He thought be was an expert.
Then be became a father.
Metro
MAKING MEMORIES
As seen on Good Morning America
Dr. Scott Cohen
Lasting Legacy from page 13
Author of the best-seller
Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense
Guide toYour Baby's FirstYear
Jewish Family Service
Reva Stocker Lecture
Dessert Reception
October 20, 2010
Jelk sh Communi Center
West Bloomfield
Event and childcare are free.
RSVP required for both.
RSVP to Lori at (248) 592-2339
Idrucker@jfsdetroitorg
Copies of Dr. Cohen's book will be
available for purchase and signing by
the author at the dessert reception.
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Leader s in the Making
Algonquin Park. He fell in love with the
area and aspired to start his own camp
there. To help, he enlisted Stringer, who
had grown up in the park and was one
of Canada's foremost canoeists and out-
doorsmen.
In its first few summers, Tamakwa
was quite modest, but the camp grew,
thanks largely to Handler's passion for
camping and his dedication to mak-
ing his vision come true. If Tamakwa's
spirit and lore today are embodied in the
patriarchal figure of Handler, it's due to
the type of man and camp director he
was. A multifaceted figure with a larger-
than-life personality, an infectiously
positive attitude toward life, a love for the
outdoors, music and sports, he infused
Tamakwa with sound values and tradi-
tions that have long outlived him.
Tamakwan Celebrities
Every summer since the first, a large
plaque is mounted in the dining hall that
lists all the year's campers and staff. If
you look closely, you'll find some familiar
names — actors/comedians the late
Gilda Radner and Chevy Chase, U.S. Sen.
Carl Levin, D-Mich., film director Sam
Raimi and others.
Tamakwa also has spawned many
marriages, business partnerships and
even a Hollywood movie.
From the beginning, Detroit's Jewish
community has always been, by far, the
largest source of campers for Tamakwa.
As almost all campers (and many, if not
most staff) have always been Jewish, the
camp has maintained various Jewish
traditions. In the early 2000s, when Israel
was suffering a wave of deadly terror-
ism, Tamakwa co-sponsored a program
that brought several Israeli kids to camp.
At the same time, it also hosted the
Jerusalem Youth Orchestra on tour in
North America.
While growing up in Detroit in the
1940s, Carl Levin attended Tamakwa as
a camper, along with his older brother
(and future congressman), Sandy.
"I gained many things at Tamakwa
that later contributed to my personal and
professional life as an adult': said Levin,
76."First and foremost was the sense of
loyalty to cabin mates and teamwork. I
also learned the need for independence,
not to fear giving adults [counselors and
camp staff] a hard time, and that you
shouldn't get into a physical brawl with
guys who are a lot bigger than you."
In 1939, Avern Cohn spent his first
summer at Tamakwa. "It was primitive
and an adverse environment': said Cohn,
86, who grew up in Detroit and became
a federal court judge. "I had to adjust to
a whole new way of life, but it didn't pre-
Tamakwa founders Lou Handler and
Omer Stringer on the lake
vent me from having a great time. While
growing up, my fondest memories were
my years at Tamakwa.
"I gained a lot from my experience
there he said. "I learned the value of
forthrightfulness and to face adversity
with strength. It was also at Tamawkwa
that I developed a love of the outdoors,
and of Algonquin Park in particular."
Still Rustic
If Cohn and Levin were to re-visit
Tamakwa today, they would likely rub
their eyes in amazement. The camp's
infrastructure is a far cry from its early
years, having been largely rebuilt or
renovated in recent decades.
Yet for all these changes, the camp still
remains relatively rustic, governed by the
same philosophy and core values that
Handler instilled from the outset. These
include a strong sense of optimism,
resourcefulness and an attitude of mak-
ing every minute count and making the
best of every situation.
Since his death in 1974, the camp has
perpetuated Handler's intrinsic spirit
and sensibility, even using many of his
trademark "Louisms": "There are no
problems in life, just challenges. There
are no bad days, just golden or silver
ones. Life is a package deal:'
"I've always believed in preserving the
essence of Tamakwa," said Norris, whose
experience there began in 1967 when
Handler hired him as a junior counselor.
In today's wired, media-saturated,
technology-driven world, being in a wil-
derness paradise like Tamakwa can be
a more powerful, more transformative
experience than ever.
"Summer camps, particularly
Tamakwa, have been able to provide
kids with a lot of stability and timeless-
ness," Norris said. "This is one of the
Lasting Legacy on page 16
14 October 14 • 2010