By Orli Forster and Lindsay Gilbert

As a camper, the Pinemere Games were one of the main highlights of the summer. We loved playing competitive sports games. Leaving camp was so thrilling, even if it was just for a few hours. Most of all, we happily and proudly represented Camp Harlam. Every summer Camp Harlam continues the fued with our rival, Camp Pinemere. This tradition began several years ago to create a bond between Harlam and Pinemere through our shared love of sports and the desire for friendly competition. We compete against each other in various sports including soccer, basketball, and volleyball (and ocassionally kickball and gaga) to win the Gluck-Miner Cup. Not only do campers get to participate in such a fun event, but the staff can also compete for the cup.

This year, the units of Carmel, Sharon and Kineret (incoming 3rd – 6th graders) arrived at Camp Pinemere determined to “bring back the cup!” after last year’s devastating loss. The agenda for the day consisted of 2 basketball, volleyball, and soccer games. The first two games ended in Harlam victory. You could see the excitement and determination in the Harlam campers’ eyes. The next two games were well fought battles but ended up in 2 Harlam losses. It was all tied up. IT WAS ANYBODY’S MACCABIAH.

In order to bring back the cup (to Kunkletown), we needed to win both of the last two games. The soccer game started off slow with a 1-0 Pinemere lead. The volleyball game as well. At Harlam, we teach our campers nitzachon which in English means pushing through a challenge. So when the Harlamites needed to win, they persevered. Minutes later, both games were tied with seconds left… All of a sudden smiles were wide. Cheers were loud. The cup was coming back to its Kunkletown home. “You better get ready for Joe and Betty, H-A-R-L-A-M!”

However, that day, we didn’t just win the cup. This Pinemere Games truly embodied Camp Harlam’s “win everywhere” motto. Besides winning the cup, we had won in our behaviors and attitudes. Arie Gluck and Robert Miner valued sportsmanship above all else and Camp Harlam showed nothing less than that. 

Orli Forster will attend the University of Michigan in the fall. Since the age of 8, she has been playing soccer and is excited to be the soccer specialty counselor this summer. It is her first year on staff and her 8th summer at Camp Harlam. 

Lindsay Gilbert Will attend Thomas Jefferson University in the fall. She is the softball/baseball specialty councilor this summer. This is her first year on staff and 7th summer at Camp.