By Mike Neiman

 had the pleasure of sitting in on a meeting earlier this week with Herzl Camp’s Capital Campaign, Fundraising and Program Committees to discuss a new donor contribution to the Master Plan.  Although the donor wishes to remain anonymous, they requested that the funds go towards enhancing the Ozo program with larger Ozo cabins and a new Ozo Mo (to allow 30-40 total Ozrim) in Herzl’s Master Plan.  Since they were not selected for the Ozo program, the donor wants to make the opportunity available to more bright young minds for the future.  However, with this large donation, there was one stipulation –everyone gets to see what was inside the original Mo.

Now, normally the inside of the Ozo Mo is something saved only for current Ozrim (even a past Ozo can not enter without permission from the current Mama and Papa).  However, with the large contribution on the table, and the ability to finally build a new Mo for everyone, Herzl Camp is happy to oblige and finally open the doors to Tzrif 13 once and for all.  Past camp photographer, Ari Witkin, was given a roll of film and a one day pass to the Mo this morning and I am happy to share it with you now.  Things have changed slightly since I was last there in 2005, but given the addition to Herzl’s campaign efforts, even I have to admit it’s better to finally let the cat out of the bag.  Ladies and Gentlemen … the Ozo Mo…

Lining the Northern wall of the Ozo Mo, a modernized Tiki Bar provides the Ozrim with a much needed break from luggage.  Since 1974, on the first day of each session, Mama and Papa don the grass skirts and serve up cool refreshments to their Ozrim.

 

In 2006, the Ozrim pooled their leftover funds and purchased a used 150″ plasma television to line the southern wall.  If you sit in Ozo Park late at night, you can sometimes see Rosemary watchting “Wet Hot American Summer” through the chipped paint on the Mo’s windows.

Rumors have surfaced about a pool below the Ozo Mo.  Yep, its true.  But did you know it is an underground, heated, olympic size pool?  Steps near the back door take you to a lower-basement of the Mo where the pool lies under Ozo Park.

Sometime in the 1980s, an addition was made to the sub-basement, where an indoor Go-Kart track was added.  This exists under what today knows as Teva Land and the Ropes Course.

In 1998, Ozo David Bender spent countless weeks on the phone, sending letters, and gathering legal advice on franchising of fast food chains.  His efforts did not go in vain.  By the summer of 1999, the Ozo Mo had added a fully functional food court in the sub-basement with a prized Burger King that is staffed 24/7 during the summer.

The last couple years, campers and staff may have noticed increased cell phone strength around Webster.  Although the intentions were good, to provide emergency phone usage if necessary, I think we can all agree that the 2001 addition of an underground cell phone tower has done more harm than good.

In 1994 the Chunnel was opened under the English Channel.  What you may not know, is that those designs were purchased by Papa Jesse Simon in 1996 and construction completed in 1997 for a Webster chunnel connecting Herzl to Israel.  Each year a select few Israeli staff are shuttled in across the Atlantic to the shores of Devil’s Lake.

The back room of the Ozo Mo has always been a mystery within a mystery.  Most Ozrim prior to 1994 were not sure what the apparatus was that had been in the back of Tzrif 13 since it first became the Ozo Mo.  By the mid 90′s though, it was Hollywood that provided the answer.  This “Stargate” as featured in a Kurt Russell film, provided telewarping capabilities across the time and space.  Finally unlocked, the magic of the Ozrim and their Program has been enhanced for over 15 years with learnings, experiences, and interstellar space travel to cultures of other solar systems and eras.

With the opening of the Ozo Mo doors, Herzl Camp is finally able to provide some new and exciting chugim for campers that Mamas and Papas have been pressing for years.  It truly has been a magical and mystical place for generations, but with a new Ozo Mo comes new surprises as well as a chance to change camp for future generations.  I asked a few past staff what they thought and was surprised to see what they had to say.

“We always say the best place for stargazing is the Mercaz, but every Ozo knows that the Stargate allows the best portal view up close of the 9-12 Geminorum Cluster,” Jason Shapiro explained.  “Imagine if we could not only take kids stargazing, but actually transport them to a distant planet or time with all new stars?” 

“Finally, we can teach B’yachad LGT in an underground pool!.  We normally cancel half the program because of Heavy Dew!” Board Member Cassie Benowitz declared.

“It’s about time.”  Said 1995 Ozo and 1999 Papa Danny Soshnick.  “I’m sick of telling kids that the burning rubber smell is just my BO.  Finally the truth can set me free.”

Not only does the promise of a new Ozo Mo add to the already impressive list of improvements in Herzl Camp’s future, but finally pulling the wool from the eyes of the campers and seeing why so many people cherish being an Ozo is understood.  Though, you can’t blame Herzl Camp for keeping it hidden so long … you would want to keep it secret too if your clubhouse served Whoppers and onion rings.  Happy April Fool Day’s and Shabbat Shalom!