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.
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.
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.
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.
