Camp Interlaken JCC

Camp Interlaken JCC is a Jewish summer camp located in Eagle River, Wisconsin, USA. The Steve and Shari Sadek Family Camp Interlaken JCC offers a complete residential camping experience for incoming 3rd through 10th grade Jewish children from around the world since 1966. The balanced program gives each camper the opportunity to develop his or her own skills, build self-esteem, and learn Jewish values within a safe, fun, and caring environment. Prior to the purchase by the JCC, it was named Camp Interlaken of the Pines for Boys. According to Jewish Living Magazine, Camp Interlaken is the third best Jewish summer camp in the country.

Camp Interlaken has many specialty staff and a 5:1 camper to staff ratio. Campers sign up for their activities in two week blocks. There are 2, 4, 6 and 8 week sessions available.

Activities

"Lake Sunset," a sunset over the lake at Camp Interlaken

Ben Golopol in a heated moment of Tushball, the unofficial sport of Camp Interlaken

A photo of Lake Finley, the lake on which Camp Interlaken is located, taken by the docks.

Individual Sports: Tennis, Gymnastics, Golf, Disc golf, Tushball, Ga-ga, Archery, Cycling, Fitness, and Rock Climbing Wall.

Team Sports: Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Floor (Court) Hockey, High/Low Ropes with Zip Line. Ultimate Frisbee and Maccabiah.

Waterfront Activities: Waterskiing, Wake-boarding, Knee-boarding, Windsurfing, Sailing, Small Crafts, Swimming, Life Guard Training

Cultural and Creative activities: Ceramics, Fine Arts, YOGA, Aerobics, Modern Dance, Theater, Theater Tech, Israeli Dance, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation, Woodworking, Crafts, Guitar, Photography, Video, Nature, Fishing and a wonderful Shabbat experience.

Tushball

The main point of Tushball is simple: get the person behind you out while not getting out yourself. Similar to Knockout, you have to be better than the person in front of you. Unlike Knockout, you play it on a long flat inclined roof with a volleyball.

The first person throws the ball on the roof. The next person then also has to throw the ball on the roof before it touches the ground. However, they may not touch the ground while touching the ball, like Tips. Tushball was first played in the early 1960s at Camp Timberlane,^[1] but with the ball being tapped like a volleyball instead of caught and thrown, and players not having to leave the ground.

Additional Rules

• All players form a single file line about 10 feet back and perpendicular to the center of the roof playing area. There is no limit on number of players.
• The first player in line throws the ball on the roof. It must bounce at least 3 times or roll briefly. If it does not bounce 3 times, roll, or if it goes over the top or side of the roof, the server may reserve 1 time. A second failed serve results in the server being out and the ball goes to the next player in line who then serves the ball.
• If the next player fails to return a ball, that player is out. The next player in line after the out player then serves the ball.
• Once you have served or returned, you go to the back of the line
• All additional throws only need bounce once
• The ball may be thrown or tapped or have any movement as long as the player is still in the air, however all throws need to have either a neutral or upward direction on the vertical axis. The thrower may not pull the ball downward or slam it on the roof.
• A ball must exit the roof over the lower edge of the roof. If it falls off the side or over a vertical out of bounds line on the roof (on a very long roof) the thrower is out.
• If the next player in line is obstructed from getting to the ball due to another player, obstruction is called, and the player in line before the obstructed player then serves the ball to the obstructed player.
• When the second to last player is eliminated, the remaining player is the winner. Players then line up again and the winner serves for the new game.

Famous Shots

• The Nanner: The ball is thrown high in the air, either overhand or underhand, often with a planned second bounce near the edge of the roof. This makes it difficult for the next player to judge the path of the ball as it may not make the second bounce and fall straight down by the edge of the roof. The Nanner is beloved by all for its effectiveness, and ability to be played by both low and high skill level players. If the ball goes over the top of the roof, the thrower is out. The Nanner can also be modified to be used as a three bounce serve, typically only on the first serve.
• The Side Shot: The ball is thrown in a largely horizontal path across the roof. The thrower may also fake to one side then throw to the other.
• The Stall: The ball is placed gently just on the edge of the roof.
• The Reverse Side: The ball is placed on the roof with the hand still on it. The ball is pushed to one side, then the direction is reversed. Highly skilled players can do multiple reversals of direction. The shot may also start with a Stall.
• The Fake Slam: While holding the ball in one hand, the thrower slaps the roof with one hand then throws the ball with the other.

Notable attendees

Former Hall of Fame NFL football coach Marv Levy spent several summers in the 50's working at Camp Interlaken when it was run by Joe Kupcinet, before it was owned by the JCC.^[2]

References

External links

• Camp Interlaken Official Website

Coordinates: 45°53′56″N 89°24′06″W / 45.898872°N 89.401621°W / 45.898872; -89.401621