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

