Dear Herzl Camp Families,
As the sun begins to set earlier and the last week of camp comes to an end, we’re feeling all the feelings here in Webster. We’ve had an incredible summer and this past week has been filled with our day-to-day adventures and some truly special moments. Let me share some of those highlights with you:
Last weekend, our B’yachad campers presented a beautiful Shabbat weekend that was truly unforgettable. On Sunday, they wowed us with their creativity and innovation during “Town Hall”, a core B’yachad tradition where campers present ideas to improve camp for future generations. Their audience included former B’yachad Directors, camp leadership, and the Board of Directors. I was blown away by their thoughtfulness and passion. Personally it brought back memories of when I was invited to attend the 1998 B’yachad Town Hall as a former B’yachad Director. Herzl’s long-standing traditions are part of the magic!
Our Kadimah campers have the most ruach, radiating energy in everything they do. From sunrise to sunset, they’ve been living and breathing Shrek and it’s been a delight to see! This week their creativity and hard work paid off with a fabulous performance of Shrek, Jr that entertained the whole camp! They are a fun and dynamic group – we can’t wait to see them all back next summer.
Habonim and Amudim campers participated in a joint evening program that brought out some friendly competition and camaraderie between our middle school campers. Ha’atid campers (or “Teeder Nation”) continue to make us all laugh and their shtickiness is unmatched. I have no doubt that these kids will experience many more exciting summers at Herzl, filled with new adventures and opportunities.
As we prepare for our last Shabbat together, I want to acknowledge everyone who came together to create this beautiful summer at Herzl:
To our amazing campers:
Whether you’ve been here for one summer or eight, we’re incredibly thankful for you. Each one of you has brought your unique spirit to camp and you’ve enriched our community in countless ways.
To our Ozrim, the future leaders of Herzl:
Your enthusiasm, dedication, and love for camp is unmatched. The entire staff is unanimous in our opinion of your group and the work you’ve done: Your potential is boundless and we are eager to see all of the amazing things you’ll achieve in the future.
To our camp parents:
Thank you for trusting, supporting and encouraging us throughout the summer. Thank you for encouraging your children to come to camp – they are building confidence and have grown in so many ways. You are vital to our camp community and we are so grateful for you.
And to our incredible staff:
You are the heart and soul of Herzl Camp. Your tireless efforts and passion have provided our campers with an unforgettable camp experience. Every day you gave your best efforts which brought new successes and challenges. You were energized, exhausted, and everything in between. The wonderful thing about camp is that it is so much more than just a place to spend your summer. It is an experience that shapes who we are. The work you do is so important. The entire Herzl Community commends you and is truly grateful for the impact you’ve made on our campers’ lives.
As the days ahead grow cooler and the grind of the school year approaches, my hope for our campers and staff is to hold their camp experiences close to their hearts. I urge everyone to build upon these experiences, continue to learn and grow, and step outside their comfort zones. Let’s cherish the memories and count down to Summer 2024 together, when we’ll create even more fantastic moments together. My first summer back was filled with joy. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to play this role in the Herzl family.
Shabbat Shalom and thank you all for an amazing summer. Here’s to dear old Herzl’s bright and promising future ahead!
With heartfelt appreciation,
Danya