Austin Ruben, KU junior from Overland Park and a counselor for campers entering tenth grade said, “I go back to Herzl summer after summer because it is the place that has shaped me into the person I am today. It has helped me grow up, mature and take on a lot of responsibility. Herzl has taught me so much about leadership, Judaism and Ruach. I now take the things that I have learned from Herzl and use it in my everyday life.”
Sarah Herman, KU sophomore from Overland Park works on the Jewish programming for the camp and is a counselor for the Byachad program for campers entering tenth grade. “I continue to go back to Herzl year after year because of the community or what we say at Herzl, kehilah,” she described. “At Herzl you can be who ever you want to be and act as silly and as strange as possible and no one will judge you. The environment at this camp truly helped me explore and find who I am, not only in a Jewish sense but also personally.”
Other KU Hillel student leaders who have taken on leadership roles at Herzl camp include: Hannah Baldinger, counselor; Hannah Berc, communications coordinator; Jamie Bonk and Dan Lear, Taste/Byachad program directors who direct third, fourth and tenth graders; and JP Held, Haatid program director who directs fifth and sixth graders.
Many student leaders that are active in Hillel have come from a strong camp background. Other camps include Sabra, Shwayder, Osrui, Chi, Ramah and Green Family Camp.
This year, more than 10 Herzl counselors are going to be attending the University of Kansas as freshmen this fall.