Why Do You Work at Herzl Camp?
October 22, 2010 by Herzl Camp Admin, under Letters from Staff.
By Avi Baron
So as my first and introductory Blog post on the Herzl Camp Alumni blog, I’ve decided to tell my Herzl Camp story, answering the question I get asked most, “Why do you work at Herzl Camp?” or more often the case and more specific, “Why do you still work at Herzl?”
I started my Herzl Days as a Ha’Atid camper in 2001, for the reason most 11-year-olds do things; because my parents told me I was going. After being very… displeased, shall we say, from the two week overnight at a different camp two years prior, I was not looking forward to my upcoming three week stay at Herzl Camp. But nonetheless, with a closed mind, and a mother-packed bag, I sat silent on an inside seat the two long hours up to Machaneh.
Congregating with the rest of the new arrivals in the Ulam, I quickly learned that I was not in a cabin with the cool people I had thought to be my good friends, but instead was put in a cabin with nobody I knew. I managed to be bunked with a strange and goofy boy who seemed to know a lot more about this place and about life in general.
So the first 10 days of my Herzl life were spent being silent and respectful, a small child who kept to himself. Yet each day I would write letters home to my parents, letters that would force them to call Steve Mintz (the Herzl Camp Director at the time) and question what they could possibly be doing to me at this camp that seemed so terrible to their son. I am told that my spelling of ‘constipated’ and ‘diarrhea’ was flawless when detailing what the ‘horrendous’ camp food did to my gastrointestinal tract. Ending every mailing home with the simple and elegant, “When will you come pick me up?” I cannot begin to imagine, now, how my parents were holding up, or worse, my then 13-year-old sister who was stuck at home with them having to listen to their worrying and constant phone calls to Steve.
Then something changed, it wasn’t a gradual change, as most are, but instead a very distinct one. The day for our cabins’ Teva [Director's Note: Excursion!], overnight in the woods, had arrived – and just as everyone was leaving, I finally broke down into tears. Bawling my eyes out as the rest of my cabin trotted off to fun games, one of my counselors, Marcus Magy, stayed behind with me. We sat on the concrete steps of Tzrif 4 and talked for what seemed like hours but was most likely only 30 minutes about my troubles at camp, and why I thought I wasn’t having fun. Marcus retorted that I was actually having a lot of fun, saying that I’ve made new friends, enjoyed my chugim, learned new skills, and even enjoyed the food. It wasn’t until he had pointed out everything I had done that I really noticed, that I fully realized what I had accomplished at this camp in a mere few days.
We walked to Ozo Park after I had decided I was ready to continue with camp, and we played catch (with a disc of course) until the three cabins of the teva excursion came to the part in the challenge course right at the edge of the park. That night began my true love for Herzl Camp. Fore it wasn’t until that night I truly understood how much a 120 acres in western Wisconsin can do for a shy 11-year-old kid.
Our mission statement is true, for if not for Herzl, I would still be a shy kid who rarely leaves his comfort zone, I would have become a Linux loving, socially inept nerd who depends on his mother for everything. Herzl has taught me simple tasks from how to correctly wipe down a table to big concepts like creating lasting friendships. But most importantly, Herzl has enabled me to embody what I am – that it is okay to be unique and even a little crazy, instead of fitting the mold of the rest of the world. I can proudly say that I am actually writing this on a computer running Linux Mint OS, that am well known as a geek and I love it. Being in the wonderful community formed by Herzl has allowed me to embrace my unique attributes, it has empowered me to become a strong member of my community, even as I continue to grow through my Herzl experiences.
As it turns out, that goofy bunk mate was Michael Kane, my inseparable best friend, and the catalyst for my returning to Herzl as staff. Herzl has brought me this friendship and many more in the ongoing cycle of camp life. I love watching the Herzl community self perpetuate as so many wonderful campers come back as part of the staff to give Herzl what it deserves by being fantastic counselors for new campers with a bright future.
So whether you love or hate sports, enjoy swimming or drama, riding bikes or writing songs, you will be welcomed at Machaneh Herzl and learn to express who you are in the best possible way.
And just a side note for parents of hesitant campers, if the letters suddenly stop, that’s a good sign. It means your child is having too much fun to remember to complain about camp. [Director's Note: Here here!] Shabbat Shalom!