26 | OCTOBER 20 • 2022
NEXT DOR
J
oel Kirsch of Huntington Woods
says while he can’t be a camper at
Tamarack Camps anymore, he has
found joy being involved in other ways.
“Joel has been an ambassador for engag-
ing camp alumni for years as a board
member and officer of Tamarack Camps.
He is a great leader in our community,
”
said Ashleigh Imerman, Tamarack Camps
chief advancement officer.
Established in 1902 by the Fresh Air
Society, Tamarack Camps has a goal of
building a vibrant community by provid-
ing enriching Jewish camping experiences
for children and families.
Kirsch’s first Tamarack Camp experience
was in 1991. He continued for the next five
years as a camper.
“You can express yourself in so many
different ways at camp. There was so much
growth and development in all aspects
while I was a camper,
” Kirsch explained.
“I grew socially, physically, emotionally
and spiritually. I wouldn’t have had the
chance to do all this growth in one setting
if it weren’t for camp.
”
Kirsch enjoyed his experience so much
he became a camp counselor after he grad-
uated from a camper status to share the
growth he had gained with others.
“There’s so much change that happens
over the course of the summer, and the
impact and experiences you have are per-
manent,
” he said.
Now the 41-year-old who works
as a chiropractor with his father at
Birmingham Chiropractic Clinic continues
to pass down the tradition of the Tamarack
Camp experience to his three daughters.
“My eldest daughter, Eliana, had her first
year at camp. It’s fun to tell her about my
experiences as a camper and a counselor.
Being able to hear about her experience
and see it through her eyes feels great!”
KEEPING THE TAMARACK
CAMP SPIRIT ALIVE
Remembering how much he has grown
from his Tamarack Camp experience
and thinking about those he has helped
throughout his time as a camp counselor,
Kirsch hopes to continue giving this expe-
rience to others even as an adult.
“The Alumni Committee created a
vision to allow Tamarack Camp alumni to
reconnect with camp friends with a week-
end Shabbat experience,
” Kirsch said.
The Alumni Shabbat weekend, Sept.
9-11 at Camp Maas, included events such
as Kabbalat Shabbat, campfires and s’mo-
res, Havdalah, planned activities and more.
“To have a designated reunion weekend
for alumni gives those who have graduated
from camp as a camper or counselor a
chance to come back.
”
Kirsch hopes this Alumni Shabbat
Weekend experience becomes a staple
event every year. Next year, mark your
calendars for Aug. 18–20 at Camp Maas in
Ortonville, he says.
“We wanted to provide an open door
to welcome people back to camp. Then,
hopefully, to continue growing this event,
bring as many people back as possible,
even those who are out of the country.
”
For more information about Tamarack Camps’
programs, visit tamarackcamps.com.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Joel, Eliana and Sarah Kirsch. Joel when he was a Western Camper. Joel
hiking during a Camp Tamarack program.
Meet Joel Kirsch, whose love for Tamarack Camps
turned into so much more than a summer.
From Tamarack
Camper to Executive
Committee Member
RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
VOICE OF A NEW GENERATION