The First Fenkell Wedding

I just woke up next to Courtney after a wonderful night at Shayne Diamonds cottage alongside the likes of many counsellors and head staff members at camp Tamakwa. Before I go into last night I feel it is only appropriate to go through everything wild that has happened so far at camp. Once I arrived on the shores of South Tea Lake in Algonquin Park on the 23rd of June I knew this summer was going to be something extremely special. For the first few days all of us counsellors had pre-camp and worked on getting to know one another better, or at least those who we didn’t already know, and furthermore work together in these workshops that get us prepared for the arrival of all the campers on the 28th.

Within the first few days I had gotten prepared in my own mind for what was yet to come. The only thing that I didn’t know yet was who my co-counsellors were going to be. This is an extremely important aspect of my summer because these were the guys I would be spending most of my time with not only with one another but of course with all of our kids. As I sat with all of the cousellors at the main camp fireplace a day before I left to go home for my cousin Jane’s wedding, I finally heard who my co’s were going to be. Jeff Ran, a long time family friend, and Lee Feldman. Probably the wildest trio in camp history but you gotta love it. After I heard the news we all went to our cabin, Dickson Bonfield, and got ready for what lie ahead.

The following morning, the 27th, I woke up at 6:30ish or so and made my way down to the docks to head back to Bloomfield Hills for Jane’s wedding at the Townsend Hotel located in Birmingham. In my car was Vic Norris, the director at camp, Sue Binder the wonderful lady who runs the office, Libby Sadek Von Neumann, a legend at camp who is a crucial element to the success of camp, and Matt Ran, the assistant program director and Jeff’s older brother, who is currently sitting next to me at Shaynes cottage eating breakfast and reading the New York Times magazine. Anywho, once I arrived home after a brief stop at the duty free store at the border I took Dudley for a rollerblade and talked with my majjj about everything that had happened so far at camp and the recent happenings with our family and the selling of our condo in Wabeek. Soon after the chat we all got ready for a night we would soon never forget. We arrived at the Townsend Hotel around 6ish and took pictures and awaited the ceremony. It was an unreal scene with all of my family members including my grandfather who was there in spirit, it was as if you could feel his presence there. The food was spectacular and Matt, Jane’s counterpart for the rest of time didn’t look too shabby himself.

The following morning I had to be at West Bloomfield High School at 6am sharp to take the camper bus back up to camp. I arrived a little late but still in time to see everyone’s parents and all the campers arrive. After a short 8 hour bus ride with 45 ten and eleven year olds I was back in action in Algonquin Park.

The first few days was a little hectic moving all the kids into our cabin because there are roughly 22 campers in my age group and only 14 can be in my cabin so there were a lot of upset kids who weren’t in my cabin but we did a little shifting so it was all fair and the situation was handled, thanks to boys director Jeff Avegian. I have still yet to play in a staff hockey game which is beyond upsetting and disappointing. This is mostly due to the weather conditions at camp but these are things that I cannot handle.

I am going to have a celebrity appearance, my girlfriend Courtney Wiesman who is going to tell you some things about her experiences thus far at camp. When I first arrived at camp it was a whole new experience for myself. It was difficult coming into a scene where everyone has been friends for numerous years, although I came here not only to spend the summer with Michael , but to learn more about my self and met many new people. So far at Camp Tamawka things are going great, the staff are all very approachable, fun, full of energy, and sincere. The camp is a wonderful way to realize how much you can learn about yourself when you are away from everything you are use to for example, the city life, all your friends and family, and of course technology. My campers are pioneers and I am learning so much about them, and kids in general. My campers are adorable and always full of stories and excitement. I am exited to meet all of their families and get to know them more as camp goes on. I am so lucky to have this opportunity to be at camp tamawka this summer, I am looking forward to all of the new and exciting things I am going to the chance to accomplish this summer.

Thanks to Courtney for her beautiful and kindly spoken words of wisdom and passion.

Currently at Shaynes cottage for my day off is Matt Ran, James Robinson, Daniel Berman, Josh Forman, and Duncan Horn to wrap up the guys. For the girls are Courtney, Tamara Grundland, Cassie Freidman, Jodie Schram and Stephanie Gooel. So a pretty epic day off with people my age, for the most part.

I returned back into camp yesterday before I left for my day off from a wonderful 4 day canoe trip. The whole trip was a blast starting with our legendary first year tripper in Scott Pierce from Australia all the way to my boys who were on the trip as well. Each day offered something new and wild. It is unbelievable how beautiful Algonquin Park actually is when you stop and look around. The last night was difficult for me as my sleeping bag somehow got drenched with lake water. So the whole night I couldn’t sleep. I had to wrap myself up in towels which were already sorta wet, and tried sleeping in an Indian style sitting position rubbing my legs. I put on all 5 pairs of socks I had, my rain jacket, a sweater and some other pieces of clothing I was able to find. I look at it now and laugh but what a crazy and unfortunate set of circumstances I found myself in.

But now I am just chillen with all of my peoples for the day before I head back into camp for what should be another crazy week. But as promised I will keep you updated on everything possible that happens that is worth mention. Take care. Vajjjsicles. Nuff Nuffery.