People often ask me, “Why are you still so involved with camp? Why do you give so much time to Tamarack after all these years?” And the answer is simple: my passion for Tamarack comes from my heart.
This place has been woven into the fabric of my life since I was a kid. I was a camper at Brighton, Maas, Agree and on the travel trips. Then, I became a TSS, a counselor and eventually a staff member on the Western and Alaska trips. Some of my best memories, most meaningful friendships, and biggest life lessons were born right here.
One of the greatest full-circle moments in all of this, though, is seeing my own daughters become campers here. Two of them are living their best camp lives, and our third is on her way. Watching them experience Tamarack — the friendships, the freedom, the Jewish spirit, the silliness, the love — it fills me with so much joy. As a dad, there’s nothing better than watching your kids fall in love with the greatest place on earth. It reminds me all over again why this place matters.
And it’s not just nostalgia. It’s energy. My wife often teases me about how I come home from Tamarack meetings completely recharged. And she’s right. There’s a spark I get when I’m connected to this community. A big part of that comes from my deep love for our Detroit Jewish community. Camp Tamarack is more than a summer camp. It’s a launching pad for identity, for values, for connection, for belonging. It’s where we learn what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Serving on this board for the past six and now seven years has been one of the greatest honors of my adult life. To give back to the place that gave me so much — and to help shape its future for campers, families, and alumni alike — is a responsibility I carry with pride and love.
During my time on the board, I’ve noticed my passion shifting to purpose. I realized that I didn’t just want to remember how camp made me feel — I wanted to help create that feeling for the next generation. I’ve tried to dream big and stay around long enough to see some of those dreams become reality.
That’s why I was so motivated to help launch things like Summer Family Camp and Tamarack Homecoming. I wanted to reimagine what an adult relationship with Tamarack could look like. Camp doesn’t have to end when you grow up. It just evolves. And reconnecting alumni to that Tamarack magic — whether it’s through new experiences or just rekindling old friendships — has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
We’ve built a robust alumni database. We’ve launched new outreach initiatives. And yes, if I’m being honest, I’m still holding on to one big dream: to create an adult Tamarack travel experience. Because why should campers have all the fun?
Thank you for this incredible recognition. But more than that — thank you for letting me be a part of this journey. Tamarack isn’t just something I do. It’s a part of who I am.
Follow Joel’s lead — join other Tamarack alumni in connecting to the Tamarack magic.
