Session 3 – Day 10 (I think): Tradition

Hi Herzl Family!

Tradition tradition tradition! 

Every time you turn the corner at Herzl Camp there’s a tradition. Sometimes the tradition is decided that it’s a new tradition that day and it’s probably not the smartest decision in the world, but there are so many traditions that have stood the test of time and that mean so much to so many programs. Just to name a few. There’s Amudim-Habonim basketball game. There’s a B’Yachad-Kadima Ultimate game. There’s an Ozo v. winner of the Kadima/B’yachad ultimate game. There’s the Kadima play. There’s a song after anyone says the word “announcements”,  there’s a birthday song that is now lasting about 27 minutes and still includes birthday cheers from restaurants that closed in the 80’s. 

But one of the favorites and one that gets talked about for years and years and years is the Kadima wall. Today we got to see  Kadima wall! 

Most every Kadima camper can tell you what their Wall time was back in the olden days, which is what the young camper say to me, tell me what was it like back in the olden days. Well back in the olden days the Kadima wall took a lot longer and it was really just Kadima doing it. Now the whole camp gathers around and rallies behind Kadima as they go through this rite of passage.  Rivalry’s drips away, so much so that everyone starts cheering. Everyone starts motivating them. 

The Kadima campers come marching out all dressed in black and two straight rows with some pump up music playing and they’re not saying a word, they’re just looking straight ahead with war paint on every face. It’s go time! It gives me chills just typing this up. You got the young Amudim and hobo campers all sitting down excited for what they’re about to see and you know, looking forward to what they’re about to do when they get their turn. All the staff comes around and gathers around to watch, even Gail from the office comes out from behind the desk. And most of the mini marp staff is peeking their heads around the corner,  because everybody wants to get a glimpse of the Kadima wall!

You quite literally can’t help yourself but for to get into it. As a parent and as a camp old guy, I see a couple things happening. One:  of course I see the rich tradition that has gone back well beyond my memory. Two: I also see this as a turning point with Kadima campers. I saw it last year too. This is when they really start to come together as a group and the wall was designed as a group bonding activity and you can really see it. It’s palpable and tangible. There is one kid who has been having a harder time following the rules and that kid came up to me and Danya giving us the high five “bro” hug thing and just couldn’t be more into it and you could see that kid turned the page. You could see the group of girls who hang with only their little click of comfort, and poof! The friends and clicks dissolve and all of the sudden they’re all cheering as one, as Kadima! 

Of all the things about Kadima, this one really shows the growth of a young teenager and the understanding of teamwork and community and coming together to work toward one common goal.  It’s awesome!

That’s all I got for today. I gotta hit the sack because 7 AM waterski club hits the water…at 7 AM, ironically.

All is well, safely rest.

Thank you for sending your kid to Herzl Camp. 

‏לילה טוב

Tommy