Big Avoda World Podcast

Hosts Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman record the Big Avoda World podcast from Bunk 14 at Camp Avoda, highlighting Camp Avoda’s 100th-year celebrations, including the April 10 “Banquet of the Century” at Shirat Hayam in Swampscott (limited to 350 people) and Centennial Saturday on June 12 during alumni weekend (June 11–13), plus in-camp centennial ideas still being planned. Guests Paul “Moose” Hantman (1972–77), Lou Dennis (1970–81), Tom Leavitt (1965–77), and Steve Zaidman discuss enduring camp traditions they helped create: Moose Ball (a Gaga-based game renamed by Gary “Tubes” Epstein), Zoo Ball (a chaotic soccer-ball-to-a-hole game later modified for safety), and league competition (originating as “Lou Ball” to mix ages, then evolving into today’s league periods). They also cover the sound-off tradition, the “Hey Bourndale” cheer (now “Hey Bauercrest”), Bunk 1’s “Gink Gonk” song, Bunk 14’s alma mater origins, and incidents and cultural moments from the late 1960s–1970s that shaped camp life.

For all the info on the Avoda 100 celebration visit https://campavoda.org/avoda-100/

Topics

00:37 Centennial Events Preview

01:28 Summer Plans and Shirt Challenge

03:27 1927 Throwback Trivia

05:23 Guests Arrive in Bunk 14

10:33 Why Creators Matter

11:44 Mooseball Origin Story

19:36 Zoo Ball Creation and Evolution

25:12 Voder Tough Sports

26:17 Hey Bourndale Origins

27:06 No Prep Color War

29:18 Bunk One Talent Night

31:29 Alumni Songs Lore

33:03 Flag Rush History

34:47 Politics Meets Camp

36:51 Graffiti Wake Up Call

40:39 League Competition Created

45:07 Sound Off Tradition

48:09 Anything Goes Trophy

49:58 Closing Thanks Events

Hosts Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman announce registration for Avoda’s 100th events: the Banquet of the Century on April 10, 2027 at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott (limited to about 350 spots) and Centennial Saturday on June 12 at Camp Avoda during alumni weekend June 11–13. They reminisce about 1980s camp technology and culture (Walkman, Watchman, Wet Bike, computers elective, black-and-white photography, typewritten Evodian, reel-to-reel movies) and welcome guests Nat “Phipsy” Phillips (1974–84), Peter “Glovo” Glovin (1980–87), and Steven “Peasley” Poverman (1983–84), who share bunk 14 stories, camp connections, nicknames, and Color War controversies. The group discusses how modern technology and parent visibility differ from earlier camp independence, names people they hope return for the centennial, and closes with a call to register at campavoda.org/avoda-100 and follow the podcast.

Topics

00:00 Centennial Kickoff

00:32 Banquet and Registration

01:39 80s Tech Memories

04:19 Bunk 14 Guests Arrive

04:55 Phipsy Camp Years

05:34 Glovo and Peasley Intros

08:57 Bungalow Cabin Stories

10:45 Who Should Return

15:31 Camp Then vs Now

18:52 Nat and Archery Legend

20:06 Nicknames Hall of Fame

21:19 Bunk 14 Nicknames

21:49 Pee Wee Fenway Story

22:41 Guf Origin Debate

23:21 Peasley Name Lore

24:08 Wheel Of Stories

24:57 Color War Hockey Blowup

27:02 Fuse Gate Play Sabotage

29:34 Nat Flag Rush Glory

32:48 Camp Bonds And Regrets

35:05 Final Thoughts And Reunions

40:55 Bugle And Podcast Wrap

Hosts Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman welcome listeners back to the Big Avoda World Podcast and preview Camp Avoda’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2027, including the Banquet of the Century on April 10, 2027 at Temple Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, MA, Centennial Saturday at camp on June 12 (10:00–4:00), and an Alumni Weekend June 11–13, with registration to appear on the Avoda 100 website and a mailer forthcoming. They recap a strong summer with high camper numbers, field trips, close Color War, and mostly good weather, then share 1927 trivia. The episode features guests from “Bunk 14” across generations: Barney Horowitz (Avoda 1961–69; Bunk 14 in 1964–65), David Nollman (1958–65; later reconnected and produced Avoda history videos), and current camper Jake (age 10) with his father Derek Wade. They compare past and present camp traditions, music, services, activities like capture the flag/flag rush, Maccabiah-style events, Kosher Cabin, Zoo Ball, and emphasize Avoda’s enduring tradition and alumni connections.

Topics

00:44 Centennial Tease

01:42 Summer Recap

02:40 Banquet Details

03:24 Alumni Weekend Plans

04:03 1927 Fun Facts

05:32 Bunk 14 Legends

07:14 Meet Jake and Derek

08:53 Sixties Camp Vibes

10:19 Avoda Video Archives

13:21 Directors Before Paul

14:42 Two Sides of the Sixties

15:46 Camp Music Then Now

15:59 How Kids Listen Today

16:58 Rough Flag Rush Stories

18:10 Structured Camp Days

18:56 Games Names Evolve

20:08 Modern Flag Rush Rules

20:41 Services And Prayerbooks

21:45 Zooball And Camp Creators

22:37 Tradition Across Generations

25:06 Cookouts Tailgates Then Now

26:30 Alma Mater Origins

27:47 Closing Thanks And Traditions

Lee Kaiser and Ken Shifman preview Camp Avoda’s 100th anniversary celebrations leading into 2027, including summer-long events, the “banquet of the century” on April 10, 2027 at Temple Sharat Hayam in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and Centennial Saturday on June 12, 2027 during alumni weekend. Guests from the 1990s–early 2000s era share camp histories: Greg “Lazzy” Lazaroff (camper 1990, bunk 14 in 1997, SC through 2003), Eric Steiman (camper 1991, bunk 14 in 1996, last year 2001) returning as assistant director in 2026, and Seth Jacobs (joined later, stayed through 2004; waterfront director and head counselor), with a brief appearance by “Adam Sandler.” They discuss athletics traditions, pranks, alumni bonds, and core values like teamwork, competitiveness balanced with friendship, tolerance, acceptance, and celebrating diversity, plus the appeal of reconnecting across generations at the centennial.

Topics

01:27 Meet the Guests

02:10 Greg Lazaroff Origins

03:09 All Around Athlete Talk

04:47 Eric Steiman Returns

06:07 Pranks and Camp Mischief

07:18 Adam Sandler Surprise

08:40 Seth Jacobs Camp Journey

11:44 Core Values of Avoda

15:00 Why Eric Came Back

17:07 Looking Ahead to Centennial

18:30 Ronnie Club Stories

21:02 What Alumni Want Most

24:12 Wheel Spin Athletics Stories

26:20 Closing Thanks and Next Decades

Lee Kaiser hosts the returning Big Avoda World podcast with executive director Ken Shifman and Camp Avoda director Ronni Saltzman Guttin, joined by alumni Gary “Chubes” Epstein, Evan “Schmed” Yampolsky, and Andy “Stoney” Stone as they trade bunk histories, camp memories, and jokes (including practical bed-wetting logistics like new washing machines and discreet disposal). The main focus is Camp Avoda’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2027, with planned on-site summer celebrations, a “Banquet of the Century” at Temple Shirat Hayam in Swampscott on April 10, 2027, and “Centennial Saturday” at camp during alumni weekend, likely June 12, 2027 (not June 5). The group reflects on defining moments, homesickness support, staff longevity (Avoda in the 90% returning range), multi-generation families, and lifelong friendships that continue through weddings, shivas, and year-round connections.

Topics

00:00 Welcome to Big Avoda World

00:24 Introductions

01:59 Pre Camp Excitement

02:33 Camp Life Laughs

03:59 Centennial Announcement

04:56 Banquet and Dates

06:58 Evan Joins In

09:19 Defining Camp Moments

12:49 Gary Origin Story

16:07 Alumni Weekend Streak

16:31 Stoney Stone Arrives

17:04 First Summer Origins

17:40 Counselor Legends

18:41 Never Leaving First

19:22 Village of Evodians

20:22 Staff Retention Secret

21:48 Generations and Geography

24:45 All Boys Bond

25:09 Centennial Reunion Hype

26:53 Lifelong Friendships

31:46 Support in Hard Times

32:45 Color War Memories

33:52 Leadership Beyond Comfort

35:08 Activity Call Wrap Up

Lee Kaiser and executive director Ken Shifman return to the Big Avoda World podcast after a hiatus to launch discussion of Avoda 100, as Camp Avoda approaches its 100th summer since 1927. They reflect on the camp’s founding vision by Judge Samuel Barnett and the YMHA, key leaders across generations, and the impact of longtime director Paul G. Davis, who ran camp for 50 years. Shiffman describes strong current momentum: growing camper numbers, expanded staff, fundraising, and campus renovations including the rec hall, a CIT cabin, larger cabins, and a new maintenance shed. They preview centennial plans including a spring gala, April 10, 2027 “Banquet of the Century” at Shirat Hayam in Swampscott, and June 12, 2027 Centennial Saturday at camp during alumni weekend, featuring archives displays, videos, engagement opportunities, and digging up a historic time capsule. They promote campavoda.org/avoda-100, a planned documentary by Robbie Sokolovsky, a commemorative “Evodian” edition, and invite alumni participation and future podcast guests.

Topics

00:46 Why 1927 Matters

02:14 Avoda Turns 100

03:28 Founding Vision Legacy

04:41 80s Camp Memories

07:13 Planning The 99th

08:43 Summer And Alumni Ideas

09:56 Banquet Of Century

16:31 Centennial Saturday Camp

20:04 Documentary And Keepsake

23:10 Time Capsule Hunt

24:41 More Episodes Wrap Up

The WHITE team's submission for the first-ever podcast competition for Colorwar.

The BLUE team's submission for the first-ever podcast competition for Colorwar.

Ken Shifman is joined by a host of campers to recount all the action from Desert War 2022.

Hear all the fun that happened at Camp Avoda in 2022, recorded live at the camp in August.