During this month, arrival to the summer has opened… by bus, in the car, and through the air!
As of tonight’s publication, Adat Shalom Synagogue has been the home ground for five bus departures: two Alaska trips, two Western excursions (with a third slated for next week), and a trek to the upper peninsula and Camp Kennedy (Shingelton, MI). In every instance, the positive energy overflowed from the parking lots as enthusiastic crowds — filled with families, campers, and staff members — embraced the beginning miles for the journey of a lifetime. We’re thrilled that so many have a seat on the bus!
By car, participants at Camp Maas (Ortonville, MI) turned from Perryville Road into “The Greatest Place on Earth,” where, immediately, they connected with an energized group of staff members, eager to meet and greet the campers; and, in staggered arrivals by village, each group enjoyed consistent enthusiasm. Also, by car, our Bubbie Zaydie campers arrived at Butzel Conference Center (Ortonville, MI), home of nearly 48 hours without parents — and filled with special bonding and lifelong stories between grandparents and grandchildren (which, during the summer, offers nine weekends of special memories). We’re so glad that our playgrounds are even more widely open!
And, finally, through the air, from Detroit Metro to Ben Gurion Airport, our Joy and Allan Nachman Teen Leadership Trip to Israel touched down in the Holy Land — and our Teen Leadership Village (TLV) began its trek to some of the most sacred places in the world. Naturally, through successful programming, summer stretches into the educational and leadership opportunities of international boundaries!
And it all goes too fast. Even as I write these final sentences that depict the beginning, our green buses are now headed “home from home,” filled with Mini Campers (10-day participants) that have just completed a session and simultaneously gained independence and established a bigger circle of friends. And no surprise: through so many conversations, based upon the positive spirit and awesome experiences, they are already counting the days until the next reunion. Yes, even in the middle of this action, we also can’t wait for the summer of ‘24!
In the meantime, for this season, let’s build upon these excellent days, which fold into positive sessions and milestone months, and land safely into the best times of our lives. We are grateful that, through our community camp, so many have a “seat on the bus,” where magic is created within every location a Tamarack Camps shirt is worn!