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his previous experience
working with teens as a
coach and mentor.
As supervisor of
Tamarack's TSS, one of
Ari responsibilities is
to oversee the commu-
nity service component
of their camp activi-
ties. Working side-by-
side with the "crew" at
Summer in the City, as
well as Repair the World
Fellows, Tamarack's
TSS rotate in three-day
cycles to serve campers
in Detroit, working with
them one-on-one and
then leading a Friday
field trip.
Ari Cicurel, TSS supervisor at Tamarack
On the first week of
the program in July, Ari
was on the playground of
the Northwest Activities
leadership, indelible memories
Center (NWAC), the former Meyers-
and enduring connections with the
Curtis JCC in Detroit. Noting how
Jewish community. Many of the staff
easily counselors in orange T-shirts
have spent 10 or more summers of
and children from kindergarten
their lives under that magic spell.
through fifth-grade age play together
As summer rolls around, my mom
in organized and individual activi-
doesn't have to ask what I'm doing
ties, Ari says, "When we do surveys
... she knows without question I'm
of the TSS each summer, the one
going back to Tamarack:' says Emily
thing that stands out and that every-
Levin, a senior next semester at
one consistently loves is the Summer Groves High School in Birmingham.
in the City experience.
As parents pick up their children
"The things going on here you also at 1:30 p.m. and the last of the
would see on a typical camp morn-
Detroit campers have departed, Ari
ing at Tamarack:' Ari says. "Here
rounds up the group for pizza and
everyone is assigned a [child] buddy, an hour of R&D (Reflection and
which provides an opportunity to
Dialogue) where they share the ups
make a strong impact on each camp-
and downs and biggest surprises of
er. The connections turn into great
their day.
learning experiences all around."
Andrew, a senior at West
Evelin Gargaro, a Summer in
Bloomfield High School: "I was a
the City volunteer and site man-
counselor at the JCC last year, and I
ager returning to the program for
thought I knew what to expect. But it
her fourth season, says, "A lot has
was more difficult being one-on-one
— a whole new perspective for me!'
changed since our first year. As we
Daniel, a senior at Frankel Jewish
have grown, we've become more
Academy in West Bloomfield, says,
structured with more crew on site
"I was surprised how friendly my
adding their own strengths and fla-
buddy was from the beginning. He
vor to the program. We have a group
really started the conversation, and
of Israelis here as well — some who
have never been to Detroit."
it was nonstop from there on:"
Including the NWAC, Summer
Alexis, a senior at Frankel Jewish
in the City operates at seven play
Academy, says, "What surprised me
sites, focusing on enhancing youth
was right off how my buddy became
programs at Clark Park, the Delray
my best friend, holding on to my
Recreation Center, Ford-LaSalle
hand the first minute we met. Really,
Park with Focus:HOPE, Pasteur
it felt as though she was leading me,
Elementary School, the Hamtramck
rather that I leading her. I was there
Community Center and, new this
to watch over her, but she was fully
year, Minock Park.
there, her own independent individ-
ual. Even though she's 8, she has the
Happy Campers
same capabilities as we do."
What keeps Tamarack campers and
Vivian Henoch is editor of
TSS coming back year after year?
The campers themselves will tell
myjewishdetroit.org, where
this story first appeared.
you it's an alchemy of peer-to-peer
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34 August 20 • 2015