This is truly a once in a lifetime year and summer for Camp Airy … our 100th anniversary, the culmination of the three-year Centennial Celebration for both Airy and Louise, and the much anticipated opening of the new dining hall. If that wasn’t enough, our September Leaf Reunion will be the time and place for the dedication of the former Downhill Bunk Row.

There are big things to be excited about in 2024, and it would easy to overlook some other awesome happening as well. Airy will welcome 390 campers on opening day - a testament  to how great Summer 2023 was, and the windfall from the return of Camper In Training Day, and the hard work put in by the year-round team to retain and recruit campers.

The connections created among campers staff during summer continue to grow by miles and years. We are always hearing about weddings and mitzvahs, trips abroad, gatherings for simchas and support during hard times. The camp family shows up anywhere and anytime.

We look forward to sharing the excitement of Summer 2024 with you all through social media. Several of you are involved in camp as staff, or maybe your own kids are attending Airy or Louise. In that case, we’ll see you up on the mountain. 

Looking forward to a super summer,

Marty

It’s a question that everyone has been arguing about for years. Which century produced the best Spades players at camp? Well, we are in the middle of finding out.

This season of the Airy Alumni Spades League had a twist. We ran two brackets - one tournament was dedicated to teams whose camper years were between 1924 - 2000 and another tournament bracket was made for those who went to camp between 2001-2024. The two top teams from each bracket will then compete for the ultimate bragging rights for camp Spades history.

The tournaments are still going on, but here’s what we know so far.  In the 21st Century bracket - four teams remain. Camps Airy & Louise Director of Operations Scott “Poopy” Black and Michael Sidorov will face off against last year’s winning General Jordi Friedman and Sam Braman. Jordi continues his impressive Spades play as he won the Olympic Spades game last August vs. Scott.  However, will Scott get his revenge in the tournament when it really counts? The other final four matchup involves another familiar battle.  2013 CIT Matthew “Mepstein” Epstein and Zach Lippman are meeting against 2013 CIT Justin “Goober” Goldberg and Julian Levin. This matchup should be an exciting one. To advance from the third round, Goober and Julian won an epic double-overtime thriller over Jonah Dross and Corey Schulman.

The 20th Century bracket includes players of a more advanced age; thus, it is moving slower than the 21st Century’s bracket. It has been exciting nonetheless. Jon Warga and Dave Horowitz have advanced to the third round and are awaiting the winners of the Jason Smulson/Mike Kurman vs. Donny Singer/Harry Sanderoff match. Last year’s winning team Chad Clay and Robby Tucker are still in the tournament and will face the coastal pair of Gary Slossberg (from California) and Adam Saks (of Rochester, NY).  Finally, Camp’s Co-Executive Director Marty Rochlin and Aaron Cohen will face the veteran squad of Marc Selfon and Jon Grossman.

We are all very excited to see how this tournament will shake out.  We are still trying to raise a little bit more for this summer’s staff appreciation initiatives, so if you have not donated and would like to - please contact Clay. I hope to see some Spades action at Leaf Weekend this September.  The only downside is that we’ll have to keep our own score instead of letting the computer do the math.

Adam Clay

Executive Secretary

It's not your average Leaf Weekend this year, it's a party!  Come celebrate and be a part of Airy's 100th birthday and experience Leaf Weekend like never before!

Leaf Weekend will be the first chance for many of you to take in the massive new Camp Airy Dining Hall in person, something not to be missed! Of course we will have all the fun things you are used to, like bonfires, hikes, milkshakes, Rocky's, swimming, and the newest sensation pickleball. Plus, enjoy incredible speakers, events and activities. 

However, we've got some new and fun surprises up our sleeve that will be sure to be legendAIRY. There have been so many people working year round to make this weekend something special! Our Saturday night program will be anything but ordinAIRY as we turn the focus to camp itself and celebrate and acknowledge Airy's 100 years. Bring your dancing shoes and come ready to party!  

A full itinerAIRY will be coming soon, but expect some new things like the dedication to the old Downhill Bunk Row, a fun old school all-star softball game, cool new giveaways, door prizes and even.....a little bit of an "Olympic" flair.   

Brush up on your camp vocabulAIRY and get ready for some fun this September 13-15! Registration coming soon so be on the lookout! There are also many sponsorship opportunities available, a great way for individuals, groups or companies to help make Leaf Weekend the best one yet! 

Registration is coming soon so be on the lookout!

Jason Smulson

Vice President

In September, elections will be held for the Order of the Leaf Board. Soon, nomination will open and the election process will begin. Please reach out to our Elections Commission at elections@orderoftheleaf.org with any questions. 

Be on the lookout for more details in a separate email in the coming weeks.

This spring marked the first ever Camp Airy Order of the Leaf Mahjong day!  A great time was had by the nearly 30 players who supported the event, held at the Chestnut Ridge Fire Department in Owings Mills, MD. 

There were seven tables of players as well as a beginners table. A local expert provided lessons to a small group of new players. Players enjoyed a variety of refreshments while they competed. 

Congratulations to winners Randee Glassman (1st place), Leaf member Ruth Blumenfeld Silber (2nd) and Teri Markowitz, mother-in-law of Leaf vice president Jason Smulson (3rd). Each of the winners received a fabulous Mahjong themed prize!

We can't wait to do it again next year! Thanks to everyone who attended the Camp Airy Order of the Leaf inaugural Mahjong event!

Linda Esterson
Secretary