metro >> on the cover Tamarack Camps' programs add to community unity. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Years! Harry Kirsbaum I Contributing Writer Michigan." Brighton. Jewish identity." With an estimated 50,000 Tamarack According to A Timeless Treasure: Deena Lockman, Tamarack Camps the Detroit area, which isn't the case Camp alumni, the Fresh Air Society's 100 Years of Fresh Air Society Camp by development director, said the teen trav- at other camps that actively recruit board of directors established a strategic Wendy Rose Bice of Bloomfield Hills, by el trips throughout the western United campers from all over the country. And planning committee last year for the 1949, property in Ortonville was bought States and Alaska "mold future Jewish Tamarack's philosophy is different and future. and an offer from Frank Lloyd Wright leaders. They go from here to Yosemite, old school. Among the recommendations was to design the new camp was considered, loop all around the country and spend a "We are a classic group-oriented increasing family camp programs at then rejected. lot of time in Colorado." camp. In this day and age, so many Camp Maas and the Butzel Conference In 1981, a $1 million bequest from camps have given up that philosophy," Center, continuing to provide scholar- Benard and Rosalyn Maas changed Camp For All he said, citing a Jewish communal camp ships for campers, increasing outreach Camp Tamarack's name to Camp Maas. Some 1,200 campers plus 85 Israeli in the east where campers go to indi- to alumni by reunions at the camp, and In 1994, the camp in Brighton was campers stayed at Camp Maas in vidual choice programs and clinics that increasing reunions for former campers closed. Ortonville this year, and about half of include professional baseball players and staff outside of the Detroit area. "From 1927 to 1994, Brighton was them received some type of subsidy, giving baseball clinics and artists from A "Havdalah Alumni Reunion" is a very magical site," Engel said. A Engel said. the Metroplitan Opera teaching kids to Brighton staff reunion held earlier in the planned for Sept. 15, the night before "The past few years have been rough, sing. Rosh Hashanah Eve, at Camp Maas, said summer drew 80 people from 18 states. especially for the older parents, older "They don't even go on camp-outs Lockman. (See sidebar.) What keeps the Tamarack camping workers who have lost their positions. anymore," he said. "We value the group "We're trying to reach out to our experience thriving is the close connec- We like to think that we can be helpful." experience; we center it around build- alumni who told us that the Havdalah tion to the Detroit Jewish community, Historically, the Fresh Air Society ing Jewish identity and center it around service at camp was always one of their he said. offered a free camping experience to a progressive tripping programming, three fondest memories. People have the "So many Michiganders have moved every kid who attended, but in the midst where kids start as mini-campers who option to sleep over." away since 1989, and they've moved of the Great Depression in 1932, the camp out overnight. Then, through the A "Dad and Me" event also is planned all over the country, but many of the Detroit Jewish community opened Fresh years, they spend more and more days Oct.12-14, said Engel, for dads and sons parents remain here," he said. "These Air Camp at Brighton to 460 campers, farther into the wilderness where they and daughters through grade 6. families want to have a Michigan con- half paying a full fee. learn to live and work together as a Butzel and Camp Maas are used year- nection. They will send their children to A year later, the Fresh Air Society and group, where they learn the value of a round for groups, including groups from Tamarack, and then have them stay with Jewish Welfare Federation began a part- community and an appreciation of the nine temples and synagogues, he said. nership, and the growth of Jewish camp- their grandparents afterwards. They outdoors, and learn to explore, through "As we enter our 111th year, we're are reconnecting with Michiganders ing in Detroit began. activities, their simply continuing a long tradition that in Michigan, forging lifelong friend- In 1936, Irwin Shaw became Fresh own began in 1902 with a vision of getting ships in Michigan, and the hope is that Air Society director, and the "The most kids into fresh air on Belle Isle, and that someday Tamarack can act as a portal Federation bought an addition- memorable summer for me has occurred every consecutive summer to bring these kids back permanently to al 40 acres on Blaine Lake in was in 1991. I was on Western One. The trip was unbelievable. I climbed moun- 110 Years! on page 10 tains I never thought I could climb; I "Circus Day saw sunsets more beautiful than any- 4 at Brighton. The staff would thing I had ever seen. And I met the most stay up all night, turning the camp into wonderful friends. I was filled with com- a giant circus. When the campers woke up, the plete happiness every day of that trip. And looks on their faces were priceless. The those friends I met, I'm still friends with to flagpole became a giraffe, the playground this day. In fact, one is my husband and was full of circus animals and the Rec Hall many were at our wedding. And now, all became a Big Top. Staff and campers dressed these years later, we have two little kids up as clowns, circus characters and super who love to climb mountains and watch sunsets." heroes. Circus skits based on a theme occurred —Tracy Aronoff Huntington Woods, camper throughout the day and a big carnival in the 1984-1997 afternoon. The day culminated with a Big Top show, complete with acts such a water ballet, the human cannonball, magicians and the world's smartest elephant. The day was pure magic and reflected great energy and creativity" — Danny Klein, Novi, staff Tamarack and Brighton 1987-1993 . 8 August 30 • 2012