Summer Camps: A Family Tradition

Camp. To some people, this word can mean tent, bugs and rustic. But for longtime West Bloomfield residents who have attended day camps or overnight camps in the summer, the word "camp" means independence, lifelong friends and great memories.

In fact, many people who enjoyed camp themselves send their own children so that they can have a similar experience at the beloved summer camp — and so begins a family tradition.

Instead of passing down family heirlooms, second- and third-generation families are passing on their summer joy.

Willoway Day Camp

For children who aren’t comfortable being far away from home, especially overnight, there are day camps. One in particular that many West Bloomfield residents have attended and have sent their children to is Willoway Day Camp in West Bloomfield.

Campers and staff members say Willoway has everything to entertain children. From arts and crafts to fishing, water skiing, sailing and sports, children are never bored there, campers and staffers say.

Lorraine Fisher, co-director of Willoway, said the camp offers tons of sports, including swimming, golf, baseball, rugby, soccer, tennis and more.

“We consider ourselves a real camp in a day camp situation,” she said. “We do everything that children like to do in a fun, outdoor, noncompetitive setting.”

Willoway buses pick the children up at their homes or at designated meeting points between 8:30-9 a.m. daily and shuttle them to the 16-acre camp, Fisher said. The children return by bus between 4:15-5 p.m.

The 42-year-old camp has many second-generation campers, she said.

“Willoway is literally the best place on Earth to come into their own and find themselves,” said Amy Reiseler of West Bloomfield, who attended Willoway for four years as a camper and several as a counselor. “They give you lots of options,” she said.

Now she is sending her children, Rebecca, 9, and Jessica, 5. “I’m glad my kids are following suit,” she said. “Hopefully, Willoway and several other camps will be around for generations so alumni can continue to send their children.”

Addy Katz of West Bloomfield not only attended as a child and is sending her two children to the camp, she also is a first aid staff member at Willoway. Her sons Evan, 7, and Matthew, 10, have been attending the camp for years now. When they want an extra dose of camp, they can attend Thursday nights, when Willoway offers an overnight option.

“There are some kids that don’t like to go away, and this is the perfect alternative,” Katz said. “Not every camper is an overnight camper.”

Willoway has changed locations since Katz attended as a child, but the principles are still the same, she said, and now her children are creating similar memories.

Sessions are offered mostly in two- and four-week increments, with one one-week option available as well. The first camp session begins June 20, and the last one starts Aug. 8.

Two-week camp sessions start at $920, and four-week sessions start at $1,750. Prices fluctuate if siblings attend as well. For more information, visit willowaydaycamp.com or call 248-932-2123.

Camp Maplehurst in Kewadin

Carrie Krauthamer of West Bloomfield is one of many parents enrolling their children in a camp this summer. To Krauthamer's delight, her 8-year-old daughter, Ashley, has chosen Maplehurst, an overnight camp where she had a pleasant experience last year. Krauthamer attended the camp from 1972-92 and said she had the time of her life there.

She let her daughter scope out a few camps last year before deciding on Maplehurst.

“I was really hoping that she would choose Maplehurst,” Krauthamer said. “I had such a great experience there, and now we’ve been able to share memories and swap stories.”

Ashley attended the summer camp for a two-week period last summer and will be going for four weeks this summer.

“I wanted to give it a try, but I was nervous,” Ashley said of last year’s trip to camp. “But then I had a lot of fun, and I didn’t want to leave.”

Krauthamer said the camp hasn’t changed all that much since she left. Many of the activities are the same, and the values of the camp are still apparent, she said. For instance, it still offers water skiing, swimming, lots of crafts to do on site and more.

What has changed is that Krauthamer used to attend camp for four- or eight-week sessions; now the camp offers two-, four- and five-week sessions.

“I believe I am who I am because of camp," Krauthamer said. "I think it gave me the independence and confidence and gave me the sense of being able to separate myself from my parents.”

“There was a lot of personal growth,” she said.

Her close friend from camp, Anne Soffin, 39, will be directing the camp this year. After working in journalism for several years, Soffin has decided to return to the place that had gave her such joy during childhood: Maplehurst. Soffin, who was a second-generation camper, is thrilled to be back at camp and is excited that Ashley will be there as well.

“Camp is an incredible opportunity for any child,” Soffin said. “Our property, however, is really outstanding, and it does set us aside from other camps.”

Soffin said Maplehurst spans 400 acres and has a private lake. The way it is laid out makes it an extremely safe place to go to camp, she said.

“I’ve traveled around the country, said Soffin, who attended Maplehurst from 1982-91. "Nothing comes close to or can emulate the feeling of camp.”

She remembers late nights sitting by the campfire, singing songs she’ll never forget, spending time at the lake and acting out in theater.

For more information on what Maplehurst has to offer, visit its website at campmaplehurst.com or call 231-264-9675. Sessions start June 26 and later; pricing begins at $2,595 for a two-week session.

Camp Maas at Tamarack Camps

For children age 7-14, Tamarack offers a great experience in Ortonville for overnight camping sessions. Camp Maas comprises 1,500 acres, divides children into “villages” for lodging and offers a variety of recreational activities.

The camp offers a variety of water-related activities, sporting fun including archery and ultimate Frisbee, arts and crafts, nature studies, a ropes course, horseback riding, Jewish-related activities and more. Many events are held at the camp during the summer, including a circus day and talent shows.

“My kids love it, they get real excited about going,” said Jeff Dwoskin of West Bloomfield. “Their main priority is to get the top bunk, and it will be devastating if they don’t," he added, jokingly.

Dwoskin decided to send his children to Tamarack Camps because he went when he was a boy and enjoyed the independence he had there.

“I think it’s important to be in a situation where you can be independent and away from your parents,” Dwoskin said. “You get to establish who you are and how you are going to react in certain situations.”

He said his daughters Emma, 9, and Sophie, 11, have enjoyed their time at Tamarack but do not necessarily enjoy the same things he did. For instance, one of their favorite activities at camp is the horseback riding, something Dwoskin never did himself.

For more information on Camp Maas, visit tamarackcamps.com or call 248-627-2821.