Session 1 – Day 2: A beautiful day!

You know when your kids come home and they’re really excited about something or they just did something that they’re really excited about and can’t stop talking and they talk at about 100 miles an hour … Yeah, that’s how I feel right now.  It’s our first full day of Chugim (activities) and your camper was running to the start of each and every one of them eager to see what camp had in store for them next. When I write these, I often can’t remember what we did in the morning, because a day at camp is like a week…a week you don’t want to end! We are a very ardent screen free facility, so it’s not like I can take out my phone in the middle of Camp and make myself a note and I’m always scrambling for scrap paper and a pen…which is never around when you need it…or my cheaters, because my eyes aren’t as young as my spirit. That said… after lunch today, 6 Ruach (spirit) ridden Ozrim taught a new ending portion of Birkat Hamazon…hand motions and all…because movement makes for good learning.

After a much needed Minucha (rest period), I was able to walk around camp today during Chug Bet, and I saw our climbing team, at least half of them working with some of our Taste of Herzl campers on our low ropes course, showing them balance and trust games and explaining it away. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could absolutely hear the kids laughing. As an aside, our climbing staff is so amazing. We have two 4th year staff returning to us from Puebla, Mexico. We have two Israeli‘s, one of whom, on his adventure after IDF service (and, of course, Herzl Camp) is going to pack up a bicycle and try to ride it from Webster, WI to Patagoinia (yes, Patagonia). I think he might be my spirit animal. And then we have these three amazing young men from South Africa. These guys are so devoted to Herzl Camp right out of the gate. At every prayer and every song they look for the transliteration and are eager to sing along and join in and be a part of our community and want to work so hard to make sure they’re honoring every little ritual and every little tradition…so they can help your camper have an amazing Jewish camp experience. They’re amazing men and we’re really lucky to have them.

I went into the Beit Ruach (our big gym) and there was some three on three basketball games going on in the basketball chug and then I went into the dance studio and watched 12 young women being taught by one of our Israeli staff members and one of our first year (fresh out of the Ozo program) staff members lead them in a choreographed dance that I couldn’t do to save my life, but these girls were in step right out of the gate and couldn’t wait to show me! As I walked back toward the office, there was an intense game of Newcomb going on in the volleyball courts in the Tayelet, and over in the Sports field (one of my favorite things) is the kick off World League of Herzl sports 2025. They weren’t just assigning teams. The leaders decided to do a proper world league combine. They had to run the 40, they had to throw a softball and pitch. They had to kick a soccer ball. They had to make three baskets. It was as if ESPN was watching them and each one of these kids, boys and girls alike, took it so seriously and we’re high-fiving each other and rooting each other on. It was a site to see and I hope you can close your eyes and see it. I was busy up here in the center of camp that I didn’t get to make it down to the waterfront today, but I could hear the noise and laughter and so I’ll share more on that tomorrow.

I just left the opening bonfire to kick off the first session, taste of Herzl, and Summer 2025. Our  Shira team led with the Shehechiyanu, campers were arm in arm and swaying back-and-forth and they were full of joy and contentment as we closed out day one. We closed out with Lech L’cha followed by Rad haYom (the Herzl Camp version of Taps – for those of you new to our community) and wished for a great night of sleep in SHALOM. 

You know, I woke up this morning on our first full day of camp. It was a perfect beautiful sunny morning in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The orchestra of birds made this nature nerd smile at the grace and beauty of this earth. I started walking toward the flag circle, and our resident eagle was perched up on a branch just over our waterfront stairs, watching for her breakfast, which was just swimming down there in the calm waters of Devils Lake. The sun was just coming over the trees and I knew it was gonna be a beautiful day. Thanks for sending your kid to Herzl Camp. It was a beautiful day.

All is well, safely rest.

 ‏לילה טוב

Tommy