Tamarack Camps Blog

Beyond Local Boundaries

As a Detroit-based camp, we actively work to attract campers and staff members from our own backyard — and, as a camp that also builds upon the strength of a national and international presence, we are willing to move the “extra mile” to establish a wider community.   So, with that in mind, following winter break, after our kids returned to school, Robin and I jumped in the car — … Read more

A Season of Giving

Are you passionate about Tamarack Camps? Would you like to provide impactful experiences for Jewish youth and shape the leaders of tomorrow? If so, please consider a donation to help Tamarack fulfill its mission. As we approach the end of the year, your gift is critical to providing more camper experiences, especially for those families … Read more

Meet The Hazon Team

Hazon Detroit’s mission is to deeply weave sustainability into the fabric of Detroit Jewish life by enriching Jewish communities with Jewish Earth-based experience, environmental education, stewardship, and action. This impressive team, comprised of Amit Weitzer, Carly Silverman, Ari Cohen, and Julia Cunnien (pictured below left to right), spent their formative years at Tamarack Camps! We … Read more

Staff Retreat — In The Fresh Air!

This month, our year-round staff traded an office backpack for a camp duffel bag — and, as a team, enjoyed an overnight at the Butzel Retreat Center. For a 24-hour retreat, we lived as campers — energized that, even as the fall season began, we returned “home.” While on campus at “The Greatest Place On Earth,” we … Read more

Camp Relationships and Experiences Still Echo

Over the recent Labor Day weekend, I had the opportunity to join seven other Tamarack alumni from around the US and Canada, on an amazing four-day canoe trip in Boundary Waters, Minnesota. While everyone on the trip didn’t know everyone going in, a history with Tamarack was the common thread that connected the group. Four … Read more

Meet Mike Cooper!

It is with excitement and gratitude that I take on a new role as Tamarack Camps’ board president. I’d like to introduce myself to those who I may not have had the pleasure of meeting yet. I grew up in Oak Park – the youngest of three boys – and went to school with many … Read more

Reflections from Summer 2022

5:34 am, August 12, the last day of our final session – it is dark and there’s a slight chill. I am outside, drinking fresh/hot coffee, sitting at a colorful picnic table (painted by Caryn Frishman, Artist in Residence). Above, the evening stars are still shining, and, in the black sky, I can see some faint … Read more

The 2022 Annual Meeting

For the second time in its 120-year history, the members of the Fresh Air Society gathered under the pavilion of Springdale Park for their Annual Meeting. The evening began with Camp Director, Carly Weinstock, introducing siblings, Sophie and Jonah Frank, to deliver the D’var Torah. Sophie was on Western Trip 1 and Jonah was a … Read more

Farewell from Geoff Kretchmer

Dear Tamarack Camps Community, This is my final President’s Podium message in the Tamarack Times. I will be joining an esteemed group of past presidents when my term ends at our annual meeting on August 23. Michael Cooper will then take the reins as the new president of Tamarack Camps. During my two-year term, we’ve … Read more