How did Herzl Camp prepare you for where you are today
June 27, 2009 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Alumni.
By Mike Savitt
As Herzl Camp’s Alumni Camp is less than two months away, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a letter I wrote in 2006 for Danny Ross and Drea Lear, Papa and Mama Ozo of the 2006 Ozrim. They asked me and several other former Ozrim to answer the following question: “How did Herzl Camp prepare you for where you are today?”
My response, which can be read below, and others like it served as a teaching tool for the 2006 Ozrim. I hope my letter will inspire you to leave a comment explaining how Herzl Camp shaped you and made you into the person you are today.
Dear 2006 Ozrim,
I can honestly admit that I would not be the person I am today without my experiences as both a camper and a staff member at Herzl Camp. I look back fondly at all of the wonderful memories that were created during my time at Herzl, still wishing I could go back to relive each special moment over and over again. But since that will forever remain a fantasy, I know Herzl Camp, my home-away-from-home, is in good hands with the current staff members, and also with all of you, the 24 Ozrim, who were carefully selected to continue a tradition, giving this summer’s campers a summer to remember and keeping Herzl the special place it has always been and always will be.
Throughout the next few months, step back and pause for a moment to take in everything that you are so fortunate to be a part of this summer. Never again will you be blessed with such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Personally, I have learned more about myself and where I want my life to proceed through my many summers at Herzl. In fact, Herzl Camp prepared me for the real world in more ways than one. Herzl Camp enhanced my love for Judaism, taught me how to work as an individual and as a team member, improved my time management skills, strengthened my passion for working with children, created my Jewish identity, increased my confidence in handling any situation with a clear head and a calm demeanor and, most importantly, helped me recognize the beauty, the passion and the excitement that is Herzl Camp. I wish all of you a rewarding, successful and memorable summer.