp. We want with a staff member). We had one camper, all of our campers to feel good about who had never skied, barefooting by summer's themselves and our goal is to boost end. The waterfront also saw the introduction their self-esteem in every way pos- of kayaking, along with an upgrade in our sible. This is done at all levels of facilities for windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing. camp, from cabin clean-up awards for the whole bunk to swimming patches The horseback riding at Maas offers campers for individual achievement. of all abilities the chance to explore an extensive trail network throughout the property. Our administrative staff always main- You can learn to take care of a horse, then tains constant contact with our village ride out into the sunset and sleep next to a fire. supervisors and counselors, helping them solve difficult issues, including We are very proud of our Landsports program, homesickness and bunking problems. and we continue to enhance our facilities. A Parents are encouraged to call and new floor hockey rink and 8 tennis courts, inquire how their child is progressing at along with our existing areas, will make the camp, with a timely response from an summer of '94 even better. assistant director. The Fine Arts have become finer, with all-camp Helping your child adapt to camp and plays, Ceramics in our top-notch shop, and having a fun, safe, and positive camp two Arts & Crafts buildings with all the newest experience is the goal we all work to- projects. Communications have infiltrated ward at Camp Maas. camp with our Radio Station, and images of Video and Photography are everywhere. We will continue to promote skill development in each program area, encouraging campers to learn while they're having fun. rig ihb summer of 1993 we em- barked on a very special program. Horizons was devel- oped out of our commitment to serve all Jewish children. Eight children with special needs attended camp and were integrated into our regular camp program. Extra support staff were hired and every aspect of their pro- gram was aimed at ensuring success. Anne Ouerkerk, the coordinator of Horizons, marvelled at the acceptance by these children's bunk mates and staff. Anne said, "Not only did our Horizons campers benefit from this experience but the awareness of the other campers in learning to live and play with children who have special needs is excellent." Sam Miller, who was featured in an article this summer about the Horizons program, can't wait until Camp starts again. His mom, Judith, told us, "I was really leery about sending Sam to camp but I truly believe this was an exceptional experience for him." The Fresh Air Society Board of Direc- tors has reaffirmed their commitment to serving all Jewish children and has directed the staff to continue the Horizons Program. Mr. Finkelberg, Executive Director of Fresh Air Society, has stated, "We are currently looking for Jewish children with special needs who can benefit from an integrated overnight camp experience. It is our hope to continue to accept all children to camp." STAFF TRAINING 4i) 1 taff training at Camp Maas is considered a high priority. All staff are required to attend a one week, intensive pre-camp training session before the campers arrive. It's important staff understand everything about camp: scheduling activities; developing quality programs; learning about the many specialty areas and what they will offer campers; learning Shabbat songs and to incorporate Judaic content into programs; and, of course, our most important concern, understanding our campers. Staff are divided into small sections, those working with the same age groups meeting together. At the many sessions offered, staff learn what makes their camper's "tick" and what needs they have. From this, staff discuss what they can do to provide the most positive camping experience for their campers. We stress our theme, "Camp is for Kids", throughout pre-camp and all summer long. Staff training sessions are scheduled on an ongoing basis throughout the summer covering topics such as "Building Camper's self- esteem", "Homesickness", "Separation Anxiety", and "Creative & Exciting Programming". All staff participate in these sessions, which have proven to be a great learning experience. It gives them a better insight and understanding of our campers, allowing closer relationships to form. Our focus this summer will be to prepare our staff to work positively and successfully with our campers.