The moment your child MAKES lifelong memories at Camp Maas
Nestled amidst 1,000 acres of lush forests and framed by two serene lakes, Tamarack Camps in Ortonville, Michigan, is more than just a summer camp. It’s an unforgettable experience for children and teens entering second through ninth grades.
Here at our own Camp Maas, our vibrant community is designed to inspire growth, friendship and exploration. Daily activities include a climbing tower, ropes courses, horseback riding, land sports, boating, canoeing, paddleboarding, waterskiing, tubing, theater and drama, omanut (arts and crafts), music, teva (nature), cooking, Israeli dancing, and Jewish programming.
At Tamarack Camps in Ortonville, every moment is an opportunity to grow, learn and create lifelong memories in a supportive and inclusive environment. And at Camp Maas, campers will live in unique villages, separated by grade.
At Tamarack Camps in Ortonville, our Junior Brighton Side, named after our beloved former campsite in Brighton, Michigan, is reserved for our youngest campers. It’s just a short walk from our private waterfront, sports fields, gaga pit, floor hockey rink, omanut (arts and crafts) and the Farber Farm.
Developmentally appropriate programs consider the natural imagination of this age group — allowing kids to pretend, make-believe and enjoy every day to its fullest.
Campers can choose to attend a mini session (10 nights), full session (24 nights), or a six-week session, and will stay in one of the following areas:
- Applebaum (boys) and Shiffman (girls) villages: For campers entering second and third grades. Each cabin has its own attached bathroom and showers. The lodge is centrally located, which allows additional unit programming and supervision.
- DeRoy (boys) and Fishman (girls) villages: For campers entering fourth and fifth grades. Each cabin has its own attached bathroom. A centralized lodge provides an updated bathhouse, plus extra program areas.
Meet the Senior Staff:
Hallie Steckler
Head of Brighton Side
Hallie has been a part of Tamarack Camps for over two decades, spending the last 14 summers leading Brighton Side, where she oversees the supervisors, counselors and campers. During the year, she’s a middle school special education teacher in Birmingham, bringing the same care and enthusiasm to her students. A Spartan at heart, Hallie earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a master’s in special education from Oakland University. One of her greatest joys at camp is seeing once-homesick campers turn into kids who never want to leave. She’s all about waterfront adventures and creative moments in omanut (arts and crafts), loves a good s’more and will always sing along to Leavin’ on a Tamarack Bus. Fun fact: Hallie met her husband, Bryan, at camp!
Lexie Kay
Social Worker, Brighton Side
Lexie spends the school year as the social worker (and Girls on the Run coach) at Norup International School and her summers doing the “Best! Job! Ever!!!” helping campers navigate friendships, solve problems and feel supported throughout their time at Tamarack. A former camper herself, she later served as a counselor and supervisor before coming back as a senior leader. With a master’s in social work from U of M, Lexie brings to Brighton Side mental health expertise, kindness and a love for traditions, old and new — establishing “Kindness Day” bingo in 2024 is among her proudest Tamarack accomplishments. And her favorite camp things include Havdalah, tripper stew and OG song sessions, but what she loves the most is “That no matter how much camp changes, it always feels like home.”
Mid Side recognizes the progression of a child’s development. Activities are purposefully planned with elevated programming and more “choose your own adventure” days. Some favorites of these groups include Derby Days, Tamarack Idol and a short camping trip.
Campers can choose to attend a mini session (10 nights — Wolfe and Charach Sheruth only), full session (24 nights), or a six-week session, and will stay in one of the following areas:
- Wolfe (formerly Levison, boys) and Charach Sheruth (girls) villages: For campers entering sixth grade.
- Hermelin (boys) and Berman (girls) villages: For campers entering seventh grade.
Meet the Senior Staff:
Laura Charnas
Head of Mid Side
With more than 20 summers at Tamarack, Laura is dedicated to making Mid Side an incredible experience for campers and staff alike. She’s there to support, energize and ensure everyone has a summer to remember. When she’s not at camp, she works at The Jewish Fund and holds a master’s in educational leadership. A lifelong camper at heart, Laura has been packing her kids for camp since 2013 — an impressive feat! She loves omanut (arts and crafts), the baked potato bar and Kabbalat Shabbat songs. At home, she bakes amazing chocolate chip cookies and has even trained her dogs to jump through hoops.
Marni Alekman
Social Worker, Mid Side
Marni supports campers in Charach Sheruth, Wolfe, Berman and Hermelin villages, helping them navigate homesickness, anxiety, friendships and bunk dynamics. A licensed social worker for 13 years, she runs a private practice specializing in maternal mental health when she’s not at camp. With a background in community mental health, Marni has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through life’s challenges. One of her most rewarding moments? Seeing a once-homesick camper leave with happy tears, wishing camp would never end.stew and OG song sessions, but what she loves the most is “that no matter much camp changes, it always feels like home.”
Senior Side offers the perfect combination of structure and freedom. Activities include an unforgettable camping trip in the Upper Peninsula, rock climbing, zip lining and our adventure challenge course (R.O.P.E.S.). In addition, as campers develop more skills and independence, they have more choices at camp, like working with artists-in-residence and “prime times.”
Campers can choose to attend a full session (24 nights), six-week session, or full season (eight weeks), and will stay in one of the following areas:
- Robinson Pioneer village: This is a rustic coed experience for campers entering eighth grade. Created for adventurous campers who enjoy the outdoors, this program travels to Hocking Hills for ziplining and to the Charles N. Agree Outpost Camp in Wawa, Ontario, Canada, for an extended camping trip. The village has no power/electricity.
- Kahn Ruach village: This is a less rustic coed experience for campers entering eighth grade. It offers unique and creative programming, utilizing all the facilities that Camp Maas has to offer. A multi-day overnight camping trip is scheduled for Manitou Island along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
- Kaufman Specialty village: This is a coed experience for campers entering ninth grade, geared toward the interests and abilities of our oldest campers. They will have the opportunity to choose one area of specialization to participate in each morning: drama, waterfront, sports, fine arts, tripping, farm or music. A memorable part of this program is their travel trip, which includes the famous Mackinac Island and sightseeing along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula.
Meet the Senior Staff:
Craig Charnas
Head of Senior Side
With more than 30 summers at Tamarack, Craig leads the oldest campers through unforgettable experiences. A longtime middle school math and science teacher with a master’s in education, he brings dedication and energy to camp life. Craig’s favorite part of camp? Camping trips and — of course — enchilada casserole. But the absolute best part is that it’s a family affair, where he gets to work alongside his wife and one of his daughters.
Jodie Heicklen
Social Worker, Senior Side
Jodie helps our oldest campers navigate camp life. With a background as a psychiatric social worker and a current private practice in mental health therapy she brings compassion and expertise to her role. This summer marks her second year at Tamarack, and she’s especially proud of helping homesick campers go from tears at drop-off to tears at pick-up — and watching friendships that begin here last far beyond the summer. A fun fact: Jodie has a photographic memory, making her hard to beat at trivia!
For more than 100 years, Tamarack Camps in Ortonville have intentionally created a welcoming Jewish environment by celebrating Shabbat, enjoying Havdalah, singing and dancing to Jewish and Israeli songs, participating in Israel Day, reciting the blessings before and after meals, and serving kosher food. In doing so, our campers live and learn the main tenets of Judaism: community, respect, kindness and friendship.
